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LANDSCAPE-LEVEL INDICATORS IN SMALL GEORGIA WATERSHEDS
Citation:
Senter, J., S L. Bird, AND B Rashleigh. LANDSCAPE-LEVEL INDICATORS IN SMALL GEORGIA WATERSHEDS. Presented at Georgia Water Resources Conference, Athens, GA, April 23-24, 2003.
Impact/Purpose:
This research project sets out to design and conduct an assessment of the long-term ecological consequences of alternative watershed management choices. As the first project to be done at this scale using predictive ecological endpoints, we will seek to identify the appropriate components of such an analysis. We will use experience gained in the conduct of this analysis to identify key research and data needs for future analyses. We will extend this analysis beyond previous and ongoing studies in two ways: by incorporating biological endpoints, primarily properties of fish communities, and by introducing the concept of sustainability of ecological state under future scenarios contrasted with the present state of those same ecological resources. Requirements that are identified during the course of this study will permit the recommendation of specific capabilities that should be incorporated in a general modeling system currently under development to support environmental assessments. Finally, the analysis is intended to be of value for establishing environmental management choices that will be beneficial and those that would be detrimental to the sustainability of ecological resources. Specific objectives are listed below:
1. Develop watershed-based modeling systems to forecast the effectiveness of alternative management plans in meeting sediment-related, nutrient-related, pathogen-related, and toxics-related criteria and standards, and biologically-based criteria and standards; and
2. Develop and maintain a comprehensive technical support capability that directly links environmental TMDL exposure research activities and products for the EPA Office of Water, EPA Regional Offices, and the States to be used for implementation of policy, regulatory development, remediation, and enforcement needs.
Description:
Landscape level indicators in small watersheds can be used as a screening tool to guide in-situ monitoring to confirm stream condition problems, aid listing of impaired waters under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and total maximum daily load (TMDL) development, and provide reliable scientific information to energize sound local planning and land-use decisions. A series of landscape watershed indicators are developed for 12-digit HUCs in Georgia Piedmont. These landscape indicators are then compared to in-stream measures of water quality and biotic integrity at 180 different sampling sites. Indicators evaluated include impervious area, percent land cover types (forested, agricultural, developed), riparian stream cover, and point source discharges. While landscape indicators point to many in-stream quality issues, a substantial number are not indicated by these approaches.