Grantee Research Project Results
2000 Progress Report: Stream Plethodontid Assemblage Response (SPAR) Index: Development, Application, and Verification in the MAHA
EPA Grant Number: R827640Title: Stream Plethodontid Assemblage Response (SPAR) Index: Development, Application, and Verification in the MAHA
Investigators: Brooks, Robert P. , Rocco, Gian L.
Current Investigators: Brooks, Robert P. , Rocco, Brian L. , Hite, Jeremy T.
Institution: Pennsylvania State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2002
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2000
Project Amount: $397,304
RFA: Ecological Indicators (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
Forested headwater streams comprise 60-75 percent of the total stream length and watershed area in the Mid-Atlantic states and are impacted by a variety of environmental stressors. Amphibians, in general, are considered to be valuable response indicators. In the Appalachian Region, a diverse assemblage of Plethodontid (lungless) salamanders thrive and reproduce in seeps, brooks, and small streams and can exist in extremely high densities. Unlike vernal pool breeding species, populations of most stream dwelling salamanders tend to be remarkably stable over time. Life histories within this group are highly variable and consist of aquatic and terrestrial egg-laying species with variable aquatic larval periods (8 months to 4.5 years). Previous studies indicate that early amphibian life stages (eggs, embryos, and recent hatchlings) are the most sensitive to low pH and metal toxicity. Interspecific differences in tolerance also exist within similar life stages. If stream plethodontids show similar ontogenetic changes and interspecific differences, acidified or otherwise adverse stream conditions are likely to be important elements in shaping streambank salamander assemblages either through direct toxicity or indirect ecological interactions among community members. By virtue of their diverse and complex life histories, and abundant, stable, and geographically widespread populations, stream plethodontids offer the opportunity of providing another biological tool to assess headwater impairment and degradation, especially where traditional species assemblages (macroinvertebrates, fishes) are poorly developed or absent. A pilot project conducted in 1997-1998 in 14 headwaters in the Allegheny Plateau, Pennsylvania, (Rocco and Brooks, in preparation) shows that stream salamander assemblages respond to stream impairment. A dramatic response was documented in three species. The objectives of this research are to:1. Describe the range and variability of stream plethodontid assemblage responses (SPAR) across commonly encountered gradients of anthropogenic degradation (stream acidification, forest and riparian corridor fragmentation and degradation, pollution, etc.) in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands Area (MAHA).
2. Develop and adjust SPAR for use in MAHA headwaters.
3. Evaluate the reliability and resolution of SPAR by application and verification.
Progress Summary:
Site selection began in the fall of 1999. Ideally, the stream set would meet several criteria. The set would be based on an unbiased and random sample and cover a broad range of ecological conditions found in the MAHA. Information regarding stream site ecological condition would be available. Following some research, it became evident that the MAHA Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) wadeable stream sample survey conducted in 1993-1996 provided an outstanding set of stream sites which matched all three criteria.In the EMAP study, wadeable stream sites were selected by a randomized, probability-based design (Herlihy, et al., 2000). Thus, measurements obtained at the 509 stream sites allow inference on environmental condition for 184,600 km of mapped, wadeable stream length in the region. Streams sites cover a broad range of ecological conditions. Better yet, due to the extensive sampling effort, a large body of ecological information exists for each stream site. GIS-based land use metrics, stream chemistry, benthic and fish metrics, and fish tissue contaminants data (metals, organics) are readily available from a number of EPA researches and Web sites.
Given the above, site selection was based on this unique sample of streams. Because this study targets small headwaters, streams draining watersheds larger than 3 km2 were excluded from further consideration. The limited availability of relevant ecological data for streams sampled in the later years of the EMAP study (1995-1996) also restricted selection to streams sampled in 1993 and 1994. Data for the later sampled streams should become available by 2001. Additional constraints related to ecoregion, subecoregion, even spatial spread, and inferred ecological condition resulted in the initial selection of 55 stream sites in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Landowner information on file at the Wheeling, WV, EPA Office was used effectively to identify and contact landowners to ensure property access and to apply for the necessary state and federal collecting permits. Without this information, this phase of the project could not have been completed in as efficient or timely manner. In retrospect, access to the landowner data alone, was worth using the EMAP stream study, although the other benefits were substantial.
Sampling of stream sites began on May 30, 2000 and continued through August 10. A total of 44 stream sites were sampled during 48 days in the field (Table 1, Figure 1). Stream sites were situated on four Level III ecoregions; Blue Ridge Mountains (n = 2), the Central Appalachians (n = 14), the Northern Appalachians (n = 14), and the Ridge and Valley (n = 18). These areas also corresponded to 16, Level IV sub-ecoregions (Woods and Omernik, 1996). Stream site watersheds ranged from 0 - 100 percent forest cover; agricultural and urban cover composed 0 - 100 percent and 0 - 40 percent, respectively. Stream site elevation ranged from 148 m in the Ridge and Valley to 1,166 m in the Central Appalachians. Stream chemistry was also highly variable, as reflected by the following range of values; pH = 4.77 - 8.44; Cl = 9 - 774 mg/l; SO4 = 49 - 3,777 mg/l; P (total) = 0 - 203 mg/l; N (total) = 76 - 9,130 mg/l.
Table 1. Summary of MAHA stream site data by ecoregion (Level 3).
Each stream site was sampled only once and only at the stream location corresponding to the EMAP stream site coordinates. A hand-held global positioning system (GPS) was used to navigate to stream sites. Sampling along approximately 100 m of stream corridor entailed the collection of stream salamanders, qualitative macroinvertebrate community sampling, stream channel physical characterization, and measurement of a number of climatic and water quality variables. Salamanders of all life stages were collected from terrestrial and aquatic portions of three, 4 m2 rectangular plots (2 m x 2 m). Only riffle and run areas were sampled. Specimens showing limb deformities, supernumerary limbs, or disease were vouchered for future examination. Specimens were collected and preserved from about 20 percent of the stream sites. Macroinvertebrates were sampled according to Christ, et al. (1998) using a 25 x 45 cm Water Mark Bottom Aquatic Kick Net fitted with 500 micron mesh. Measurements related to stream and bank habitat were recorded according to Anderson, et al. (1999). Salamander plots also were photographed before searches began to allow calculation of percent cover in the future. Climatic variables measured at each plot included ambient, surface, and soil temperature, and ambient and surface relative humidity. Stream water temperature, pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen were determined in the field. Grab sample(s) also were collected. These were analyzed according to EPA approved methodologies by the Penn State Water Quality Laboratory for the following attributes: pH, alkalinity, acidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids, Ca, Mg, Na, K, NH3, NO3-N, SO4, DOC, Fe, Mn, Al. Grab samples were delivered under ice within 48 hours of sample collection or were immediately frozen. Samples collected for metals concentration were
filtered (0.45 um) prior to acidification. All sampling containers were obtained from the Penn State Water Testing Laboratory, an EPA-approved facility.
Macroinvertebrate sorting, measurement/enumeration of preserved amphibian specimens, and data entry began in early August and have been completed, are in progress, or in their final stages depending on sets of variables.
Acknowledgments: Special thanks is extended to Jeremy T. Hite (B.S) and Ryan R. Zerbe (B.S), Research Technicians, for their enthusiasm and hard work in the field. This research has been supported by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program.
Future Activities:
Preliminary compilation and analysis of data collected in the summer of 2000, await completion of laboratory work or entry of related data. Once complete, presentation of this material could occur in the summer or fall of 2001. Site selection and subsequent landowner contact for sites scheduled to be sampled in 2001, will commence in early 2001. It is hoped that by the time this process begins, necessary data for MAHA stream sites sampled in 1995-1996 will be available. Selection and contact of volunteers willing to assist with Phase II of this study will probably begin in 2001. We are expecting to work very closely with the Patuxent Research Center to make this phase of the study possible. The Center has a well established volunteer base in many northeastern states.Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 7 publications | 4 publications in selected types | All 1 journal articles |
---|
Type | Citation | ||
---|---|---|---|
|
Herlihy AT, Larsen DP, Paulsen SG, Urquhart NS, Rosenbaum BJ. Designing a spatially balanced, randomized site selection process for regional stream surveys: The EMAP mid-Atlantic pilot study. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2000;63(1):95-113. |
R827640 (2000) R827640 (2001) |
Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
EMAP, Mid-Atlantic, stream surveys., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Hydrology, Ecology, Environmental Chemistry, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Microbiology, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecological Indicators, ecological exposure, forested headwater ecosystems, aquatic biota , watersheds, amphibians, MAHA, stream ecosystems, salamander population, ecosystem indicators, aquatic ecosystemsRelevant Websites:
http://www.mp1-pwrc.usgs.gov/amphib/naamp4/papers/ROCCO.htmProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.