Grantee Research Project Results
Assessment of forest disturbance in the mid-Atlantic region: a multi-scale linkage between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
EPA Grant Number: R826110Title: Assessment of forest disturbance in the mid-Atlantic region: a multi-scale linkage between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
Investigators: Eshleman, Keith N. , Pitelka, Louis F. , Gardner, Robert H. , Galloway, James N. , Webb, James R. , Seagle, Steven W.
Current Investigators: Eshleman, Keith N. , Pitelka, Louis F. , Gardner, Robert H. , Seagle, Steven W. , Galloway, James N. , Webb, James R.
Institution: University of Maryland - College Park , University of Virginia , Oregon State University
Current Institution: University of Maryland - College Park , Oregon State University , University of Virginia
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 1, 1997 through September 30, 2002
Project Amount: $697,834
RFA: Approaches to Multi-scale Ecological Assessment in the Middle Atlantic Region (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration
Description:
Our research focuses on forest disturbance associated with recent watershed defoliations by the gypsy moth larva at spatial scales ranging from small watersheds to the entire region. By combining data from intensively-monitored watersheds describing forest N leakage resulting from gypsy moth defoliation with spatially-extensive data describing the distribution of forest species in the mid-Atlantic region, the spatial pattern of gypsy moth disturbances to forested areas, and survey measurements of dissolved N species in surface water, an approach for assessing the magnitude of forest disturbance and its impact on surface water quality will be demonstrated .Objectives:
The objective of this project is to develop, test, validate, and demonstrate an analytical framework for assessing regional-scale forest disturbance in the mid-Atlantic region by establishing a multi-scale linkage between forest disturbance and forest nitrogen export to surface waters. It is hypothesized that excessive nitrogen (N) leakage (export) from forested watersheds is a potentially useful, integrative "indicator" of a negative change in forest function which occurs in synchrony with changes in forest structure and species compositionApproach:
The project will thus effectively provide a multi-resource linkage between forests and surface waters in the mid-Atlantic region using data and models assembled from all levels of the EMAP (Environmental Monitoring & Assessment Program) research "pyramid", including (a) intensive-scale studies of individual watersheds, (b) synoptic-scale surveys of resource conditions, and (c) remotely-sensed information. In addition, the project will provide a clear demonstration of a regional assessment based on the integration of monitoring, modeling, and intensive field research.Expected Results:
Finally, in addition to disturbance to forest ecosystems, the project will provide quantitative estimates of annual regional export of dissolved N from forest lands to major drainage basins (including Chesapeake Bay) in the mid-Atlantic region.Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 24 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 8 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
forest, watershed, mid-atlantic, nitrogen, drainage basin, Ecosystem Protection, RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Scaling, Ecological Indicators, Ecological Risk Assessment, Mid-Atlantic, Watersheds, Environmental Chemistry, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, exploratory research environmental biology, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Hydrology, Nutrients, Aquatic, Water & Watershed, Ecology and Ecosystems, EMAP, Chesapeake Bay watershed, ecological effects, environmental consequences, nutrient flux, watershed management, ecosystem assessment, Environmental Monitoring & Assessment Program, assessment methods, water quality, N deposition, ecological assessment, environmental monitoring, aquatic ecosystem, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program, integrated ecological assessment, nitrogen compounds, Chesapeake Bay, defoliation, ecosystem management, stress responses, remotely sensed data, gypsy moth, interactions, remote sensing, terrestrial, ecological exposure, nitrogen, nutrient fluxes, regional scale, land use, aquatic ecosystems, indicators, modeling, nutrient transport, forest ecosystem, regional scale impacts, spatial scale, temperate forest ecosystems, conservation, ecological impacts, forest ecosystems, nutrient managementProgress and Final Reports:
The 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.