Grantee Research Project Results
1999 Progress Report: Using bioindicators to develop a calibrated index of regional ecological integrity for forested headwater ecosystems
EPA Grant Number: R825866Title: Using bioindicators to develop a calibrated index of regional ecological integrity for forested headwater ecosystems
Investigators: Brooks, Robert P. , Master, Terry L. , Mulvihill, Robert S.
Current Investigators: Brooks, Robert P. , Mulvihill, Robert S. , Master, Terry L. , OConnell, Timothy J. , Laubscher, Susan E.
Institution: Pennsylvania State University , Powdermill Nature Reserve , East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Current Institution: Pennsylvania State University , East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania , Powdermill Nature Reserve
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: June 1, 1998 through May 31, 2001 (Extended to September 30, 2002)
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 1, 1998 through May 31, 1999
Project Amount: $850,000
RFA: Ecosystem Indicators (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
This project involves the development of an integrated and calibrated indicator of ecological integrity for forested headwater streams in the Mid-Atlantic States. Ecological indicators provide a quick, objective, and relatively easy method to gauge the condition of a particular resource, and aid greatly in the establishment of conservation priorities and the development of restoration goals. Headwater systems are degraded by point source stressors, like acid mine drainage, and also by more cumulative and insidious stressors that operate at large scales, such as forest fragmentation. Ecological indicators exist that respond to site-level attributes, such as water quality. Recently, new indicators have emerged that respond to landscape-scale attributes, such as bird communities. We are investigating the utility of a new indicator that would be sensitive to stressors at both the site- and landscape-scale in forested headwaters (i.e., integrated). This indicator is being developed through application of existing indicators such that the assessments of multiple indicators can be compared directly (i.e., calibrated). Primarily due to its dependence on both high streamwater quality and large patches of mature forest, we see great potential in the Louisiana Waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla) to provide meaningful biological data to incorporate in our new indicator. Thus, our primary objective is to investigate aspects of Louisiana Waterthrush (a.k.a. LOWA) ecology as the basis for a calibrated and integrated indicator of forested headwater stream condition.
Progress Summary:
We studied LOWA on forested headwater streams in three physiographic provinces of Pennsylvania between March and July of 1999. We studied 6 streams in northeastern Pennsylvania, 7 streams in central Pennsylvania, and 10 streams in southwestern Pennsylvania. These streams were selected to represent either: (1) high water quality in large patches of interior forest; (2) high water quality in a relatively fragmented forest setting; or (3) low water quality in large patches of interior forest. Low water quality in our sample streams is due to low pH, primarily resulting from acid mine drainage in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The 1999 field season included important research developments and advancements in our understanding of LOWA biology. In 1999, we completed invertebrate identification from our 1998 macroinvertebrate sampling in the Central and Eastern study areas. We expect macroinvertebrate identification from the Western study area to be completed in the near future. As an example of the diversity in these samples, our 1998 macroinvertebrate characterization for the Central study area included 9,862 individuals in 180 genera, 83 families, 18 orders, 9 classes, and 4 phyla. Characterization of macroinvertebrate samples collected in 1999 is underway; when these are completed, we will be able to submit the data to established indices of biotic integrity for an independent assessment of condition in our study streams.
Also in 1999, we experienced firsthand how reproductive success can vary through time. Quite uncharacteristic of the prior year's data on LOWA breeding biology, nest predation rates were high in all three study areas. In some instances, not only were entire clutches lost, but the incubating female was taken as well. High nest predation rates suppressed estimates of reproductive success and, at least in the Central study area, greatly reduced the number of birds we were able to band. Nest predation rates were elevated, on both reference and impacted streams, in all three study areas. In the Central study area, the evidence suggests that mink (Mustela vison) are the culprit predators. We speculate that mink have become locally (and perhaps regionally) abundant following a succession of mild winters.
Additional data collected in 1999 include: LOWA behavioral observations, bird community characterizations, and territory mapping of other riparian songbirds on our study streams, such as the Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius), Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis), Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina), Northern Waterthrush (Seiurus noveboracensis), and Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis). We also collected data on ground cover (including herbaceous vegetation), shrubs, and trees and applied the LOWA Habitat Suitability Index to three systematic sampling locations along each stream. We determined wetted perimeter as an index to stream width at the instream macroinvertebrate sampling locations, applied Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Rapid Bioassessment habitat assessment for high-gradient streams at the instream macroinvertebrate sampling locations, and applied EPA Physical Characterization/Water Quality assessment at the instream macroinvertebrate sampling locations.
Future Activities:
At this time, we are looking forward to the 2000 field season, the third and final season on this project. We expect that this field season will reveal more surprises, but also confirm hypotheses we have developed regarding issues such as site fidelity and nest placement. In the upcoming year, we will develop our IBI and examine its relationship to land cover pattern and the habitat attributes we have measured from the ground. We also will explore genetic variability both within and among LOWA family groups.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 39 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
watersheds, animal, population, stressor, discharge, acid rain, particulates, pH, ecosystem, indicators, restoration, scaling, aquatic, habitat, integrated assessment, conservation, ecology, modeling, monitoring, surveys, Mid-Atlantic, EPA Region 3, Chesapeake Bay, Delaware River, Susquehanna River, Ohio River, Pennsylvania, PA, MAHA, MAIA, BCI, macroinvertebrate, bird, community, Louisiana Waterthrush, LOWA, Seiurus motacilla, riparian, mining, forest fragmentation, headwater streams, bird banding., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water & Watershed, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, State, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Monitoring/Modeling, Ecological Risk Assessment, Watersheds, Ecological Indicators, bioindicator, forested headwater ecosystems, landscape indicator, stressors, avian productivity, biodiversity, macroinvertebrates, ecosystem indicators, regional scale, Louisiana (LA), aquatic ecosystems, water quality, forested watershedRelevant Websites:
http://www.wetlands.cas.psu.edu
http://www.clpgh.org/cmnh/powdermill/avianresearch.htm
Progress 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.