Grantee Research Project Results
Integrating Planning, Forecasting, and Watershed Level Ecological Risk Assessment Techniques: A Test in the Eastern Cornbelt Plains Ecoregion
EPA Grant Number: R824769Title: Integrating Planning, Forecasting, and Watershed Level Ecological Risk Assessment Techniques: A Test in the Eastern Cornbelt Plains Ecoregion
Investigators: Gordon, Steven I. , Ward, Andy
Current Investigators: Gordon, Steven I. , White, Dale A , Ward, Andy
Institution: The Ohio State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 1, 1995 through September 1, 1998
Project Amount: $445,000
RFA: Water and Watersheds (1995) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water
Description:
The objectives of this research are to test the relationships between biological conditions of streams and the nature and distribution of human activities on the watershed; to demonstrate methods for linking physical models of urban and agricultural impacts on runoff volume and runoff quality; to define the relationships between physical model forecasts and the biological conditions of streams; and to integrate all of the findings into an expert system to be used by planners.Using selected watersheds in the Eastern Cornbelt Plains Ecoregion of Ohio, we have been examining the relationships between biological quality as measured by the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) and indicators of stress as measured by land use and channel/riparian zone conditions. We are also undertaking watershed modeling which utilizes remotely sensed data, the ADAPT field scale process model, and a GIS to assess flow, sediment, nutrient and pesticide discharges on small watersheds with a predominantly agricultural land use. The University of Georgia riparian zone model which simulates surface and subsurface hydrology, nutrient dynamics, and plant growth will be linked to this model and the USEPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) to allow explicit consideration of the impacts of riparian zone on agricultural runoff and urban runoff. Additional refinements of the statistical modeling will be based on the comparison with detailed analysis of several watersheds. Detailed characterizations of the riparian zone using remote sensing techniques will be used to assess the relative impacts of riparian zone versus upland characteristics. Regional level statistical modeling will be refined over the next year including the riparian zone analyses. Linkage of the three simulation models will be performed using data for at least two. Predicted results from the linked simulation models will be statistically compared with observed stream flow data (quantity and quality). We will use the combined results to build a decision-analysis tool tied to land-use planning applications.
End-products (scientific papers, dissertations, and the model software) are anticipated within about two years.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 14 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
water, watershed, sediment, ecological effects, stressor, ecosystem, scaling, biology, social science, ecology, hydrology, midwest, Ohio, OH, region 5., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Geographic Area, Water, Toxics, Ecological Indicators, EPA Region, pesticides, State, Ecosystem Protection, Chemistry, Ecology, Biology, Watersheds, Environmental Chemistry, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, exploratory research environmental biology, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Hydrology, Nutrients, Wet Weather Flows, Chemical Mixtures - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water & Watershed, urban runoff, agriculture , physical model forecasts, ecological risk assessment, forecasting, environmental monitoring, risk assessment, aquatic ecosystem, streams, Ohio (OH), remote sensing, remotely sensed data, Region 5, human activities, decision analysis tool, plant growth, land use, sediment, Storm Water Management Model, statistical model, agriculturally impacted watershed, agricultural watershed, aquatic ecosystems, nutrient transport, land management, Georgia (GA), biological condition, field scale process model, Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), nutrient supply, runoff, anthropogenic stress, Cornbelt Plains Ecoregion, riparian zone conditionsProgress 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.