Grantee Research Project Results
Model-based Clustering for Classification of Aquatic Systems and Diagnosis of Ecological Stress
EPA Grant Number: R831368Title: Model-based Clustering for Classification of Aquatic Systems and Diagnosis of Ecological Stress
Investigators: Smith, Eric , Orth, Donald J. , Yagow, Gene , Berkson, Jim , Brannan, Kevin , Mostaghimi, Saied , Bates, Samantha
Institution: Virginia Tech
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: November 10, 2003 through November 9, 2006
Project Amount: $843,771
RFA: Development of Watershed Classification Systems for Diagnosis of Biological Impairment in Watersheds and Their Receiving Water Bodies (2003) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water
Objective:
The objectives of this research are to develop methodologies for classifying watersheds and to evaluate the ability of this classification system to delineate areas of biological stress. The novel aspect of our classification system will be in the grouping of watersheds by empirical relationships between watershed attributes and aquatic ecosystem conditions. We further propose to develop methods to assess differences in ecosystem vulnerability and to evaluate a suite of biological characteristics that are both sensitive to environmental change and applicable across different regions (transferability study).
Approach:
We propose a classification system derived through model-based cluster analysis - a statistical approach that groups empirical relationships. In contrast to classification systems that group sites by similarity of attribute values, we will group sites by similarity of the empirical stressor-effect relationships. The classification procedure will be comprised of an indirect approach as well as a more direct approach based on canonical correspondence analysis to form regression relationships between abundance data and variables of interest. The classification system will be tested at local and national levels through a validation studies. We will develop a suite of biological metrics that will be transferable to different locations, and then will evaluate their ability to capture ecological effects.
Expected Results:
The research will produce a classification system and approach to classification that may be applied at levels ranging from national to local (states, reservations). The classification system will be directly related to biological processes as well as hydrologic, landscape, habitat and chemical processes. Basing the classification system on sound ecological data will help resource managers to better diagnose ecological stress and impairment. Grouping sites by similarity of empirical stressor-effect relationships will aid in the design of monitoring strategies for stress evaluation. Because the system will be based on stressor-impairment modeling, it will aid in extrapolation of exposure-effect relationships in risk characterization. Software will be developed that is user-friendly and will be made freely available.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 3 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
risk assessment; reference conditions; watershed; relationship grouping; biotic assemblages; ecological traits,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, ECOSYSTEMS, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Aquatic Ecosystems & Estuarine Research, Water & Watershed, Aquatic Ecosystem, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, Terrestrial Ecosystems, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecology and Ecosystems, Watersheds, risk assessment, ecosystem modeling, anthropogenic stress, watershed classification, watershed, ecosystem monitoring, decision making, water quality, model based cluster anaysis, ecological risk, aquatic ecosystems, environmental stress, stressor effect relationships, ecological indicators, ecology assessment models, ecosystem stress, watershed assessment, ecological models, water monitoring, adaptive implementation modeling, stress responseProgress 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.