Grantee Research Project Results

From Landscapes to Waterscapes: Integrating Framework for Urbanizing Watersheds

EPA Grant Number: R825760
Title: From Landscapes to Waterscapes: Integrating Framework for Urbanizing Watersheds
Investigators: Diplas, Panayiotis , Shabman, Leonard A. , Cox, W. E. , Kibler, David F. , Benfield, Ernest F. , Greene, R. G. , Bosch, Darrell J. , Orth, Donald J. , Stephenson, Stephen K. , Lohani, Vinod K. , Nagarkatti, P. S. , Gupta, R. , Mostaghimi, Saied
Current Investigators: Diplas, Panayiotis , Shabman, Leonard A. , Cox, W. E. , Kibler, David F. , Benfield, Ernest F. , Bosch, Darrell J. , Orth, Donald J. , Stephenson, Stephen K. , Lohani, Vinod K. , Nagarkatti, P. S. , Dymond, R. , Mostaghimi, Saied
Institution: Virginia Tech
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 15, 1997 through October 15, 2000 (Extended to August 31, 2001)
Project Amount: $849,266
RFA: Water and Watersheds Research (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water , Watersheds

Description:

The general goal of the proposed research is to develop procedures for integrated assessment of the hydrologic, ecological, and economic consequences of alternative landscape scenarios that occur during the urbanization/suburbanization processes.

Specific objectives to achieve this goal include:

Development of an integrated hydrologic framework for assessing impacts of alternative landscapes on surface and subsurface water flows and movement of sediments and pollutants.

Development of procedures to predict the response of fish and macroinvertebrate communities to urbanization-induced changes in water quantity, water quality, and other biological conditions.

Identification and assessment of policy and economic conditions consistent with alternative landscape scenarios and estimation of the effects of alternative landscapes on land values and fiscal consequences for local governments.

Approach:

The proposed research will use the results of other research related to environmental assessment and watershed management. This work is unique in the scope of integration and therefore does not duplicate previous research. The research will include literature reviews, development of linkages among existing computer models, field collection of data, and physical modeling in a laboratory setting. All activities will adhere to standard procedures. A case study focusing on the Upper Roanoke River Watershed will be employed to test the operation of the system of linked models to be developed. The project will utilize a stakeholders' panel from the case study area to insure relevancy to actual community watershed management.

Expected Results:

The research will produce a set of linked models incorporated into a general methodology for holistic watershed assessment. The creation of this analytical capability will facilitate the development of policy likely to be effective in achieving social objectives by allowing evaluation of consequences during policy development and revision rather than after adoption and implementation.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 48 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 10 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

environmentally conscious development, watershed management, integrated assessment, ecosystem indicators, aquatic habitat protection., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Hydrology, Water & Watershed, Ecology and Ecosystems, Ecological Risk Assessment, Watersheds, urbanization, valuation of watersheds, decision making, sediment transport, integrated assessment, aquatic ecosystems, water quality, design criteria, ecology assessment models, public policy, water management options, land use, stakeholder feedback

Progress 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.