Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Bioindicators of Sustainable Development Strategies in Subtropical Climates
EPA Grant Number: SU833542Title: Bioindicators of Sustainable Development Strategies in Subtropical Climates
Investigators: Hertler, Heidi , Beltran, Eric Acevedo , Portalatin, Sue Gonzalez , Leon, Keyla Pacheco , Ramirez, Graciela , Torres, Joycette , Feliciano, Pedro , McAfee, Stephanie , Ortiz-Rodriguez, Stevenson , Rivera, Vanessa
Institution: Inter American Univ of Puerto Rico - San German , Center for Environmental Education Conservation and Research
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: October 31, 2008 through August 31, 2009
Project Amount: $9,900
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2007) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Escalating development in Puerto Rico is out-pacing the ability of existing upland, salt flats, and mangroves to intercept sediment and nutrient runoff flowing toward the adjacent marine system. Elevated concentrations of total suspended solids and chlorophyll-a have been correlated with land development; however, a direct cause and effect relationship often can not be established between anthoropogenic sources and ecosystem health. The fitness of suspension-feeding bivalves is regarded as one of the most powerful bioindicators of aquatic community health. Our hypothesis is that increased anthropogenic impacts from land development impair the population heath of the flat tree oyster, Isognomon alatus, in the receiving coastal system. The objective of this study is to sample water quality and adult oysters from areas in the vicinity of varying stages of land development. Water samples will be analyzed for suspended solids, chlorophyll a and nutrient concentration and oyster health analyzed using various physiological metrics. Statistical procedures will be used to differentiate whether parameters of oyster fitness differ among development impacted and unimpacted waters. Student generated results will be presented at workshop to educate local community members. It is the hope of this P3 project that data generated will help guide sustainable land use planning by promoting understanding of the relationship between the quality of the natural resources in coastal areas and land use impacts thus protecting fragile coastal systems and their sustainability.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Anthropogenic sediment and nutrients inputs to aquatic systems associated with urbanization are commonly cited as threatening water quality and ultimately overall ecosystem stability and productivity. Although anthropogenic nutrient sources are rarely detected as elevated dissolved nutrient concentrations, increased primary production may serve as an indicator of elevated nutrient inputs in the vicinity of human activity. This project found significant differences in both chlorophyll-a and total suspended solids with respect to development.
Bivalves are excellent bioindicators for several reasons and preliminary data collected as part of this study on oyster health suggest the flat tree oyster (Isognomon alatus) maybe able to be used as a bioindicator in this area. Being sessile (attached permanently to surfaces), their fitness is indicative of local conditions, and they can be repositioned in cages to test experimental hypotheses in a rigorous manner. We are currently analyzing oyster collected from three sampling events and a transplant experiment. We expected condition index to vary among development classification. If spatial variation is observed, as predicted, the results of the reciprocal transplant study should unequivocally substantiate cause-and-effect relationships between site-specific conditions and oyster health.
Why is this so important? Like other suspension-feeding bivalves, oysters are keystone species that fill a vital link in the food chain of seagrass/mangrove communities, and even modest losses in their numbers are likely to result in marked shifts in the ecology of the system. Hence, the effects of reduced water or food quality can be biomagnified if they also lead to reduced fitness of populations of bivalves.
By contrasting the condition of oyster stocks at several different sites in La Parguera, Boquerón, and Puerto Real, southwest Puerto Rico, we continue to evaluate spatial differences in the health of this “alternative” trophic pathway in relation to land use differences, and thereby significantly strengthen the credibility of our ecological assessment of this area.
Conclusions:
Balancing resource management and development pressure is a complex processes. Non-use value is seldom considered in development and is often outweighed by the value of conventional uses. Tourism is attracted to pristine natural areas. This can play an important role as an incentive for protection in areas economically dependent on tourism. The success of environmental policy is dependent on the “buy in” of state and local stakeholders. The local community must become involved in the decision making process since it is their resources that are being destroyed. It is not the physical differences of an area that determine the success of policy but rather the ability of local government and community organizations to educate stakeholders on the science that is the bases for policy and implement changes to conserve and manage natural resources.
This project combines interdisciplinary learning and experience to empower students and community member to develop greater stewardship of their sub-tropical environment. Better educated student can stake holders contribute to better decisions for a more sustainable environment.
Proposed Phase II Objectives and Strategies:
Rural coastal communities are often overlooked as sources of anthropogenic input to marine systems because of their size. Continued population growth is placing increased pressure on the ability of an area to contain or provide treatment for stormwaters and for various waste streams that eventually make their way to the marine system. Our Phase II has three segments. First, P3 participants will develop a series of workshops designed to engage and educate local communities on the potential impacts of their land use practices on marine systems including mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. These workshops will incorporate what P3 participants learned in Phase I and collect data related to several insightful questions that come up during the first phase. The workshops will include hand-on learning and stimulate discussion among members of the community with respect to the impact they have on their environment as well as that of new development pressure. Second, we will establish a sampling program involving local high school students and fisherman. This sampling program will include water quality and flat tree oysters as a bioindicators. Finally, the results collected will be presented to the community by community members and university scientists participating in the project in the form of workshops and meetings. By educating the same community that depends on the natural resources about those resources, we engage them in the decision-making process and develop a sense of stewardship over the environment for future sustainability.
Supplemental Keywords:
suspension feeding bivalves, land use change, land, estuary, ecosystem protection, public policy, aquatic, habitat, decision making, community-based, survey, public good, conservation, environmental assets, environmental chemistry, marine science, biology, ecology, monitoring, measurement methods, Caribbean, EPA Region 2,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.