Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Comparison of the Effect of American Bison and Cattle on Pasture and Direct Access Streams
EPA Grant Number: SU834764Title: Comparison of the Effect of American Bison and Cattle on Pasture and Direct Access Streams
Investigators: Jones, Thomas G , Bloom, Jessica A , Adkins, David , Starkweather, Diana
Institution: Marshall University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2010 through August 14, 2011
Project Amount: $9,997
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2010) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
The main purpose of this study is for pollution prevention. Nearly one third of the prime top soil has been lost in the Unites States over the last 200 years due to poor agricultural practices, over grazing, and deforestation (Rifkin, 203). Cattle have a tendency to stand around in streams and expel their waste. Wading in the stream, these cattle act as mobile point source contributors by expelling solid waste directly into the stream (USEPA, 2000). This type of activity fills the streams with increasing amounts of fecal material, sediment, and bacteria, and is now one of the main sources of non-point source pollution in streams in the United States. In addition, the activities pose human health threats and are frequently responsible for outbreaks of Giardia and Cryptosporidium (USEPA, 1997).
The hypothesis for the project is the null hypothesis. This sates that American Bison do not affect pastures or streams any differently than cattle. The alternative hypothesis is that there is a statistical difference between one or more aspects of evaluation between the bison and cow pastures. To explore this hypothesis, a bison pasture will be compared with a cattle pasture of similar size and terrain, both of which will be compared to a fallow field as a control. The specific parameters studied include dominant flora communities, flora impact assessment, plant cover with relation to bare ground within the pasture, soil compaction evaluated through percolation, and physical and chemical impacts on direct access streams. The plant community analysis will be conducted using the Belt Transect Method. Plant cover will be assessed using the Earth Resource Data Analysis Systems (ERDAS) program Imagine 9.3 and satellite multi-spectral imagery obtained from the United States Geological Survey. To measure compaction a Double Ring Infiltrometer will be used to measure infiltration. Impacts on direct access streams will be assessed using several assessment protocols.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Will be discussed at the EPA P3.Conclusions:
Will be discussed at the EPA P3.Relevant Websites:
Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Streams and Wadeable Rivers: Periphyton, Benthic Macroinvertebrates, and Fish - Second Edition
WV Save Our Streams
Operational Draft Regional Guidebook for the Functional Assessment of High-gradient Ephemeral and Intermittent Headwater Streams in Western West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky (PDF) Exit
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.