Grantee Research Project Results
Geomorphic, Hydrologic and Ecological Connectivity in Columbia River Watersheds: Implications for Endangered Salmonids
EPA Grant Number: R824774Title: Geomorphic, Hydrologic and Ecological Connectivity in Columbia River Watersheds: Implications for Endangered Salmonids
Investigators: Li, Hiram W. , Kauffman, John B. , Li, Judith L. , Beschta, Robert L.
Current Investigators: Li, Hiram W. , McIntosh, Bruce A. , Kauffman, John B. , Li, Judith L. , Beschta, Robert L. , McDowell, Patricia
Institution: Oregon State University , University of Oregon
Current Institution: Oregon State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1998
Project Amount: $899,981
RFA: Water and Watersheds (1995) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water
Description:
The purpose of this study is to determine how geomorphic, hydrologic, and ecological factors (e.g., condition and structure of the riparian community) affect the dynamics of groundwater input and hyporheic flow in both pristine and badly disturbed streams in the high desert of the Columbia River. Changes to groundwater and hyporheic flow can be detected as temperature anomalies or temperature patches captured in images from Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) videography taken from helicopters. The multidisciplinary team (fluvial geomorphologist, hydrologist, riparian ecologist, benthic ecologist, fish ecologist, landscape ecologist) is examining the causes of stream temperature patchiness and its effect on the structure and distribution of the aquatic community (periphyton, invertebrates, fishes and amphibians). The remotely sensed images are also being used to detect sites of possible groundwater inputs and hyporheic exchange in streams. The team's research aims to explain those patterns and to observe the response by the aquatic biota at different spatial scales. A recent finding is that temperatures of reaches rise and fall in patterns of peaks and troughs in a highly disturbed stream. These may act as temperature islands, fragmenting the normal pattern of longitudinal community succession. This may be a critical factor influencing the survival of salmonids at risk of extinction as temperature directly affects the performance and survival of various life stages physiologically and indirectly affects survival by altering the structure of food chains and the intensity of interactions within the stream community. The team has documented that salmonids in this stream select coldwater patches within both warm and cool reaches, suggesting that the extent and availability of coldwater patches index carrying capacity.Supplemental Keywords:
water, watershed, land, risk assessment, ecological effects, vulnerablility, sensitive population, ecosystem, aquatic, habitat, integratied assessment, ecology, hydrology, geology, biology, surveys, remote sensing, northwest, Region 10., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, Geographic Area, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water & Watershed, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, exploratory research environmental biology, Chemical Mixtures - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecology and Ecosystems, genetic susceptability, Ecological Indicators, EPA Region, Watersheds, aquatic ecosystem, remote sensing, risk assessment, ecological exposure, aquatic biota , ecosystem assessment, endangered species, vulnerability, hydrological, ecological assessment, integrated assessment, Foward Looking Infrared, hydrology, aquatic ecosystems, Region 10, ecology assessment models, salmonids, groundwater, aquatic biota, ecological researchProgress 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.