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NUTRIENT AND HABITAT INDICATORS FOR CRITERIA DEVELOPMENT IN THE GREAT LAKES COASTAL WETLANDS
Citation:
Trebitz, A S., J A. Thompson, M E. Sierszen, J A. Morrice, J. C. Brazner, AND N. P. Danz. NUTRIENT AND HABITAT INDICATORS FOR CRITERIA DEVELOPMENT IN THE GREAT LAKES COASTAL WETLANDS. Presented at Estuarine and Great Lakes Coastal Indicators Program (EaGLe) Annual Meeting, Duluth, MN, September 30-October 1, 2004.
Description:
EPA?s National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL) has developed a national research program with the goal of demonstrating approaches for establishing scientifically sound nutrient and biological criteria for coastal ecosystems. Mid-Continent Ecology Division research supporting this effort has focused on determining quantitative relationships between nutrient and habitat-related stressors and biological responses in coastal wetlands of the Great Lakes. We sampled 58 wetlands between 2002 and 2004 in a two-factor experiment testing biogeography and wetland geomorphology as classification factors in stressor-response relationships. GIS and statistical characterization of stressor gradients in the Great Lakes basin by collaborators in the GLEI project was instrumental in our site selection. Results suggest a strong relationship between land use practices and nutrient status in coastal wetlands, and metrics derived from land cover data have promise as nutrient-specific stressor indicators. Geomorphology/hydrology and biogeography were found to be significant factors in explaining the variance between nutrient indicators and algal responses. These factors also explained patterns in wetland fish communities.
This abstract does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.