Characterization of critical stressors in the Big Darby Creek watershed using the relationships of land use and community assemblage measurements
The ability to characterize exposure to stressor and lo identify their sources are key elements of retrospective ecological risk assessment. On a watershed scale this effort becomes complicated by the extent and magnitude of multiple potential stressors and their interaction with natural phenomena. This study has attempted to develop a method to simplify this process so that risks to valued ecological resources can be detected, identified and evaluated in the context of a moderately sized watershed. The valued resource in the Big Darby Creek watershed in central Ohio is a high quality ecosystem that supports a diverse assemblage of fish, benthic macroinvertebrates and bivalve molluscs. Three tributaries were identified where the valued resource were impaired based on measures of ecological condition, the IBI, ICI, and QHEI. Data along a length of stream were analyzed for chronological relationships, specificity, strength of association, consistency of the association with replication, and coherence. Key stressors included sedimentation, nutrient enrichment, altered hydrology and geomorphology, and toxics. Different portions of the stream system were differentially affected by different stressors. It is hoped that this and related systematic approaches that directly link stressors and sources to measures of ecological condition will enable analysts, stakeholders and resource managers to more easily evaluate a comprehensive approach to the protection of valued resources.
- OSTI ID:
- 212073
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137-; ISBN 1-880611-03-1; TRN: IM9617%%389
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) world conference, Vancouver (Canada), 5-9 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Second SETAC world congress (16. annual meeting): Abstract book. Global environmental protection: Science, politics, and common sense; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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