Lessons learned from 20 y of monitoring suburban development with distributed stormwater management in Clarksburg, Maryland, USA

Freshwater Science, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 41(3), С. 459 - 476

Опубликована: Фев. 2, 2022

Urban development is a well-known stressor for stream ecosystems, presenting challenge to managers tasked with mitigating its effects. For the past 20 y, streamflow, water quality, geomorphology, and benthic communities were monitored in 5 watersheds Montgomery County, Maryland, USA. This study presents synthesis of multiple studies monitoring efforts area new analysis more recent data document primary lessons learned from monitoring. The include forested control, an urban control centralized stormwater management, 3 suburban treatment featuring low-impact high density infiltration-focused facilities distributed across watershed. Treatment before development, during construction, after development. Monitoring was initiated inform adaptive management impervious cover limits within area, focus on impacts management. Results our indicate that advantageous compared numerous ways. Hydrologic benefits greater infrastructure, demonstrating ability mitigate runoff volumes peak flows and, small storms, replicate predevelopment conditions. Baseflow temporarily increased construction phase watersheds. Water-quality mixed, declines baseflow nitrate concentrations but limited changes export increases specific conductance Substantial topographic occurred watersheds, including riparian zone, despite buffer protections. Ecological indicated even though index biotic integrity scores rebounded some cases, sensitive macroinvertebrate families did not fully recover Lessons this highlight importance tracking indicators health considering land use watershed beneficial cannot effects all stressors aquatic ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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Explainable machine learning improves interpretability in the predictive modeling of biological stream conditions in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, USA

Journal of Environmental Management, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 322, С. 116068 - 116068

Опубликована: Сен. 1, 2022

Anthropogenic alterations have resulted in widespread degradation of stream conditions. To aid restoration and management, baseline estimates conditions improved explanation factors driving their are needed. We used random forests to model biological using a benthic macroinvertebrate index biotic integrity for small, non-tidal streams (upstream area ≤200 km2) the Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW) mid-Atlantic coast North America. utilized several global local interpretation tools improve average site-specific inferences, respectively. The was predict condition 95,867 individual catchments eight periods (2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2019). Predicted were classified as Poor, FairGood, or Uncertain align with management needs reach lengths catchment areas summed by class CBW each period. Global permutation Shapley importance values indicated percent forest, development, agriculture upstream had strong impacts on predictions. Development negatively influenced (partial dependence [PD] accumulated effect [ALE] plots) (individual expectation value levels. Friedman's H-statistic large overall interactions these three land covers, bivariate plots (PD ALE) supported among development. Total length predicted FairGood decreased then increased over 19-years (length/area: 66.6/65.4% 2001, 66.3/65.2% Examination predictions between 2001 2019 showed those largest decreases increases development; whereas exhibit moderate forest cover. Use interpretative methods together watershed-wide support conservation practitioners that need identify localized patterns, especially acknowledging actions typically take place at individual-reach scales.

Язык: Английский

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Estimating biotic integrity to capture existence value of freshwater ecosystems

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 120(18)

Опубликована: Апрель 24, 2023

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses a water quality index (WQI) to estimate benefits of proposed Clean Water Act regulations. WQI is relevant human use value, such as recreation, but may not fully capture aspects nonuse existence value. Here, we identify an biological integrity supplement the in forthcoming national stated preference survey that seeks value streams and lakes more accurately within conterminous United States (CONUS). We used literature focus group research evaluate aquatic indices regularly reported by EPA’s National Aquatic Resource Surveys. chose quantifies loss biodiversity observed-to-expected (O/E) ratio taxonomic composition because participants easily understood its meaning environmental changes would result incremental improvements. However, available datasets this do provide spatial coverage account for how conditions near respondents affect their willingness pay improvement. Therefore, modeled interpolated values from sampled sites 1.1 million stream segments 297,071 across CONUS required coverage. models explained 13 36% variation O/E scores demonstrate modeling can data at density estimation. close discussing future work improve performance link condition with habitat will allow us forecast resulting regulatory options.

Язык: Английский

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Disentangling the potential effects of land‐use and climate change on stream conditions

Global Change Biology, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 26(4), С. 2251 - 2269

Опубликована: Янв. 19, 2020

Abstract Land‐use and climate change are significantly affecting stream ecosystems, yet understanding of their long‐term impacts is hindered by the few studies that have simultaneously investigated interaction high variability among future projections. We modeled possible effects a suite 2030, 2060, 2090 land‐use scenarios on condition 70,772 small streams in Chesapeake Bay watershed, United States. The Basin‐wide Index Biotic Integrity, benthic macroinvertebrate multimetric index, was used to represent condition. included four Special Report Emissions Scenarios (A1B, A2, B1, B2) representing range potential landscape futures. Future quartiles changes from downscaled Coupled Model Intercomparison Project ‐ Phase 5 (CMIP5) watershed‐wide uniform scenario (Lynch2016). employed random forests analysis model individual combined conditions. Individual suggest 2090, conditions may exhibit anywhere large degradations (e.g., A1B, CMIP5 25th percentile) B2, Lynch2016). Combined highlighted predicted, degradation 16.2% (A2 1.0% (B2 Lynch2016) kilometers. A goal for watershed restore 10% kilometers over 2008 baseline; our results meeting sustaining this until require improvement 11.0%–26.2% kilometers, dependent scenario. These highlight inherent resultant uncertainty predicted conditions, which reinforces need incorporate multiple both development, agriculture, etc.) encapsulate

Язык: Английский

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Physical habitat is more than a sediment issue: A multi-dimensional habitat assessment indicates new approaches for river management

Journal of Environmental Management, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 371, С. 123139 - 123139

Опубликована: Ноя. 1, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Linking Altered Flow Regimes to Biological Condition: an Example Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Small Streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Environmental Management, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 67(6), С. 1171 - 1185

Опубликована: Март 12, 2021

Abstract Regionally scaled assessments of hydrologic alteration for small streams and its effects on freshwater taxa are often inhibited by a low number stream gages. To overcome this limitation, we paired modeled estimates to benthic macroinvertebrate index biotic integrity data 4522 reaches across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Using separate random-forest models, predicted flow status (inflated, diminished, or indeterminant) 12 published metrics (HMs) that characterize main components regimes. We used these models predict each HM reach in watershed, linked predictions condition samples collected from with drainage areas less than 200 km 2 . Flow was calculated as HMs inflated diminished ranged 0 (no diminished) (all diminished). When focused solely flow-alteration relationship, degraded was, depending used, 3.8–4.7 times more likely flow-altered site; likelihood over twofold higher urban-focused dataset (8.7–10.8), never significant agriculture-focused dataset. Logistic regression analysis using entire showed every unit increase intensity, odds increased 3.7%. Our results provide an indication whether altered streamflow is possible driver biological conditions, information could help managers prioritize management actions lead effective restoration efforts.

Язык: Английский

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Using fish community and population indicators to assess the biological condition of streams and rivers of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA

Ecological Indicators, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 134, С. 108488 - 108488

Опубликована: Дек. 16, 2021

The development of indicators to assess relative freshwater condition is critical for management and conservation. Predictive modeling can enhance the utility by providing estimates unsurveyed locations. Such approaches grant understanding where "good" "poor" conditions occur provide insight into landscape contexts supporting such conditions. However, as assessments are conducted at large extents crossing jurisdictional boundaries, combined datasets likely not suited traditional assessment which rely on jurisdictionally-specific reference sites. Here, we used a dataset compiled from multiple providers fish habitat non-tidal streams rivers in Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW), USA. We concurrently community species-level analyses more holistic view using random forest models predict selected metrics species occurrence with data inland CBW stream reaches. Community included describing composition, tolerances, preferences, functional traits communities whereas consisted distribution key sensitive gamefish species. For analyses, final index was calculated average metric deciles higher scores inferring less biologically altered (i.e., better) conditions, an alternative predicted reaches, presence indicating suitable habitat. Uncertainty both model prediction intervals. Results indicated different numbers each region, most Northern Appalachian (15) least Southern Piedmont (3). Four (three sensitive) were modeling. At scale, predictions did vary greatly among or 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016. Most reaches mean decile rank between 2001 2016; however, largest changes occurred Coastal Plains ecoregion Torrent Suckers medium-sized rivers. When compared, results agreed one (Brook Trout) but other three, potentially due regionally inappropriate tolerance assignment. Comparisons also demonstrated substantial variation suggesting lack redundancy. While approach traditionally has its targeted audience respective strengths weaknesses, concurrent use these permits direct comparisons may assuage shortcomings when considered separately.

Язык: Английский

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Modeling estrogenic activity in streams throughout the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay watersheds

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 193(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2021

Язык: Английский

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Examining the Relationship between Phytoplankton Community Structure and Water Quality Measurements in Agricultural Waters: A Machine Learning Application

Environments, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 9(11), С. 142 - 142

Опубликована: Ноя. 12, 2022

Phytoplankton community composition has been utilized for water quality assessments of various freshwater sources, but studies are lacking on agricultural irrigation ponds. This work evaluated the performance random forest algorithm in estimating phytoplankton structure from situ measurements at two Sampling was performed between 2017 and 2019 three groups (green algae, diatoms, cyanobacteria) sets parameters (physicochemical, organic constituents, nutrients) were obtained to train test mathematical models. Models predicting green algae populations had superior diatom cyanobacteria Spatial models revealed that ponds’ interior sections lower root mean square errors (RMSEs) compared nearshore waters. Furthermore, model did not change when input datasets compounded. based physicochemical parameters, which can be real time, outperformed constituent nutrient parameters. However, use improved examining data ordinal level. Overall, useful major taxonomic ponds, this may help resource managers mitigate bloom-laden waters applications.

Язык: Английский

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Atlantic Coast Rivers of the Northeastern United States

Elsevier eBooks, Год журнала: 2023, Номер unknown, С. 20 - 67

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023

Язык: Английский

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