Analyzing Stream Condition Analyzing Stream Condition Using EMAP Algae Data Using EMAP Algae Data

By Nick Paretti

ARIZONA PHYCOLOGY

ECOL 475

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Program (EMAP)Program (EMAP)The EMAP Western Pilot Study requires a representative sample of biotic assemblages along with physical and chemical measures across 12 western statesThe sampling consists of the five following components: water chemistry, physical habitat, periphyton assemblage, benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage, and aquatic vertebrate assemblage. The data will be used to generate state and regional scale assessments of the condition of ecological resources in the western United States, and to identify stressors associated with the degradation of these resources.

Questions to AnswerQuestions to Answer

EPAWhat proportion of stream and river miles in the western U.S. are in acceptable (or poor) biological condition?What is the relative importance of potential stressors (habitat modification, sedimentation, nutrients, temperature, grazing, timber harvest, etc.) in streams and rivers across the West?

This projectUse a random subset of data (n=168)Statistical analyses Oneway ANOVA and simple regressionDetermine if algae can be used as an indicator of stream condition

CladophoraCladophora

Chlorophyte (Green Algae)Chlorophylls a and b Xanthans and Carotenoids Filamentous Habitat for MacroinvertebrateFish cover for young Food source

MicrocystisMicrocystis

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) Unicellular clustersNitrogen fixation Chlorophyll a and phycobilins Indicator of eutrophication Lacking a membrane-bounded nucleus Wide range of temperatures

EMAP ProtocolEMAP ProtocolRandomly selected SiteReach 40 X channel width11 transectsCanopy cover

DensiometerSix measurements are obtained at each cross-section transect

Measurements in four directions at mid-channel and one at each bank

Water body character Assign a rating of 1 (highly disturbed) to 5 (pristine) based on your

5. Beautiful, could not be any nicer.

4. Very minor aesthetic problems; excellent for swimming, boating, enjoyment.

3. Enjoyment impaired. 2. Level of enjoyment substantially

reduced. 1. Enjoyment nearly impossible.

Canopy CoverCanopy Cover

Riparian canopy cover

Stream temperatures

Shading / Light penetration

Inputs of coarse and fine particulate organic material

Organic inputs are food for stream organisms

Relation of Canopy Relation of Canopy

Negative Relationship

Less light

Less photosynthesis

Less primary productivity

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

Per

cent

Alg

ae0 .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 1

Canopy Cover

R-square .04 F-ratio <.0001

N=168

Dominant Land UseDominant Land UseAlgal biomass as an indicator of nutrient enrichmentProblems related to excessive nutrient enrichment

EutrophicationAlgal bloomsDepletion of Oxygen

Suburban/ townHuman activities, fertilizer application, burning of fossil fuels

RangeAnimal Waste

AgricultureEutrophicFertilizers

Forested streamsOligotrophicLeaf litter

Per

cent

Alg

ae

-0.1

00.1

0.20.3

0.4

0.50.6

0.70.8

0.9

11.1

Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town

Dominant Land use

Per

cent

Alg

ae

-0.1

00.1

0.20.3

0.4

0.50.6

0.70.8

0.9

11.1

Per

cent

Alg

ae

-0.1

00.1

0.20.3

0.4

0.50.6

0.70.8

0.9

11.1

Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town

Dominant Land use

Dominant Land UseDominant Land Use

Oneway ANOVA Analyzing percent algae

The Forest dominated stream is statistically different than Range and Suburban/town

Statistically level 5 of Pristine is different than level 1 Trends

Per

cent

Alg

ae

-0.10

0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

11.1

1 2 3 4 5

Pristine

Each Pair

Student's t

0.05

Per

cent

Alg

ae

-0.10

0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

11.1

Per

cent

Alg

ae

-0.10

0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

11.1

1 2 3 4 5

Pristine

Each Pair

Student's t

0.05

Prob > F 0.0024 Prob > F 0.0686

NutrientsNutrients

Water Chemistry

Inconclusive evidence comparing percent algae to Nutrient concentrations

Selected chemicals

NO3, DOC, DIC, NH4, total phosphorus, total nitrogen (dissolved inorganic and organic nitrogen and articulate organic and inorganic nitrogen, minus N2 gas)

The forest dominated stream is statistically different than the agriculture dominated stream

NutrientsNutrientsD

OC

0

5

10

15

20

Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town

Dominant Land use

t 0.05

Dic

0

100

Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town

Dominant land use 0.05

Ptl

-2000

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town

Dlanduse

No3

0

100

200

300

400

500

Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town

Dlanduse

Stream OrderStream Order

Increased VelocityIncreased VolumeIncreased Inputs

Organic MatterHuman InfluencesFertilizers

Nutrient Load More AlgaeBlooms

Analyzing percent algaeA first order stream is statistically different than a seventh order stream

Trends

Stream OrderStream OrderP

erce

nt A

lgae

-0.10

0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

11.1

1 2 3 4 5 7

Stream OrderProb > F 0.0119

ConclusionsConclusionsAlgae as a biological indicator

Identify algae Identify stressors associated with the degradation of stream habitatCanopy CoverDominant Land useAesthetic appealNutrientsStream Order Interpret the data and apply it to vertebrate communities and restoration Produce unbiased estimates of the ecological condition of surface waters across a large geographic area (or areas) of the West