1 / 10

ORD Research on Headwater Streams and Isolated Wetlands Framework and Overview

Randy Bruins and ORD Scientist Panel Regional Science Workshop on Headwaters and Associated Wetlands In the Mid-Atlantic Highlands Region June 20-21, Philadelphia, PA. ORD Research on Headwater Streams and Isolated Wetlands Framework and Overview. Session Goals. Provide overview of research

read
Download Presentation

ORD Research on Headwater Streams and Isolated Wetlands Framework and Overview

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Randy Bruins and ORD Scientist Panel Regional Science Workshop on Headwaters and Associated Wetlands In the Mid-Atlantic Highlands Region June 20-21, Philadelphia, PA ORD Research on Headwater Streams and Isolated WetlandsFramework and Overview

  2. Session Goals • Provide overview of research • Isolated wetlands • Headwater streams • Clarify, add detail (Q & A with Panel) • Set up breakout group discussions on research to meet program and regional needs

  3. Topics • Policy questions driving research • Generalized research framework • Overview of ongoing and planned ORD projects as they relate to research framework

  4. Policy questions • Where are HS-IW actually located? How many are there?unmapped = unprotected • What legal authorities apply to the protection of HS-IW?Clean Water Act: connectivity? water quality role? designated uses? Endangered Species Act? species supported? locations?

  5. Policy questions • What condition are HS-IW in?status & trends? reference? • What is the downstream significance of activities that disturb HS-IW? What about activities to restore HS-IW?Permit evaluations? 319 grant evaluations?Alternative futures?

  6. Research Framework • Generic to needs for both headwaters and isolated wetlands • Presents idealized progression of research tasks

  7. ORD Framework for Headwater Streams/Isolated Wetlands Research Tasks A Process for Developing Science Tools That Will Answer Policy Questions Classification and Mapping Methods Develop efficient (automated) methods for locating and mapping HS-IW Develop HS-IW classification system 1 2 Areal Assessments Assessment Methods For selected areas, produce HS-IW maps (with landscape characterization) 7 Develop methods and indicators for assessing structure, function and habitat suitability Conduct condition assessments, functional assessments 3 Issue-based Assessments Develop multi-tiered methods and indicators for assessing HS-IW condition 8 Model Development & Application Produce maps showing HS-IW condition & function 4 9 Develop (or adapt) and validate models relating HS-IW status to downstream ecosystem services 11 Apply models for restoration design, impact assessment, futures analysis Assess impacts of selected humanactivities on HS-IW 12 Produce study of empirical relationships among, e.g.: land use/cover; HS-IW class, condition and function; downstream WQ and condition 5 10 Assess effectiveness of selected HS-IW BMPs or restoration projects 6 See handout.

  8. design ofState, Tribal water quality standards andmonitoring programs Develop efficient methods for locating and mapping HS-IW Develop HS-IW classification system 1 2 303d &305b reports For selected areas, produce HS-IW maps (with landscape characterization) ESA opinions 7 Develop methods and indicators for assessing structure, function and habitat suitability Conduct condition assessments, functional assessments • watershed • planning • TMDLs • education • regional land-use planning 3 Develop efficient methods and indicators for assessing HS-IW condition 8 Produce maps showing HS-IW condition & function 4 9 Assess impacts of selected humanactivities on HS-IW Produce study of empirical relationships among, e.g.: land use/cover; HS-IW class, hydrology, condition and function; and downstream WQ and condition 5 10 Assess effectiveness of selected HS-IW BMPs or restoration projects 6 • 401 & 404 permit evaluation • EIS development • BMP design • restoration planning • 319 grant decisions • OW regulatory • policy development • OW regulatory • impact assessment Classification and Mapping Methods Areal Assessments Assessment Methods Issue-based Assessments Model Development & Application Develop (or adapt) and validate simulation models relating HS-IW status to downstream ecosystem services 11 Apply models for restoration design, impact assessment, futures analysis 12 ____________________ * Use of different colors is only for clarity

  9. Headwater Stream (HS) Research: OngoingandProposed Expected Products and Dates (ORD Division) Develop efficient methods for locating and mapping HS-IW Develop HS-IW classification system 1 2 For selected areas, produce HS-IW maps (with landscape characterization) 7 Develop methods and indicators for assessing structure, function and habitat suitability Conduct condition assessments, functional assessments 3 Develop efficient methods and indicators for assessing HS-IW condition 8 Produce maps showing HS-IW condition & function 4 9 Assess impacts of selected humanactivities on HS-IW Produce study of empirical relationships among, e.g.: land use/cover; HS-IW class, hydrology, condition and function; and downstream WQ and condition 5 10 Assess effectiveness of selected HS-IW BMPs or restoration projects 6 • 2006 HS Field Operations Manual (EERD) • 2006 Coho salmon success in HS habitats (WED) • 2007 Flow Permanence Indicators (EERD) • 2007 Biogeochemical indicators of land use (ERD) • 2010 Rapid Functional Assessment Methods (EERD) Classification and Mapping Methods • Hydrologic LandscapeRegions as stream chemistry predictors (WED) Areal Assessments • Develop, verify HSmapping methods (EERD, ESD) Assessment Methods • South Dakota intermittent stream reference site selection (REMAP-WED) • Development of HScondition Indices? (RARE/RM?) • 2008, 2009 Models predicting stream biota based on watershed characteristics (ERD) • 2008 Models predicting stream biota based on stream network characteristics (WED) Issue-based Assessments Model Development & Application Develop (or adapt) and validate simulation models relating HS-IW status to downstream ecosystem services 11 • 2007 LIDAR detection of urban impacts on HS channels (ESD) • 2008 WQ study of headwaters and MTM/VF (EERD) • 2008TDS impacts on aquatic invertebrates (MED, R3) • 2010 Functions of forested and mined streams (EERD, ERD, R3) • Ecological processes in ag ditches (REMAP-MED) • Date? Urban stormwaterimpacts on headwaters (WSWRD) Apply models for restoration design, impact assessment, futures analysis 12 • Date? MTM/VF mitigation effectiveness (R4, ERD, EERD) • 2011 Functional assessment of a restored ag ditch (EERD/WSWRD) • Date? Implement and assess urban stormwater BMPs (STD) • Structural comparison of forested and mined streams(REMAP-EERD)

  10. Classification and Mapping Methods • 2006 Texas coastal plain (ESD) • 2007 Urban Rhode Island (AED) • 2008 Parts of R4 coastal plain (EERD) Develop efficient methods for locating and mapping HS-IW Develop HS-IW classification system 1 2 Areal Assessments For selected areas, produce HS-IW maps (with landscape characterization) 7 Develop methods and indicators for assessing structure, function and habitat suitability Conduct condition assessments, functional assessments • 2008 Florida soils, PO4 sorption (EERD) 3 Develop efficient methods and indicators for assessing HS-IW condition 8 Produce maps showing HS-IW condition & function 4 Model Development & Application 9 Assess impacts of selected humanactivities on HS-IW Produce study of empirical relationships among, e.g.: land use/cover; HS-IW class, hydrology, condition and function; and downstream WQ and condition Develop (or adapt) and validate simulation models relating HS-IW status to downstream ecosystem services 5 10 Assess effectiveness of selected HS-IW BMPs or restoration projects Apply models for restoration design, impact assessment, futures analysis 6 • 2008 3-tiered assessmentmethods for R4 coastal plain and New England; examinesland use impacts (AED, EERD) Isolated Wetland Research: Ongoing Expected Products and Dates (ORD Division) Assessment Methods Issue-based Assessments 11 11 12

More Related