What makes a healthy stream?
 

Project Summary
We are developing a suite of ecological indicators that cross spatial scales, reflect ecosystem states and processes, are statistically robust, are applicable across regional landscapes, and are based on readily accessible information available in a real-time framework (e.g. Landsat data). Our specific objectives are to:
  • Develop predictive models which integrate landscape scale factors with reach scale physical and chemical stream attributes to quantify key compositional and  structural attributes of stream biota, and derive ecosystem indicators at multiple spatial scales.
  • Evaluate the appropriate scale of terrestrial and aquatic data necessary to resolve regional and local aquatic resource questions.
  • Improve our ability to distinguish and quantify natural variation in indicators from that derived from anthropogenic stressors.
  • Assess the extent to which regional and local scale indices (including standard indices of ecological integrity, e.g. IBI) reflect fundamental ecosystem processes and structural properties of stream habitats and biota.
  • Quantify confidence limits and evaluate the geographic transferability of regional and local scale indicators developed above.

To develop, evaluate and integrate indicators across multiple spatial scales, we are employing a multi-tiered sampling and modeling strategy, integrating data collected at regional scales via satellite imagery, local scales via low-altitude imagery, and site scales via field sampling.  These data will be used to identify indicators at each scale that reflect critical ecosystem processes or state variables related to the integrity and sustainablility of those ecosystems.  Our study focuses on developing ecological indicators within two large, highly agricultural watershed; the Saginaw Bay watershed of Lower Michigan and the Cannon and Zumbro River Watershed in Southeastern Minnesota (highlighted in green in below).

The results of this research will significantly increase our ability to quantify features of terrestrial ecosystems in strongly altered landscapes.  Models of processes that integrate features existing at different scales will be developed.   Specifically we will decompose variance in stream parameters associated with anthropogenic and natural sources of variation, thus improving our ability to identify indicators of land use change.
 
 Principle Investigators:
Carl Richards, Lucinda Johnson, and George Host

Research Collaborators:
Dan Breneman, Tom Hollenhorst, and Jeff Schuldt

Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55811