An Ecological Assessment Of Western Streams And Rivers

This report presents an ecological assessment of non-tidal streams and rivers across twelve states of the western U.S., based on the results of a unique and experimental monitoring program implemented through the U.S. EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) during the years 2000-2004. The two major objectives were to document the overall condition of the vast network of streams and rivers of the western U.S. and to demonstrate the utility and flexibility of an EMAP-like approach to environmental monitoring and assessment at this regional scale. The assessment is divided into two major categories. The first is the measurement of the ecological condition of streams and rivers in the West by direct measurements of their resident biological assemblages: aquatic vertebrates and benthic macroinvertebrates. The second is an assessment of the relative importance of potential stressors on those assemblages, based on direct measures of their chemical, biological and physical habitat.

Water Quality – Science, Assessments and Policy examines many of the scientific issues; national, regional and local assessment practices and results; and national policy issues related to water quality. Chapters focus on three areas: water quality parameters, water quality treatments, and water quality assessments. This book provides a basic understanding of water quality issues and practical examples of their solution.

The Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) was developed by EPA to assess the condition of the nation's ecological resources. EMAP employs a statistical design that makes it possible to describe the proportion of the resource in good, fair or poor condition relative to reference condition. In 2000, the EMAP began a five-year effort to monitor and assess the ecological condition of rivers and streams across the West. This report uses a subset of the data from this large project and data from other EMAP projects to assess the ecological condition of the wadeable streams of the Interior Columbia River basin. Approximately 75,000 km of the 109,000 km of wadeable streams of the Basin were assessed for most indicators. In general, most streams of the basin are in fair or good condition based on the results of the metrics that could be analyzed. Primary stressors in terms of both extent and risk to biota are excess fine sediment, riparian disturbance from grazing/crops, sulfate, and phosphorous levels. -- Abstract, p. 1.

The assessment of the ecological integrity of running waters is a prerequisite to an understanding of the effects of human alterations. The evaluation of degradation processes provides key information on how to avoid further negative impacts. The success of future conservation, mitigation and restoration activities will rely on sound assessment methodologies and their ecological relevance and applicability. Assessment methodologies are therefore an integral part of sustainable river management. This book synthesizes and discusses state-of-the-art experiences in assessment methodologies. Including the latest knowledge on structures, processes and functions of running waters as a fundamental basis for developing adequate assessment methods, the book focuses on method development, application, and in particular on integrated assessment methods. This book is directed at scientists and managers with the aim of more effective preservation, restoration and maintenance of the ecological integrity of running water ecosystems.

Continuing in the tradition of its bestselling predecessor, the Handbook of Ecological Indicators for Assessment of Ecosystem Health, Second Edition brings together world-class editors and contributors who have been at the forefront of ecosystem health assessment research for decades, to provide a sound approach to environmental management and sust