Start Date: 2005
End Date: 2007
Full Citation:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, $40,000, 2005–2007. Developing regional nutrient criteria for wetlands of the Central Plains region. PI: D. Huggins, Co-PI: D. Baker.
Category:
- Aquatic
Associated with the KU Field Station: No
Research Summary:
Wetlands provide many ecological, economical, and societal services. However, they continue to be severely impacted through human mediated activities. Over half of the wetlands in the United States, and up to 90% of the wetlands in states within the Great Plains region, have been converted. Despite their importance, there have been no regional standards or nutrient criteria developed for use in the monitoring of wetlands in the USEPA Region 7. As a result there are very few baseline data about the physical, biological, and chemical characteristics of wetland ecosystems in the region.
To address this issue, the Central Plains Center for BioAssessment (CPCB) initiated the development of a regional wetlands database with the help of the USEPA Region 7 Regional Criteria Technical Assistance Group (RTAG). With the RTAGs help, the CPCB continues its involvement in the development of wetland nutrient criteria for USEPA Region 7. To accomplish this goal we (1) compiled and completed the regional wetland database with both existing and newly collected data, (2) sampled 68 randomly selected wetlands to obtain a “snap shot” of wetland conditions for inclusion in the regional wetland database, and (3) worked with Region 7 RTAG members to develop a Central Plains wetland reference site selection process. Determining reference conditions of wetlands will support the development of nutrient reference conditions and criteria for wetlands of the USEPA Region 7 and identify relationships between wetland nutrient concentrations and biological responses (e.g. chlorophyll). Results will also allow us to develop and provide recommendations to state and tribal agencies on the selection of reference sites for further characterization within the region.
Reports:
Beury, J.H. , D.S. Baker, and D.G. Huggins. 2008. Wetlands in Three Ecoregions of the Central Plains. Open-file Report No. 147. Kansas Biological Survey, Lawrence, KS. 15 pp.
Kriz, J., D. Huggins, C. Freeman, J. Kastens. 2007. Assessment of Floodplain Wetlands of the Lower Missouri River Using a Reference-based Study Approach. Open-file Report No. 142. Kansas Biological Survey, Lawrence, KS. 63 pp.
The USEPA's Regional Technical Assistance Group (RTAG) for EPA Region 7:
- Consists of CPCB and state, tribal, and university agencies.
- To establish nutrient criteria for lakes, streams, and wetlands of the US EPA Region 7.
- The EPA's Clean Water Action Plan 1998 goal is to protect aquatic life from nutrient overenrichment.
- See National Strategy for the Development of Regional Nutrient Criteria (US EPA 1998).