Defining relationships among indicators of sediment, erosion and ecosystem health in low gradient streams


Start Date: 2004

End Date: 2006

Full Citation:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, $59,311, 2004–2006. Defining relationships among indicators of sediment, erosion and ecosystem health in low gradient streams. PI: D. Huggins. Co-PI: D. Baker.

Category:

  • Aquatic

Associated with the KU Field Station: No

Research Summary:

CPCB facilitated a regional sediment workgroup consisting of aquatic ecologists, biologists, and hydrologists from throughout EPA Region 7 to evaluate linkages between sediment indicators and biological indicators within streams of the Central Plains region. The overall goal of this project was to promote the identification, quantification, and understanding of sediment and sediment erosion processes on aquatic life. Workgroup members included scientists from the National Sediment Lab, the Kansas State Conservation Commission, KS Dept. Wildlife and Parks, KS Dept. Health and Environment, KS Biological Survey, and USEPA R7.

In order to accomplish the project goals, the workgroup 1) identified and assessed current sediment/aquatic resource information relative to regional needs; 2) conducted an exhaustive literature search to compile existing data on relationships between sediment indicators and associated biological indicators in streams throughout the United States; 3) collected and organized regional data on sediment and biological indicators from organizations and researchers within Region 7, and 4) used multivariate statistical analyses to evaluate relationships between sediment and biological indicators. The results from these analyses were used to develop a second year proposal designed to test specific hypotheses regarding linkages between sediment and biological indicators within streams of the Central Plains region. Combined, this research will provide the framework for assessing sediment impairment within the Central Plains region and for the development of sediment-related TMDLs.

Resulting reports:

Huggins, D.G, R.C. Everhart, A. Dzialowski, J. Kriz, and D.S. Baker. 2007. Impact of Sedimentation on Biological Resources: A Sediment Issue White Paper Report prepared for the State of Kansas. Open-file Report No. 146. Kansas Biological Survey, Lawrence, KS. 23 pp.

Huggins, D.G, R.C. Everhart, A. Dzialowski, J. Kriz, and D.S. Baker. 2007. Effects of Sedimentation on Biological Resources. p.35-46 in Sedimentation in Our Reservoirs: Causes and Solutions, Kansas State University, June 2008. Contribution no. 08-250-S from the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station. 143 pp.