Interactive effects of water quality, physical habitat, and watershed anthropogenic activities on stream ecosystem health

Liao, Hehuan1,2,3,4; Sarver, Emily2; Krometis, Leigh-Anne H.1

2018-03

10.1016/j.watres.2017.11.065

WATER RESEARCH   影响因子和分区

0043-1354

Ecological degradation of streams remains a major environmental concern worldwide. While stream restoration has received considerable attention, mitigation efforts focused on the improvement of physical habitat have not proven completely effective. Several small-scale studies have emphasized that effective restoration strategies require a more holistic understanding of the variables at play, although the generalization of the findings based on the small-scale studies remains unclear. Using a comprehensive statewide stream monitoring database from West Virginia (WV), a detailed landscape dataset, and a machine learning algorithm, this study explores the interactive impacts of water quality and physical habitat on stream ecosystem health as indicated by benthic macroinvertebrate scores. Given the long history of energy extraction in this region (i.e., coal mining and oil/gas production), investigation of energy extraction influences is highlighted. Our results demonstrate that a combination of good habitat and low specific conductance is generally associated with favorable benthic macroinvertebrate scores, whereas poor habitat combined with water quality conditions typically indicative of high ionic strength are associated with impaired stream status. In addition, streams impacted by both energy extraction and residential development had a higher percentage of impairment compared to those impacted predominantly by energy extraction or residential development alone. While water quality played a more important role in the ecosystem health of streams impacted primarily by energy extraction activities, habitat seems to be more influential in streams impacted by residential development. Together, these findings emphasize that stream restoration strategies should consider interactive effects of multiple environmental stressors tailored to specific sites or site types - as opposed to considering a single stressor or multiple stressors separately. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Benthic macroinvertebrates Habitat Stream ecosystem health Water quality Watershed activities

SCI ; EI

英语

NI期刊

通讯

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University[] ; West Virginia University[]

Engineering ; Environmental Sciences & Ecology ; Water Resources

Engineering, Environmental ; Environmental Sciences ; Water Resources

WOS:000424174200008

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

20174904499708

Extraction ; Health ; Health risks ; Housing ; Ionic strength ; Learning algorithms ; Learning systems ; Restoration ; Rivers ; Stream flow ; Water quality ; Watersheds

Urban Planning and Development:403.1 ; Waterways:407.2 ; Surface Water:444.1 ; Water Analysis:445.2 ; Ecology and Ecosystems:454.3 ; Medicine and Pharmacology:461.6 ; Health Care:461.7 ; Physical Chemistry:801.4 ; Chemical Operations:802.3

ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY

Web of Science

1.Virginia Tech, Dept Biol Syst Engn, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA
2.Virginia Tech, Dept Min & Minerals Engn, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Sch Environm Sci & Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, Peoples R China
4.Nankai Univ, Coll Environm Sci & Engn, Tianjin 300350, Peoples R China

Liao, Hehuan,Sarver, Emily,Krometis, Leigh-Anne H.. Interactive effects of water quality, physical habitat, and watershed anthropogenic activities on stream ecosystem health[J]. WATER RESEARCH,2018,130:69-78.

Liao, Hehuan,Sarver, Emily,&Krometis, Leigh-Anne H..(2018).Interactive effects of water quality, physical habitat, and watershed anthropogenic activities on stream ecosystem health.WATER RESEARCH,130,69-78.

Liao, Hehuan,et al."Interactive effects of water quality, physical habitat, and watershed anthropogenic activities on stream ecosystem health".WATER RESEARCH 130(2018):69-78.