Linkages among biotic structure, function and ecosystem services in urban streams
Author(s)
Rosemond, Amy D.
Sterling, Jessica
Wenger, Seth
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Carroll, G. Denise
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Abstract
The field of stream bioassessment, using biota
as indicators of water quality, arose from decades of
studying the impacts of land use change on stream ecosystems
and determining differential sensitivity among
aquatic organisms. These measures of biotic structure are
extremely useful in determining stream impairment. However,
we know very little about how changes in biotic
structure might be associated with ecosystem functions
and services that humans need or desire from intact ecosystems.
Examples of such functions and services include
organic matter processing rates and retention, fish and
macroinvertebrate production, and conversion and uptake
of nutrients. Identifying important relationships between
structure and function is a first step in studying streams
impaired by urbanization as we seek to address ‘which
functions’ we require from these systems. Watershed urbanization
includes a complex suite of stressors that have
been shown to singly affect both structure and function. In
many cases, we lack knowledge of mechanisms that drive
changes in structure and function and insights into the
cases where there are tight linkages and feedbacks between
the two. We present a general conceptual model of
how stressors associated with urbanization specifically
and most likely affect biotic structure, associated ecosystem
functions and services, and their linkages in Piedmont
streams.
Sponsor
Sponsored by:
Georgia Environmental Protection Division
U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute
The University of Georgia, Water Resources Faculty
Date
2009-04
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings