Series
Georgia Water Resources Conference
Georgia Water Resources Conference
Permanent Link
Series Type
Event Series
Description
Associated Organization(s)
Associated Organization(s)
Organizational Unit
Publication Search Results
Now showing
1 - 7 of 7
-
ItemHydrologic and Geomorphic Controls on Particulate Concentrations in Ichawaynochaway Creek, a Blackwater Coastal Plain Stream(Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999-03) Golladay, Stephen W. ; Watt, Kevin ; Entrekin, Sally ; Battle, JuliannExamining controls on particulate concentrations in streams is an important step in understanding stream structure and function. In Coastal Plain streams, organic particles derived from floodplain soils are an important food source for aquatic life; inorganic particle concentrations can ·be indicators of watershed disturbance. Since 1993, we have been examining organic and inorganic particle concentrations in Ichawaynochaway Creek, a 5th order blackwater tributary of the lower Flint River. Monthly samples have been collected during stable flow periods at 7 stations ranging from near the headwaters to the confluence with the Flint River. Our study indicates that geomorphology and hydrology interact to control particle concentrations. Concentrations of all particles were greatest during floods. Areas with well-developed floodplains appear to be source areas for organic particles. In the development of regional conservation programs, floodplain swamp forests may merit special consideration to protect the trophic base of stream communities. In addition, management actions or water allocation formulae that systematically reduce the annual period of floodplain inundation may reduce organic particle transport from floodplains. Reductions in organic concentrations would lower food availability to support aquatic life.
-
ItemAssessing Biological Effects of Animal Production on Intermittent Coastal Plain Streams(Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999-03) Davis, Stephanie N. ; Golladay, Stephen W. ; Vellidis, George ; Pringle, Catherine M.Biotic indices increasingly are being used by state and federal agencies to evaluate water quality. The application of existing biotic indices to intermittent Coastal Plain streams is problematic because of unique habitat and flow characteristics. Managers must field test biotic indices before accepting them for use in this area. This study in South Georgia evaluated the appropriate sampling season for biological monitoring and tested whether existing biotic indices correlated to physical and chemical impacts. Early results showed that index scores changed drastically with season and that different indices yielded conflicting assessments of stream health in intermittent streams of the Coastal Plain. At these sites, the EPT Index (Ephemeroptera/ Plecoptera/ Trichoptera) was a better indicator of stream health than the North Carolina Biotic Index because it accurately reflected physical and chemical stream conditions.
-
ItemUnique Steephead Stream Segments in Southwest Georgia: Invertebrate Diversity and Biomonitoring(Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999-03) Entrekin, Sally ; Golladay, Stephen W. ; Ruhlman, Melanie B. ; Hedman, CraigThe steephead streams we studied are springfed, relatively high gradient, and have greater substrate diversity than is typical of most Coastal Plain streams. The study objectives were: 1) to describe the physical characteristics of the streams and quantify the seasonal biodiversity in several streams draining managed forestlands, and 2) test and adapt rapid bioassessment methods. Our results show these streams to have high invertebrate diversity throughout the year with the highest occurring in winter and early spring. The streams and their valleys bad a regionally unique assemblage of plants and animals. Bioassessment values indicated water quality to be fair to good when sampling with the fixed area modified Hess sampler and good to excellent when sampling multiple habitats using a D-frame kicknet. The values were calculated using the rapid assessment methods adapted by SaveOur- Stream (SOS) and the Hilsenhoff Family Biotic Index (FBI). The results of the bioassessment values indicate that the streamside management zones (SMZ's) implemented in these areas of silvicultural activity are effective in maintaining adequate water quality standards and supporting diverse and abundant aquatic life.
-
ItemWater Quality and Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Three Types of Reference Limesink Wetlands in Southwest Georgia(Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999-03) Battle, Juliann ; Golladay, Stephen W.In SW Georgia, three wetlands types have been classified based on vegetation and soils: marshes dominated by herbaceous vegetation, open savannas with an overstory canopy of cypress, and forested swamps composed of cypress/hardwoods. We sampled 28 relatively unimpacted limesink wetlands for water quality at eight different times during 1997-98, and sampled invertebrates using a D-frame sweep net at early, mid, and late hydroperiod times during 1997. Water quality was similar in all wetland types upon initial inundation, but later in the hydroperiod marshes and savannas still had similar water quality that differed from swamps. Swamps had higher levels of dissolved inorganic carbon, NH₄-N, NO₃-N, and PO₄-P, low dissolved oxygen levels, and darkly stained water. We identified 121 different aquatic invertebrate taxa, with 40 taxa occurring in ≤10% of the samples. Marshes had higher density, taxa richness, and diversity than the other wetland types. Our findings suggests that vegetation is the most important factor in determining invertebrate assemblages and that marshes have more niches and a wider variety of food sources than the other wetland types. This study will be useful in assessing and restoring wetlands in the region, although more work is needed to understand the role of fire and hydrologic variation in these wetlands.
-
ItemInfluence of Riparian Landform on Large Woody Debris Input and Movement in a Blackwater Coastal Plain Stream(Georgia Institute of Technology, 1997-03) Golladay, Stephen W. ; Palik, Brian J. ; Goebel, P. C. ; Taylor, B. W.Large woody debris (LWD) is recognized as a major element in the structure and function of streams. In the Coastal Plain, wood may be the site of greatest invertebrate community diversity and productivity. However, little is known about factors controlling wood inputs or its long term fate. We measured wood inputs and characteristics from undisturbed riparian forest into a 5thorder stream following Tropical Storm Alberto (July 1994). Our results indicate that infrequent floods cause significant LWD inputs to Coastal Plain streams. Mortality rates and physical characteristics of LWD varied substantially across riparian landforms. Tree mortality in mature riparian forests from natural flooding benefits streams by providing critical habitat, i.e. wood debris.
-
ItemEffects of Flooding on the Longleaf Pine-Wiregrass Ecosystem(Georgia Institute of Technology, 1995-04) Michener, William K. ; Blood, Elizabeth R. ; Golladay, Stephen W. ; Kirkman, L. Katherine ; Mitchell, Robert J. ; Palik, Brian J.Flood waters associated with Tropical Storm Alberto inundated 21 km2 of uplands at Ichauway, a 115 km 2 ecological reserve located in southwestern Georgia. At the landscape scale, sink holes were formed, landslides and erosion occurred along riverine bluffs and terraces, and sediment deposition occurred along all riparian corridors. Xeric habitats, dominated by longleaf pine-wiregrass and scrub-shrub, were disproportionately affected by flooding on an area basis. Longleaf pine seedlings and saplings with apical meristems above high water always survived. Mortality of submerged longleaf pine and wiregrass was positively related to flooding depth and duration. Treefall in bluff riparian zones and hardwood hammocks reflected species composition within the two habitats although oaks and southern red cedar were the most commonly downed trees in both habitats. Higher treefall was observed in bluff riparian zones and may be related to constrained stream channel geomorphology. Although infrequent, flooding appears to be important in governing the structure and function of the longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem and, along with other disturbances, should be explicitly incorporated into reserve and riparian corridor planning and design.
-
ItemCharacteristics of Suspended Particulate Matter in Ichawaynochaway Creek: A Brown-water Coastal Plain Stream(Georgia Institute of Technology, 1995-04) Golladay, Stephen W. ; Taylor, B. W.Water samples were collected at 7 sites along Ichawaynochaway Creek, a Gulf Coastal Plain brown-water stream, from July 1993 - October 1994, including an extended dry period (July - November 1993) and a record flood period (June - August 1994). Particulate organic concentrations in Ichawaynochaway Creek were very consistent (1-3 mg/L) during extended stable flow periods characteristic of the region. Large floods resulted in elevated organic concentrations (4-5 mg/L). The results of this study, although preliminary, suggest that headwater swamps and areas with extensive riparian forest are sources of particulate organic matter in transport In the development of regional conservation programs, riparian swamp forests may merit special consideration to protect the trophic base of stream communities. The significance of seasonal and catastrophic flooding to stream biota is unknown at present, but merits future study.