Using diatom assemblages to assess urban stream conditions

Walker, Chris; Pan, Yangdong

doi:10.1007/1-4020-5070-4_13

Cited by 13 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Our ordination results imply that water chemistry is the most important environmental factor affecting diatom communities, which agrees with many other findings (Stevenson et al, 1996;Kwandrans et al, 1998;Ju¨ttner et al, 2003;Walker & Pan, 2006;Smucker & Vis, 2011b): diatoms respond clearly to nutrient concentrations and to the …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

The roles of environment and space in shaping stream diatom communities

Virtanen

Soininen

2012

European Journal of Phycology

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Diatoms are widely used in stream quality assessment due to their response to the local environment. Diatoms are also influenced by many large-scale processes and so the diatom communities of boreal streams incorporate a strong spatial component at a regional level. What is not properly known yet is whether the variation in diatom communities between regions is larger than the variation in measured environmental variables. We studied the roles of environment and space in accounting for variability in stream diatom communities across four regions in Finland. According to canonical correspondence analysis, geographical coordinates, nutrient concentrations (total N and P), and water conductivity were the most important factors affecting variation in diatom community composition. Of physical factors, depth and current velocity were also significant. According to Mantel tests, both environmental and geographical distances were related to dissimilarity in diatom community composition. Analysis of Similarities indicated that the regional differences in diatom community composition were larger than the regional differences in environmental variables. We also found many indicator species confined to certain regions. Our results suggest that the four study regions differ in their diatom species composition more than in their environmental features and that diatoms are structured not only by the local environment but also by large-scale processes, possibly related to history, climate and dispersal. These results imply that, while diatom species composition reflects well the environmental differences between regions, future bioassessments would benefit from regional stratification. Otherwise, relationships with environmental variables may be masked by trans-regional differences in species pools caused by the largescale processes.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

The roles of environment and space in shaping stream diatom communities

Virtanen

Soininen

2012

European Journal of Phycology

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“…The influence of this variable on periphytic diatoms has been previously reported in other studies (SONNEMAN et al, 2001;WALKER;PAN, 2006). Another factor that should be taken into account is the increase in flow velocity observed in downstream regions, favoring species with effective mechanisms of attachment to the substrate, like those with prostrate habit or attached to the substrate by mucilage tubes .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

<b>Periphytic diatoms as bioindicators in a tropical stream: from urban to rural environments

Moresco

Gubiani

Rodrigues

2015

Acta Sci. Biol. Sci.

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ABSTRACT. Urbanization and agriculture alter expressively the physical and chemical variables of lotic habitats, especially streams, causing negative effects to the biota of these environments. This study aimed to (i) evaluate the spatial and seasonal variations in the structure of periphytic diatom assemblage in a stream under urban influence in its headwaters, and rural influence, in the rest of its course, and (ii) select diatom species as bioindicators of urban and rural stretches. Three sampling sites were set along the stream according to its longitudinal gradient. The structure of the periphytic diatom assemblage presented differences in spatial scale, differing substantially between the urban and rural habitats. There was a higher influence of nutrients (orthophosphate (PO 4 ) and total nitrogen (TN)) on the distribution of the assemblage. Therefore, the use of the assemblage of periphytic diatoms as environmental bioindicator indicated spatial differences along the riverine areas, from the agriculture environment to the urbanized environment.Keywords: Bacillariophyta, water quality, urban-rural gradient, urbanization, community ecology.Diatomáceas perifíticas como bioindicadores em um córrego tropical: do ambiente urbano para o rural RESUMO. A urbanização e a agricultura modificam expressivamente as variáveis físicas e químicas de habitats lóticos, principalmente em córregos, provocando efeitos negativos na biota destes ambientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as variações espaciais e sazonais (estiagem e chuva) na estrutura da assembleia de diatomáceas perifíticas, de acordo com o gradiente urbano-rural em um córrego, apontar os principais fatores controladores desta assembleia, bem como selecionar as espécies de diatomáceas bioindicadoras dos trechos urbanos e rurais. Foram estabelecidos três pontos de coleta -cabeceira, intermediário e foz, obedecendo a um gradiente longitudinal. A estrutura da assembleia de diatomáceas perifíticas apresentou diferenças em escala espacial, diferindo substancialmente entre as zonas urbanas e rurais. Houve maior influência dos nutrientes (ortofosfato (PO 4 ) e nitrogênio total (TN)) sobre a distribuição desta assembleia. Portanto, utilizando a assembleia de diatomáceas perifíticas como bioindicador ambiental foi possível comprovar as diferenças espaciais ao longo das áreas ribeirinhas, desde ambiente agrícola até ambiente urbanizado.Palavras-chave: Bacillariophyta, qualidade de água, gradiente urbano-rural, urbanização, ecologia de comunidades.

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“…Stream chemistry-The chemical characteristics of the stream that are associated with water quality (Mahler and others, 2005;Gilliom and others, 2006;Sprague and others, 2007); and 4. Aquatic biota-Degradation of the stream's biological communities: algae (Walker and Pan, 2006;Coles and others, 2009), insects and other invertebrates (Roy and others, 2003;Cuffney and others, 2010), and fish (Meador and others, 2005;Roy and others, 2007;Brown and others, 2009). …”

Section: New Innovative Tool Predicts the Effects Of Hydrology Habitmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of urban development on stream ecosystems in nine metropolitan study areas across the United States

Coles¹,

McMahon²,

Bell³

et al. 2012

Circular

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For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment, visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS. For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprodTo order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataEffects of urban development on stream ecosystems in nine metropolitan study areas across the United States : the quality of our nation's waters / by James F. Coles ... [et al.].p. cm. -(Circular ; 1373) Quality of our nation's waters Includes bibliographical references and index. ForewordThe United States has made major investments in assessing, managing, regulating, and conserving natural resources such as water, minerals, soils, and timber. Sustaining the quality of the Nation's water resources and the health of our ecosystems depends on the availability of sound water-resources data and information to develop effective, science-based policies. Effective management of water resources also brings more certainty and efficiency to important economic sectors. Taken together, these actions lead to immediate and long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits that make a difference to the lives of millions of people (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/applications/).Two decades ago, the Congress established the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program to meet this need. Since then it has served as a primary source of nationally consistent information on the quality of the Nation's streams and groundwater; how water quality changes over time; and how natural features and human activities affect the quality of streams and groundwater. Objective and reliable data, water-quality models and related decision support tools, and systematic scientific studies characterize where, when, and why the Nation's water quality is degradedand what can be done to improve and protect it for human and ecosystem needs. This information is critical to our future because the Nation faces an increasingly complex and growing need for clean water to support population, economic growth, and healthy ecosystems. For example, two thirds of U.S. estuaries are impacted by nutrients and dead zones that no longer fully support healthy fish and other aquatic communities. Forty-two percent of the Nation's streams are in poor or degraded condition compared to reference conditions. Eighty percent of urban streams have at least one pesticide that exceeds criteria to protect aquatic life. Groundwater from about 20 percent of p...

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Using diatom assemblages to assess urban stream conditions

Cited by 13 publications

References 23 publications

The roles of environment and space in shaping stream diatom communities

The roles of environment and space in shaping stream diatom communities

<b>Periphytic diatoms as bioindicators in a tropical stream: from urban to rural environments

Effects of urban development on stream ecosystems in nine metropolitan study areas across the United States

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