Biomonitoring in Intermittent Coastal Plain Streams Impacted by Animal Agriculture (Graduate Project)

Research Team: Stephanie D. Hiers (Graduate Student), Dr. Stephen W. Golladay (Associate Scientist), George Vellidis (University of Georgia), and Catherine M. Pringle (University of Georgia)

Little attention has been given to the ecology of intermittent coastal plain streams in the southeastern U.S., and it is not known if pre-existing bioassessment methods correctly classify these streams. Macroinvertebrates in South Georgia coastal plain streams are stressed by both agriculture and a fluctuating physicochemical environment. This study assessed chemical, physical and biological stream condition in an agricultural coastal plain watershed to examine effects on macroinvertebrates and biotic metrics. Measurements were made in streams draining unimpacted sites, those with traditional agricultural practices, and those with agricultural Best Management Practices. Mean dissolved and suspended solids, pH, conductivity, turbidity and all nutrient concentrations were lower at the unimpacted site compared to the agriculturally influenced sites. Percentages of crustaceans, isopods, and Ephemeroptera-Plecoptera-Trichoptera were significantly lower and percentages of dipterans, chironomids, burrowers, and dominant family were significantly higher at the most impacted sites during the flow period, but differences were less pronounced during the intermittent period. Of these seven metrics, only % Crustacea, Isopoda, and Diptera separated the most impacted from the least impacted site for all dates during the flow period, indicating that these metrics may be most useful in bioassessment of intermittent coastal plain streams.

Additional Information:

Davis, S.N., S.W. Golladay, G. Vellidis, and C.M. Pringle. 1999. Assessing biological effects of animal production on intermittent coastal plain streams. Pages 291-294 in Proceedings of the 1999 Georgia Water Resources Conference. Kathryn J. Hatcher (ed.). Institute of Ecology, The University of Georgia, Athens. pdf version

Stephanie Davis. 2000. Assessing Impacts of Animal Agriculture on Macroinvertebrates in Intermittent Coastal Plain Streams in the Southeastern USA: Implications for Biomonitoring. M.S. Thesis. University of Georgia, Conservation Biology Program, School of Ecology. Athens.

http://nespal.cpes.peachnet.edu/water/projects.asp

Funded by: The Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center and the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL)