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Estimating Invertebrate Response to Changes in Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, and Specific Conductance at Sites Where Invertebrate Data are Unavailable

Scientific Investigations Report 2021-5070
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20215070

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Abstract

The purpose of this report is to describe a possible approach to estimate changes in invertebrate taxa richness at sites with known water-quality trends but no invertebrate data. In this study, data from 1,322 sites were used to describe invertebrate response to changes in total nitrogen, total phosphorus, or specific conductance, and to estimate changes in invertebrate taxa richness at 259 sites with reported water-quality trends but no invertebrate data. Sites were stratified using propensity score analysis to control for confounding factors (for example, climate, land use, land cover). Generalized linear models were developed to describe changes in invertebrate taxa richness along gradients of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and specific conductance values. The magnitude and direction of invertebrate response to gradients of water quality varied among parameters and strata, with changes in invertebrate taxa richness per natural log unit change in concentration ranging from –7 to +6. However, estimated changes in invertebrate taxa richness at sites with known water-quality trends were much less and did not exceed three taxa until changes in concentration were greater than 50 percent. Applying this approach provides (1) a first screening to identify where changes in invertebrate taxa richness are likely to occur and (2) the necessary groundwork to improve estimation of invertebrate response to trends in water quality where biological data are lacking.

Suggested Citation

Zuellig, R.E., and Carlisle, D.M., 2021, Estimating invertebrate response to changes in total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and specific conductance at sites where invertebrate data are unavailable: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2021–5070, 24 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20215070.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Purpose and Scope
  • Study Methods
  • Effectiveness of Propensity Score-Based Stratification
  • Modeling Invertebrate Response to Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, and Specific Conductance
  • Estimated Changes in Invertebrate Richness at Sites with Known Trends in Water Quality
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Covariate Definitions and Data Characteristics for each Propensity Score-Based Stratum
  • Appendix 2. Graphical Representation of Invertebrate Response to Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, and Specific Conductance
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Estimating invertebrate response to changes in total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and specific conductance at sites where invertebrate data are unavailable
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2021-5070
DOI 10.3133/sir20215070
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston VA
Contributing office(s) Colorado Water Science Center, WMA - Earth System Processes Division
Description Report: v, 24 p.; Data Release
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details