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Regional-Scale Associations Between Indicators of Biological Integrity and Indicators of Streamflow Modification

Open-File Report 2019-1088
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191088

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Abstract

Although streamflow is widely recognized as a controlling factor in stream health, empirical relations between indicators of anthropogenic modification of streamflow and ecological indicators have been elusive. The objective of this report is to build upon specific findings reported in recent publications by providing a library of empirical models that describe the relations between streamflow modification and indicators of biological integrity. Biological monitoring data from 812 streams and rivers across the United States were matched with sites where daily streamflow was also monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey. Of these sites, 118 were sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey along gradients of streamflow modification within 3 regional focus studies. The integrity of invertebrate and fish communities was expressed as a binary variable, “impaired” or “unimpaired,” signifying whether or not the composition and structure of the biological community was statistically reduced relative to regional reference sites. Streamflow modification at each gaged site was quantified with 509 streamflow statistics scaled to express the ratio of observed streamflow conditions to site-specific expected conditions in the absence of human influences on watershed hydrology. For each region, generalized additive modeling was used to examine relations between each indicator of streamflow modification and indicators of biological integrity (response variable). In every region examined, statistically defensible and ecologically realistic relations were found between indicators of streamflow modification and indicators of biological integrity. These findings can aid practitioners and managers seeking to (1) propose empirically based hypotheses about the specific components of streamflow regimes that are critical to aquatic communities, which can subsequently be explored in detail in a region or river basin of interest; and (2) predict biological responses to anthropogenic modification of specific components of the streamflow regime.

Suggested Citation

Carlisle, D.M., Grantham, T.E., Eng, K., Wolock, D.M., 2019, Regional-scale associations between indicators of biological integrity and indicators of streamflow modification: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2019–1088, 10 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191088.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Biological Indicators
  • Results
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Regional-scale associations between indicators of biological integrity and indicators of streamflow modification
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2019-1088
DOI 10.3133/ofr20191088
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) National Water Quality Assessment Program, Office of Water Quality, WMA - Earth System Processes Division
Description iv, 10 p.
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details