Applied Freshwater Stream Ecology

1. The Applied Study of Freshwater Streams
What Is the Applied Study of Freshwater Streams?
The Water Cycle
Stream Discharge, Equilibrium, and Development
Human Pressure on a Key Resource
Economic Considerations
2. Use of Applied Science in Freshwater Investigations
Freshwater Scientific Investigations
Focus Box—Writing Scientifically
Focus Box—Interpretation of Results
Measurement and Scale
Focus Box—Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Data
Translating Your Scientific Findings Into Policy
References
3. The Unique Characteristics of Water
Key Chemical Characteristics
Key Physical Properties
Types of Flow
Heat and Light
4. Characterizing Streams in the Watershed
What Is a Watershed?
Characterizing Stream Habitats
Aquatic Ecology
The River Continuum
Hydrology
Sediment and Erosion
References
5. Physical Characteristics of Streams
Background
Stream Attributes
Bankfull
Discharge
Streambed
Floodplain
Rosgen Stream Classification
Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI)
References
6. Chemical Characteristics of Streams
Background
Dissolved Oxygen
Temperature
pH
Conductivity
Alkalinity
Oxidation-Reduction Potential(ORP)
Carbon
Phosphorus
Nitrogen
Sulfur
Nutrient Limitation and Spiraling in Lotic Systems
Water Quality Index (WQI)
Reference
7. Plants as Pollution Indicators
Background
Periphyton in Streams
Use as Water Quality Indicators
Aquatic Macrophytes
Macrophytes as Water Quality Indicators
References
8. Mollusks as Pollution Indicators
Background
Gastropoda
Using Snails for Water Quality Analysis
Important Snail Families
Pelecypoda (Bivalves)
Mussels and Clams and Water Quality
References
9. Macroinvertebrates as Pollution Indicators
Background
Aquatic Insect Life History
Morphology
Important Macroinvertebrate Orders
Using Macroinvertebrates to Characterize Water Quality
Indices of Water Quality
References
10. Using Freshwater Fishes to Monitor Water Quality
Background
Fish Characteristics
Important Fish Families to Know
Sampling Freshwater Fishes
Using the Metric of Biological Integrity
Metrics for Water Quality
IBI Score
References
11. Pollution Ecology and Our Understanding of Streams
Background
Distribution and Dispersal
Movement
Ecosystem Ecology and Stable Steady States
References
12. Water Quality Regulation and Improvement
How Did We Get Here?
Stormwater and Regulation
TMDLs, NPDES, BMPs, and SCMs
Rezoning and Conditional Use Permits
Focus Box—The Paradox of Development
Education and Monitoring
References
Glossary
Index