Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/7120
Title: Validating the operational Draft Regional Guidebook for the functional assessment of high-gradient ephemeral and intermittent headwater streams in Western West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky
Authors: Wetlands Regulatory Assistance Program (U.S.)
Noble, Chris V.
Summers, Elizabeth A.
Berkowitz, Jacob F., 1979-
Keywords: Appalachian Region
Biogeochemical cycling
Ephemeral streams
Floristic quality
Functional assessment
Headwater streams
HGM assessment
High gradient streams
Hydrogeomorphic assessment
Intermittent streams
Salamander habitat
Stream hydrology
Stream macroinvertebrate
Stream sediment transport
Wetlands Regulatory Assistance Program (U.S.)
Publisher: Environmental Laboratory (U.S.)
Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.: ERDC/EL TR ; 14-7.
Description: Technical Report
Abstract: Headwater streams within the Appalachian region perform a number of ecosystem functions potentially impacted by human alterations. The current study sought to validate a Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) assessment, examining 1) Habitat, 2) Biogeochemical Cycling, and 3) Hydrology functions of high-gradient headwater streams in western West Virginia and eastern Kentucky. Validation of the Habitat function focused on: 1) abundance and richness of amphibians, 2) richness and composition of benthic macroinvertebrates, and 3) floristic quality. Validation of the Biogeochemical Cycling function examined 1) nutrient inputs, 2) processing, and 3) the stream loading of nutrients and materials. The Hydrology validation study examined: 1) surface hydrology, 2) sediment transport, and 3) stream channel geomorphology. Within all three functions, sites with high HGM scores performed Habitat, Biogeochemical Cycling, and Hydrology functions at increased levels compared to sites with lower scores. The HGM assessment effectively differentiated between high and low functioning headwater stream ecosystems, and validation results support the use of these functional assessments in headwater stream ecosystems. NOTE: This file is large. Allow your browser several minutes to download the file.
Rights: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11681/7120
Appears in Collections:Technical Report

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