Urbanizations’ Impact on Streams and Management Strategies

Based on US Department of Interior, US Geological Survey Circular 1378

Cappiella, Karen, Stack, W.P., Fraley-McNeal, Lisa, Lane, Cecilia, and McMahon, Gerard, 2012, Strategies for managing the effects of urban development on streams: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1378, 69 p. Available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1378/

To determine the magnitude and pattern of:

• Physical• Biological• Chemical

Responses of streams to increasing urban development across the United States

Purpose of the Study

Source ofStudy referred to :National Water-Quality Assessment Program, Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems, accessed August 10, 2012, at http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/urban/.

Source: Strategies for Managing the Effects of Urban Development on Streams. US Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey Circular 1378, page 1

Findings

1. Urban streams are affected by multiple stressors2. Biological responses of steam biota varied across the

country3. Forested watersheds are likely to support the most

sensitive biological communities4. Urban development significantly increases the

amount of flash flooding and sudden flow increases5. Urban development increases the number of stream

contaminants and the concentration of those contaminants

Coles, J.F., McMahon, Gerard, Bell, A.H., Brown, L.R., Fitzpatrick, F.A., Scudder Eikenberry, B.C., Woodside, M.D., Cuffney, T.F., Bryant, W.L., Cappiella, Karen, Fraley-McNeal, Lisa, and Stack, W.P., 2012, Effects of urban development on stream ecosystems in nine metropolitan study areas across the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1373, 138 p. Available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1373/; p. 6

Source: Smith, M., de Groot, D., Perrot-Maîte, D. and Bergkamp, G. (2006). Pay – Establishing payments for watershed services. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. Reprint, Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 2008.

Ecosystem Services provided by Streams

Identify ecosystem services provided:

Source: Smith, M., de Groot, D., Perrot-Maîte, D. and Bergkamp, G. (2006). Pay – Establishing payments for watershed services. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. Reprint, GlandSwitzerland: IUCN, 2008.

Source: Smith, M., de Groot, D., Perrot-Maîte, D. and Bergkamp, G. (2006). Pay – Establishing payments for watershed services. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. Reprint, Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 2008.

Source: Strategies for Managing the Effects of Urban Development on Streams. US Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey Circular 1378, page 17