Project Number: WVA00079
CRIS Number: 0175268
LINKING THE EFFECTS OF LAND USE/FOREST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES UPON FISH AND INVERTEBRATE PRODUCTION
Investigators: Hartman, K. J.
Performing Department: Forestry -- 1240
Start Date: 05/01/1997
Termination Date: 04/30/2002
Reporting period: 01/01/2001 to 12/31/2001
Progress Report:
This project has generated great dividends to the agencies and industries associated with forest and fisheries management in this region. Field studies to assess the role of sediment, drought, and other physical and environmental variables upon brook trout and aquatic macroinvertebrates have been completed during 2001. Laboratory studies on the sub-lethal affects of sediment from land use practices (e.g. logging and unfinished roads) have identified the impact of this form of water pollution upon brook trout foraging and production. Field studies identified the size of sediment particle that is linked to declines in brook trout reproduction and the amount of this fine sediment that negatively affects brook trout reproduction in streams. It was found that the very smallest sediment particles (< 0.063 mm), which are common from unfinished roads in forests, are the size that impacts reproduction. Further, it takes only a very small quantity of this fine sediment (< 1% of substrate by weight) to induce these negative effects. This research is very important to the management of the Appalachian forests and their remnant road network. Additional work in 2002 and beyond is focusing on managing habitat in streams to help store sediment by adding large woody debris (LWD). The LWD will create pools and sediment storage areas in streams that will enhance fish habitat for increased fish production. This project has resulted in the completion of 3 M.S. theses, many peer-reviewed manuscripts (see publications below), and numerous presentations at scientific meetings. Three MS students have completed their degree in association with this research (J. Sweka, J. Hakala, and M. Kaller) and three students (1 Ph.D.- J. Sweka, 2 M.S.- M. Jenkins, J. Webster) are conducting ongoing research under this project. This project has been critical in tying together additional partners in stream research. With the base research generated under this project Dr. Hartman has been able to partner with the U.S. Forest Service Monongahela National Forest and Westvaco Corporation to support the diversity of studies reported herein.
Publications:
Sweka, J. A., and K. J. Hartman. 2001. Fall and winter brook trout prey selection and daily ration. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 55:000-000.
Hartman, K. J. and J. A. Sweka. 2001. Development of a bioenergetics model for Appalachian brook trout. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 55:000-000.
Kaller, M., K. J. Hartman, and T. Angradi. 2001. Experimental determination of benthic macroinvertebrate metric sensitivity to fine sediment in Appalachian streams. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 55:000-000.
Luo, J., K. J. Hartman, S. B. Brandt, T. A. Rippetoe, and C. F. Cerco. 2001. A spatially-explicit approach for estimating carrying capacity: An application for the Atlantic menhaden (Brevootia tyrannus) in Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries 24(4):545-555.
Sweka, J. A. and K. J. Hartman. 2001. Effects of turbidity on prey consumption and growth in brook trout and implications for bioenergetics modeling. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 58:386-393.
Sweka, J. A. and K. J. Hartman. 2001. Influence of turbidity on brook trout reactive distance and foraging success. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 130:138-146.
Hartman, K. J. and B. Preston. 2001. Stocking. Chapter 11 In: Fish Hatchery Management, 2nd edition. G. Wedemeyer, editor. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.
Impact:
This research will lead to improved understanding of the impact of forestry and land use upon stream habitat and biota. Such an understanding will lead to improved management practices and mitigation towards implementing the water quality standards such as TMDLs. Specific information on the impact of land use and sedimentation upon stream fishes and invertebrates is critical to implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) and minimizing impacts to watersheds from forestry and agricultural operations. Identifying what sediment sizes result in impacts to stream biota leads to identification of the source of the non-point source sediment pollutant because different sources yield different particle sizes. Knowledge of these factors can lead to implementation of better BMPs and mitigation trade-offs such as large woody debris addition to streams that can be used to enhance the stream's capacity to handle sediment and increase carrying capacity for stream fishes, while permitting some limited harvest in the streamside management zones. Such activities can lead to increased economic growth in the Appalachian forests while improving land management and ecological aspects of forested watersheds.