HR: 16:15h
AN: NB24E-04    [Abstracts]
TI: Stream Community Structure: An Analysis of Riparian Forest Buffer Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
AU: * Orzetti, L L
EM: luchar27@hotmail.com
AF: George Mason University Department of Environmental Science and Policy, 4400 University Drive, MSN5F2, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 United States
AU: Jones, R C
EM: rcjones@gmu.edu
AF: George Mason University Department of Environmental Science and Policy, 4400 University Drive, MSN5F2, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 United States
AB: Forested riparian buffer zones have been proposed as an important aid in curtailing upland sources of pollution before they reach stream surface waters, and enhancing habitat for stream organisms. Our objective was to test the efficacy of restored forest riparian buffers along streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed by examining the stream macrobenthic community structure. To test our hypothesis, we collected riffle benthic and water samples, and performed habitat evaluations at 30 stream sites in the mid-Atlantic Piedmont, ranging in buffer age from 0 to greater than 50 years of age. Results showed that habitat, water quality, and benthic macroinvertebrate metrics improved with age of restored buffer. Habitat scores were driven mostly by instream substrate availability and width and age of riparian buffer zones. Water quality parameters varied within buffer age groups depending age of surrounding forest vegetation. Benthic invertebrate taxa richness, % EPT, % Plecoptera, % Ephemeroptera, and the FBI all improved with age of buffer zone. Instream habitat quality was the greatest driver of benthic macroinvertebrate community diversity and health, and appeared to plateau within 10-15 years of restoration with noticeable improvements occurring within 5-10 years post restoration.
DE: 1899 General or miscellaneous
DE: 4804 Benthic processes/benthos
DE: 9350 North America
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly