HR: 1330h
AN: NB33G-08    [Abstracts]
TI: An Index of Longitudinal Hydrologic Connectivity to Evaluate Effects of Water Abstraction on Streams Dominated by Migratory Shrimps
AU: * Crook, K E
EM: crook@uga.edu
AF: Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 United States
AU: Pringle, C M
EM: cpringle@uga.edu
AF: Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 United States
AU: Freeman, M C
EM: mary@ttrout.ecology.uga.edu
AF: Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 United States
AU: Freeman, M C
EM: mary@ttrout.ecology.uga.edu
AF: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 United States
AU: Scatena, F N
EM: fns@sas.upenn.edu
AF: Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 United States
AB: Massive water withdrawals from streams draining the Caribbean National Forest (CNF), Puerto Rico, are threatening their biotic integrity. Migratory tropical shrimps are ideal indicator species to measure water withdrawal effects on riverine connectivity and biointegrity because: (1) their migratory range encompasses the stream network from estuaries to headwater streams; (2) they represent greater than 90% of biomass in streams draining the CNF; and (3) they facilitate important in-stream ecological processes. We developed an index to evaluate individual and cumulative effects of water intakes on each stage of the shrimp's life-cycle. Effect of water withdrawal on longitudinal connectivity was evaluated by combining effects of water withdrawal on larval and juvenile shrimps. Larvae require downstream transport to the estuary for advancement to the next life-stage, and juveniles similarly require access to headwater streams. Therefore, these two life-stages represent the bi-directional connectivity of streams from headwaters to estuaries. Seventeen water intakes were evaluated in and around the CNF. Larger intakes cause a greater decrease in connectivity than smaller intakes; however, several small, high elevation intakes had very low connectivity. Also, intakes with alternative designs, such as a French drain, have reduced effects on connectivity.
DE: 9902 NABS Student Award Applied Research
DE: 9903 NABS Student Award Methodology
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly