5/19/2015  |   13:30 - 13:45   |  101CD

BIOGEOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS MUST BE CONSIDERED INDIVIDUALLY WHEN EVALUATING STREAM RESTORATION OUTCOMES Stream restoration is an often-used tool to improve impaired systems and offset functional losses elsewhere, but considerable doubt remains concerning its effectiveness in restoring biogeochemical functions such as nutrient retention and organic matter processing. These functions are rarely monitored in restored streams and are often inferred rather than measured, calculated as a single index from rapid structural assessments. This study investigated biogeochemical function in restored and unrestored reaches of Fawn River (IN); restoration focused on fine sediment and macrophyte removal. Ecosystem metabolism and nutrient uptake measurements were made during restoration and in the 12 months following restoration. Results highlight the importance of considering biogeochemical functions individually, as they may emerge to differing extents and over different timescales. Primary production and ecosystem respiration were strongly reduced in magnitude in the restored reach across all sampling events, suggesting whole-stream metabolism is a highly sensitive functional measure which responds rapidly to the restoration practices investigated. No discernable patterns in nutrient retention in restored or unrestored reaches were detected, suggesting that changes in nutrient retention may not emerge as fully or as quickly.

Joseph Morgan (Primary Presenter/Author), USEPA, morgan.joseph@epa.gov;


Jeffrey White (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Indiana University Bloomington, whitej@indiana.edu;


Todd V. Royer (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Indiana University Bloomington, troyer@iu.edu;

5/19/2015  |   13:45 - 14:00   |  101CD

IMPACTS OF RESTORATION ON ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES IN MIDWESTERN STREAMS Several kilometers of degraded stream reaches in the US are restored annually, but few projects are monitored after completion. Besides modifications to physical attributes, the influence of such restorations on ecosystem processes remains largely unknown. We sampled seven Midwestern streams that had undergone habitat restorations from 4-15 years prior to our study. Restoration techniques included in-stream habitat enhancements, bank stabilization, and riparian restoration. Restored reaches and unrestored upstream reaches were sampled for water chemistry and biological processes. Whole stream metabolism was estimated using a single station approach. We predicted that gross primary production (GPP) would be lower in restored streams because of decreased nutrient inputs, and that respiration would be greater because of increased litter inputs from restored riparian areas. However, GPP in restored sites was significantly higher than unrestored sites (t6 = -4.9, p =0.002), despite no differences in PO4-3 and NO3- concentrations. Five restored sites were autotrophic (P/R > 1), while six unrestored sites were heterotrophic. Results suggest that restoration projects are shifting streams to an autotrophic state, likely due to changes in canopy cover and light penetration.

Jessica Fulgoni (Primary Presenter/Author), Missouri Department of Conservation, jessica.Fulgoni@mdc.mo.gov;


Kerry McLeran (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Southern Illinois University, kmcleran@siu.edu;


Matt Whiles (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Florida, mwhiles@ufl.edu;


Heidi Rantala (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, heidi.rantala@state.mn.us;


Alicia Beattie (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Southern Illinois University, alica.beattie@siu.edu;

5/19/2015  |   14:00 - 14:15   |  101CD

STABLE ISOTOPE FOOD WEBS SUGGEST INCOMPLETE RECOVERY IN ACID MINE DRAINAGE REMEDIATED STREAMS Remediation of streams impaired by acid mine drainage (AMD) is often successful in reducing acidity and dissolved metals. Biological communities, as measured by multimetric indices, which emphasize taxonomic diversity, often show a similar pattern of recovery. However, the goal of restoration is to improve both biological communities and processes within the stream. Previous research has suggested that AMD-remediated streams exhibit decreased primary productivity in comparison with unimpaired streams. In this study, we investigated the impact of this potential difference in system function by examining food web dynamics using stable isotopes for three AMD-unimpaired, three AMD-impaired, and three AMD-remediated streams in southeastern Ohio. Compared with unimpaired streams, autochthonous resources (chlorophyll a) in remediated and impaired streams were reduced. Isotopic analysis showed that three invertebrate predators (Aeshnidae, Calpterygidae and Corydalidae) had lower reliance on autochthonous basal resources in remediated and impaired streams. Impaired streams had significantly reduced trophic niche space compared to unimpaired and remediated streams. Our results suggest that although the taxonomic diversity in these remediated streams has improved, food webs are still heavily dependent on detritus based carbon sources.

Sam Drerup (Primary Presenter/Author), Trine University , drerups@trine.edu;


Kelly Johnson (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Ohio University, johnsok3@ohio.edu;


Morgan Vis (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Ohio University, vis-chia@ohio.edu;

5/19/2015  |   14:15 - 14:30   |  101CD

USE OF ANNUAL HYPORHEIC TEMPERATURES SIGNALS TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF CHANNEL REALIGNMENT Channel and aquifer geomorphology govern the rate and pattern of hyporheic exchange and also the mechanisms of heat exchange between the channel and hyporheic zone. Therefore, documenting how reach-scale alterations of channel planform alter rates and patterns of hyporheic exchange can inform our understanding of heat exchange between the channel and hyporheic zone. Here, we document how large-scale channel realignment affects the temperature of the aquifer and surface water, utilizing annual temperature signals measured at the restoration site and modeled changes in hyporheic flow patterns. By a novel application of the advection-diffusion equation, we can predict water temperature at any point and time along a hyporheic flow path. We use the equation to predict temperature along modeled hyporheic flow paths pre- versus post-alignment, which we present here.

Byron Amerson (Primary Presenter/Author), Montana State University, byron.amerson@gmail.com;


Geoffrey Poole (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Montana State University, Montana Institute on Ecosystems, gpoole@montana.edu ;


Scott O'Daniel (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Confederated Umatilla Tribes, scottodaniel@ctuir.org;


Michael Lambert (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Umatilla Tribes, MikeLambert@ctuir.org;

5/19/2015  |   14:30 - 14:45   |  101CD

FROM CONCRETE CHANNELS TO RESTORED REACHES: EVALUATING THE ECOLOGICAL STATE OF RE-NATURALIZED STREAMS IN URBAN WATERSHEDS Urban streams are often severely degraded due to channelization, high loads of nutrients and contaminants, and development in the watershed (e.g., impervious surfaces). Channel re-naturalization can improve ecosystem structure and function, but the details of the restoration approach and location within the watershed are likely to mediate the benefits. We quantified metrics of structure and function in restored reaches and contiguous concrete channels of six urban streams in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The streams spanned gradients in both discharge (15-210 L/s) and watershed position (i.e., headwater to mainstem). Nutrient concentrations were generally high and did not differ between the restored and concrete reaches. However, chlorophyll-a and organic matter were generally higher in the concrete reaches, while transient storage metrics were higher in the restored reaches. Functional metrics, such as whole-stream metabolism and nutrient uptake, did not differ consistently between the reaches, perhaps due to variation in watershed characteristics across the urban landscape. Our research suggests that channel restorations do improve some ecosystem structure and function relative to adjoining concrete channels, but streams cannot be fully restored by re-naturalizing short reaches alone.

Peter S. Levi (Primary Presenter/Author), Drake University, Des Moines, IA, USA, plevi@wisc.edu;


Sofia I. Macchiavelli (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, sofia.macchiavelli@upr.edu;


Peter B. McIntyre (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Cornell University, pbm3@cornell.ecu;