SFS Annual Meeting

5/21/2019  |   09:00 - 09:15   |  251 DE

A USER'S GUIDE TO CRITICAL PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY IN FRESHWATER SCIENCE Freshwater systems are shaped and impacted by both environmental and societal factors. Trying to understand one side without exploring the other can only lead to partial explanations of a system and obscure potential actionable outcomes from research. So why do we, as freshwater scientists, so often underserve, or outright ignore, the societal side of the equation in our research? Critical Physical Geography (CPG) is an emerging body of research dedicated to integrating the methods and theories of physical science and critical human geography. Drawing on a range of examples from freshwater research, this talk will explain the theoretical framework behind CPG, where to find interdisciplinary collaborators, where to publish this type of research, and provide a path for undertaking this type of interdisciplinary research, either as an individual or as part of a research team.

Mitchell Owens (Primary Presenter/Author), Indiana University - Bloomington , owensm42@gmail.com;


Rebecca Lave (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Indiana University, rlave@indiana.edu;


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5/21/2019  |   09:15 - 09:30   |  251 DE

WORKING TO ACHIEVE A CONSENSUS STRATEGY FOR SEDIMENT REDUCTION IN THE MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN: INCORPORATING STAKEHOLDERS INTO THE MODELING PROCESS The Minnesota River drains southern Minnesota, providing a disproportionate load of sediment and nutrients to the upper Mississippi River. Over 90% of the watershed is agricultural, thus the farming community needs to be part of any solution to improve water quality. In 2015, we began the Collaborative for Sediment Source Reduction (CSSR), a group of stakeholders (farmers; agricultural interest groups; state, local, and federal agency staff; researchers; non-profits) that met semi-annually to participate in research discussions and provide feedback for a model to assess which management options provide the most cost-effective approach to lowering suspended sediment loads. Through the process, we collaboratively developed MOSM (Management Options Simulation Model), a data-driven model that calculates erosion rates on fields, routes sediment and water downstream, and allows for management options to reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery rates. MOSM runs quickly, allowing for scenario testing in real-time. The final two (of ten) stakeholder meetings involved using MOSM together to develop a consensus strategy for reducing sediment loading to the MinnesotaRiver. We report here on the method for developing shared understanding in a complex watershed and its utility for tackling complex freshwater problems.

Se Jong Cho (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), SESYNC, scho@sesync.org;


Peter Wilcock (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Utah State University, wilcock@usu.edu;


Ben Hobbs (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Johns Hopkins University, bhobbs@jhu.edu;


Patrick Belmont (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Utah State University, patrick.belmont@usu.edu;


Karen Gran (Primary Presenter/Author), University of Minnesota Duluth, kgran@d.umn.edu;


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5/21/2019  |   09:30 - 09:45   |  251 DE

INTERDISCIPLINARY METHODS SHED NEW LIGHT ON INVASIVE PLANT CONTROL ALONG SOUTHWEST U.S. RIVERS Restoration inherently includes both natural and human elements, although the interaction of the two are rarely investigated in both a qualitative and quantitative way. We considered the outcomes of invasive Tamarix control in riparian areas in the context of the background and perceptions of land managers, particularly to explore whether a disconnect exists between scientists and land managers and if that disconnect is associated with removal outcomes. To address this question, we used vegetation data from 244 Tamarix control sites in the Southwest U.S., surveys from 45 corresponding managers (227 sites), and additional interviews from 21 managers. Through our analysis of these combined data, we found that increased collaboration and involvement of multiple governing organizations (i.e., agencies) are associated with improved plant community composition, highlighting the benefits of some scientific recommendations. Surprisingly, we found that managers’ perception of science did not correlate with vegetation outcomes. Perception of science also did not correlate with whether managers followed scientific recommendations on how they carried out their projects. Our use of interdisciplinary methods gives a richer understanding of this system and provides new evidence for the importance of collaboration in riparian restoration.

Eduardo Gonzalez (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Colorado State University, edusargas@hotmail.com;


Rebecca Lave (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Indiana University, rlave@indiana.edu;


Nathan Sayre (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of California - Berkeley, nsayre@berkeley.edu;


Anne Henry (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Denver, annielh108@gmail.com;


Anna Sher (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Denver, anna.sher@du.edu;


Lisa Clark (Primary Presenter/Author), University of Denver, lisa.buie.clark@gmail.com;


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5/21/2019  |   09:45 - 10:00   |  251 DE

MOWERS VERSUS GROWERS: RIPARIAN BUFFER MANAGEMENT IN THE SOUTHERN BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS, U.S.A. Maintenance of undisturbed soils and vegetation near streams (i.e. a riparian buffer) is fundamental to nonpoint source pollution Best Management Practices, yet the condition of stream buffers in the Southern Blue Ridge (SBR) is frequently determined by individual landowner decisions rather than protective statutes. We examined riparian condition over a 16-year period in the upper Little Tennessee River (ULT) basin in Macon County, North Carolina to quantify change. We then applied a mixed-methods approach to document why landowners are managing these areas, and how they view their actions. Buffer width in 1999 and 2015 was remotely sensed and compared using USGS High Resolution 4-band Digital Orthoimagery. Streambanks without riparian vegetation decreased by 18%, while narrow (one tree width) and intermediate buffer categories increased by 13% each. Shrub buffer increased 73% over 1999 levels, but forested buffer remained essentially static, despite sustained education and restoration initiatives during this time. Interviews are ongoing to document attitudes and motivations for both mowing and replanting of riparian vegetation. The goal of this work is to inform education and management strategies, and to identify opportunities to reconcile landowner preference with stream restoration programs.

Jenny Sanders (Primary Presenter/Author), University of Georgia, jpsanders@uga.edu;


Meredith Welch-Devine (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Georgia, mwdevine@uga.edu;


C. Rhett Jackson (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, RJACKSON@warnell.uga.edu;


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5/21/2019  |   10:00 - 10:15   |  251 DE

CONSERVATION OF A CHARISMATIC AMAZONIAN FRESHWATER FISH (ARAPAIMA SPP.) HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSLATIONAL ECOLOGY To conserve large-bodied, charismatic freshwater fish species, an interdisciplinary, translational ecology approach is needed. This study explored the trends in conservation of the pan-Amazonian Arapaima spp. and had two major components. First, we examined research trends related to Arapaima spp. over the last 50 years by reviewing 198 articles and categorizing them by theme and geography. Our results showed that aquaculture and biology were dominant themes, and most research has been conducted in Brazil. A concentrated review of a subset of articles illustrated the key role of human communities and small-scale fisheries in Arapaima spp. conservation and management. Localized programs that include joint efforts of NGOs, regional government institutions, and community members (specifically fishermen) seem to have boosted population numbers of Arapaima spp. in several places. Second, we conducted field research in the Colombian Amazon to examine community perceptions of Arapaima spp. management at national, regional, and local scales. Our results suggested that local programs work, but without enforcement from regional and national authorities, their success for Arapaima spp. conservation and management will be limited.

Ana A Rojas (Primary Presenter/Author), Florida International University, aroja088@fiu.edu;


Elizabeth P Anderson (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Florida International University, epanders@fiu.edu;


Lis Cordoba (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, ljescobara@unal.edu.co;


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5/21/2019  |   10:15 - 10:30   |  251 DE

A FRAMEWORK FOR EXPLORING AQUATIC AND RIPARIAN CONNECTIVITY - CASE STUDY OF THE CHIRICAHUA LEOPARD FROG IN THE CIENEGA CREEK BASIN Aquatic and riparian ecosystems assume critical importance in arid environments, supporting diverse resident and migratory species over different life stages. Ecological connectivity is imperative in functioning of these ecosystems, and a subject of significant research, management and conservation interest. Stakeholders hold differing perceptions on aquatic and riparian connectivity, and this subject is relatively unexplored in arid landscapes. We focused on these issues in the US portion of the Madrean Archipelago by combining qualitative methods to capture the diversity of perspectives among stakeholders, and quantitative spatial analysis to capture the variety of factors influencing aquatic and riparian connectivity. We synthesized available literature and resultant stakeholder perspectives into a Connectivity Component-Dimension Framework that deconstructs aquatic and riparian connectivity into connectivity components - hydrologic, terrestrial, functional, societal; and their spatio-temporal dimensions. Using GIS and regression analysis, we applied this framework to a case study of the threatened Chiricahua leopard frog (Rana chiricahuensis) in Arizona’s Cienega Creek basin and created connectivity indices for this focal species. This customizable framework can be used by stakeholders for exploratory analysis, conservation decision making, assessment or visualization of aquatic and riparian connectivity, in arid landscapes, and beyond.

Akanksha Sharma (Primary Presenter/Author), Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia / School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona, akanksha.sharma@uga.edu;


Larry Fisher (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona, lafisher@email.arizona.edu;


Don Falk (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona, dafalk@email.arizona.edu;


Michael Bogan (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona, mbogan@email.arizona.edu;


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