2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
5/21/2018 | 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM | USING ECOLOGICAL EXPERTISE AND ASSESSMENT DATA TO INFORM FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT IN STREAM RESTORATIONS | 330 A
USING ECOLOGICAL EXPERTISE AND ASSESSMENT DATA TO INFORM FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT IN STREAM RESTORATIONS
Data from Fairfax County’s (VA) biological monitoring program are used to evaluate the in-stream community as surrogates for water quality through the use of a locally-derived Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (B-IBI). Recent changes to the monitoring program include investigations into the benthic community as indicators of local scale factors, such as allochthonous organic inputs, drainage area, landscape slope, percentage of impervious area and habitat quality. In addition, assemblage data were compared among the level IV ecoregions found in Fairfax County. Local landscape variability is highly influential in benthic community structure and function. As Fairfax County undertakes stream restoration projects, these factors will likely contribute to challenges to achieve regulatory goals for benthic recovery. In an effort to improve the biological outcomes of stream restorations, County ecologists and urban foresters are consulted regarding community habitat requirements, are incorporated into project teams, and assist with the implementation of stream restorations. This discussion summarizes the above factors using Fairfax County stream monitoring data (2004-2016) and highlights lessons learned through the incorporation of ecologists in the stream restoration process.
- Functional Ecology
- Bioassessment
- Landscape
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Presenters/Authors
Chris Ruck
(), Fairfax County DPWES, Watershed Assessment Branch, christopher.ruck@fairfaxcounty.gov;
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LeAnne Astin
(), Fairfax County Stormwater Planning, leanne.astin@fairfaxcounty.gov;
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Jonathan Witt
(), Fairfax County Division of Stormwater Planning, jonathan.witt@fairfaxcounty.gov;
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