EARLY HEARING DETECTION AND INTERVENTION VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
MARCH 2-5, 2021

(Virtually the same conference, without elevators, airplane tickets, or hotel room keys)

<< BACK TO AGENDA

5/22/2019  |   10:15 AM - 10:30 AM   |  USING CRITICAL LOADS OF AQUATIC SYSTEMS TO GUIDE FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT   |  151 DEF

USING CRITICAL LOADS OF AQUATIC SYSTEMS TO GUIDE FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT

The National Park Service protects the natural and cultural diversity of some of America’s definitive landscapes. Many of these areas have long been deteriorating due to acid rain pollution which has begun a rapid decline after the passage of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment. But, as emissions began to decline not all affected ecosystems responded in kind. Therefore scientists and managers came together to identify thresholds of pollution at which ecosystems were expected to change, and thus provide a goal for future emissions reductions to preserve parks and allow them to recover. Critical loads of aquatic systems identify the amount of pollution at which negative impacts occur (decreased ANC/pH) to freshwater and the species existing within (decline in fish growth/reproduction). These thresholds are used to understand the risk to park resources, and have been an effective tool for communication among scientists, managers, policy makers, and the public. As emissions are declining below the critical loads, we are seeing some systems rebound while others remain impaired. Comparing and contrasting how species are responding allows managers to determine where active management (liming, species reintroduction) is necessary to rebuild the natural community.

  • Environmental Regulation
  • Conservation
  • Biogeochemistry

Presentation:
This presentation has not yet been uploaded.

Handouts:
Handout is not Available

Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference


Presenters/Authors

Michael Bell (), National Park Service, Air Resources Division, michael_d_bell@nps.gov;


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -

Andrea Stacy (), National Park Service, Air Resources Division, andrea_stacy@nps.gov ;


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -

Jim Renfro (), Great Smoky Mountains National Park, jim_renfro@nps.gov ;


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -

Jayln Cummings (), Shenandoah National Park, jalyn_cummings@nps.gov ;


ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -