2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH

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5/25/2021  |   8:30 AM - 10:30 AM   |  IMPACTS OF STREAM DAYLIGHTING ON HABITAT CONNECTIVITY – EXAMINING UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES IN AN URBAN STREAM RESTORATION   |  Virtual Platform

IMPACTS OF STREAM DAYLIGHTING ON HABITAT CONNECTIVITY – EXAMINING UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES IN AN URBAN STREAM RESTORATION

Urban stream burial is a widespread practice in heavily developed urban areas. Stream burial changes key drivers of stream ecosystems – eliminating light, altering physical habitat within the buried reach, and reducing basal resources and macroinvertebrates. These alterations can alter connectivity within stream ecosystems by potentially increasing habitat fragmentation. Restoration projects often explicitly aim to restore connectivity within urban streams. Using a before-after-control-impact (BACI) study design, we are evaluating how the removal of a large (>100 m) culvert and restoration has influenced connectivity in an urban stream within Cincinnati, OH, USA. In particular, we are estimating near-term impacts on physical habitat characteristics, stream water physiochemistry, periphyton biomass, and macroinvertebrate density and diversity. Within the first 6 months of monitoring post-restoration, we found that stream daylighting led to substantial drying in the newly daylighted stream reach (which was perennial prior to restoration), increasing habitat fragmentation. Drying has reduced periphyton biomass in the newly daylighted channel when compared to the “before” period. Although reduced connectivity was an unintended short-term consequence of this restoration, long-term project effectiveness remains unclear, as evolution of the stream channel and riparian regrowth is ongoing.

  • Urban streams
  • Ecosystem
  • Biological effects

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Presenters/Authors

Chelsea Hintz (), University of Cincinnati, hintzca@mail.uc.edu;


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Ishi Buffam (), University of Cincinnati, ishi.buffam@uc.edu;


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Michael Booth (), University of Cincinnati, michael.booth@uc.edu;


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