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Direct and indirect effects of human population density and land use on physical features and invertebrates of Iowa (U.S.A.) streams

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Abstract

To improve understanding of human impacts on headwater stream condition, we quantified relationships between human, terrestrial landscape, and stream system variables in 29 central Iowa watersheds. Across study watersheds, between 0 and 100 % of total land area was characterized as “urban” (developed and barren land), whereas cultivated land constituted between 0 and 71 % of watershed area. Several variables were measured for each stream and associated watershed. Strengths of correlative relationships were used to select variables for path analysis, which we used to gain insight into factors affecting stream condition by evaluating direct and indirect effects of human system variables, terrestrial landscape variables, and physical stream variables on stream invertebrates. Results indicated that in predominantly urban watersheds, contaminant inputs to streams (measured by streamwater conductivity) negatively affected invertebrates, including EPT taxa (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera), and streamwater contaminant concentrations increased with impervious surface and human population density in the watershed. In rural watersheds, high streamwater nitrogen concentrations associated with cultivated land were related to declines in invertebrate taxon richness. Independent of land use, invertebrate abundance and taxonomic diversity were positively related to coarse substrate abundance on the streambed. Additionally, stream flow (discharge) increased with watershed area, which in turn increased invertebrate taxonomic diversity. Apparently, mechanisms responsible for human impacts on stream condition in central Iowa depend on dominant land use in the watershed. Additionally, stream ecosystems with high quality benthic habitat, and those located in large watersheds with greater flow, appear to be more resilient to land use effects.

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Acknowledgments

The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Iowa State University) funded this study. Michaeleen Gerken, Joe Bolton, Philip Bice, Emily Kiefer, Robert Manatt, and Michael Collazo assisted in the field and laboratory. Jiayu Wu and Zachary Keninger provided guidance on GIS analysis, and Kristine Maurer assisted with path analysis.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chisago Lakes High School, 29400 Olinda Trail, Lindstrom, MN, 55045, USA

    Alister R. Olson

  2. Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Timothy W. Stewart & Janette R. Thompson

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  1. Alister R. Olson
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  2. Timothy W. Stewart
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Correspondence to Timothy W. Stewart.

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Olson, A.R., Stewart, T.W. & Thompson, J.R. Direct and indirect effects of human population density and land use on physical features and invertebrates of Iowa (U.S.A.) streams. Urban Ecosyst 19, 159–180 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-015-0479-z

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