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A Large-Scale, Multiagency Approach to Defining a Reference Network for Pacific Northwest Streams

Environmental Management volume 58, pages 1091–1104 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Aquatic monitoring programs vary widely in objectives and design. However, each program faces the unifying challenge of assessing conditions and quantifying reasonable expectations for measured indicators. A common approach for setting resource expectations is to define reference conditions that represent areas of least human disturbance or most natural state of a resource characterized by the range of natural variability across a region of interest. Identification of reference sites often relies heavily on professional judgment, resulting in varying and unrepeatable methods. Standardized methods for data collection, site characterization, and reference site selection facilitate greater cooperation among assessment programs and development of assessment tools that are readily shareable and comparable. We illustrate an example that can serve the broader global monitoring community on how to create a consistent and transparent reference network for multiple stream resource agencies. We provide a case study that offers a simple example of how reference sites can be used, at the landscape level, to link upslope management practices to a specific in-channel response. We found management practices, particularly areas with high road densities, have more fine sediments than areas with fewer roads. While this example uses data from only one of the partner agencies, if data were collected in a similar manner they can be combined and create a larger, more robust dataset. We hope that this starts a dialog regarding more standardized ways through inter-agency collaborations to evaluate data. Creating more consistency in physical and biological field protocols will increase the ability to share data.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Chuck Hawkins and Scott Miller of the Utah State Western Monitoring Center and Aquatic Ecology Lab, and Sean Gordon of Portland State University, for constructive comments throughout the development of this manuscript, Raphael Mazor provided R code for PCA graphics, and Steve Wilcox constructed maps and performed reference final screening. This work was funded by the BLM, Forest Service (Regions 5 & 6), and the Environmental Protection agency through interagency support of the Northwest Forest Plan Aquatic and Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aquatic and Riparian Monitoring Program, US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA

    Stephanie Miller & Peter Eldred

  2. College of Forestry, Oregon State University, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA

    Ariel Muldoon

  3. Department of Fish and Wildlife, State of Oregon, Hwy 34, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA

    Kara Anlauf-Dunn & Charlie Stein

  4. Department of Environmental Quality, State of Oregon, Hillsboro, OR, 97124, USA

    Shannon Hubler, Lesley Merrick & Nick Haxton

  5. Environmental Assessment Program, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, WA, 98503, USA

    Chad Larson

  6. Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Andrew Rehn & Peter Ode

  7. Department of Watershed Sciences, Western Center for Monitoring and Assessment of Freshwater Ecosystems, and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322-5210, USA

    Jake Vander Laan

Authors
  1. Stephanie Miller
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  2. Peter Eldred
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  3. Ariel Muldoon
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  4. Kara Anlauf-Dunn
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  6. Shannon Hubler
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  7. Lesley Merrick
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  9. Chad Larson
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  10. Andrew Rehn
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Correspondence to Stephanie Miller.

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Miller, S., Eldred, P., Muldoon, A. et al. A Large-Scale, Multiagency Approach to Defining a Reference Network for Pacific Northwest Streams. Environmental Management 58, 1091–1104 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-016-0739-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-016-0739-6

Keywords

  • Reference site
  • Minimally disturbed
  • Aquatic
  • Stream
  • Monitoring