Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of the effectiveness of best management practices for streams draining agricultural landscapes using diatoms and macroinvertebrates

  • Primary Research Paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, a bioassessment was conducted to determine the effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) implemented in farms in the Upper Delaware River watershed, NY (USA). Diatom and macroinvertebrate communities were analyzed across 17 low-order streams, designated as reference, BMP, or non-BMP. Streams lacking improvements (non-BMP) had significantly greater specific conductance, pH, TDP, NH4 +-N, and NO3 −-N than did reference streams. Diatom model affinity (DMA) values were significantly greater in reference and BMP streams than in non-BMP streams; non-BMP streams bordered on a “severely impacted” rating. The Trophic Diatom Index (TDI) varied two-fold among stream classes, with non-BMP > BMP > reference. TDI and DMA values were highly correlated, and both varied significantly with conductance, TDP, NH4 +-N, and NO3 −-N. Macroinvertebrate taxa, EPT richness, and Simpson’s diversity did not differ significantly among stream classes. Macroinvertebrate metrics (HBI, Bioassessment Profile, Percent Model Affinity) varied by stream class, but none indicated greater water quality in BMP sites. Nonetheless, each correlated significantly with conductance and TDP in the directions predicted by each model. Our data suggest that diatoms are more sensitive to moderate increases in nutrients, conductivity, and pH in high-gradient agricultural streams, and may be more useful in assessing stream management practices.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Public Health Association, 1985. Standard Methods for the Analysis of Water and Wastewater, 16th ed. American Public Health Association, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arscott, D. B., C. L. Dow & B. W. Sweeney, 2006. Landscape template of New York City’s drinking water supply watersheds. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 25: 867–886.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashendorff, A., M. A. Principe, A. Seeley, J. LaDuca, L. Beckhardt, W. Faber Jr. & J. Mantus, 1997. Watershed protection for New York City’s supply. Journal of the American Water Works Association 89: 75–88.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, R. C., R. H. Norris & T. B. Reynoldson, 2001. Taxonomic resolution of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in bioassessments. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 20: 280–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbour, M. T., J. Gerritsen, B. D. Snyder & J. B. Stribling, 1999. Rapid Bioassessment Protocols For Use In Streams And Wadeable Rivers: Periphyton, Benthic Invertebrates and Fish, 2nd edn. EPA 841-B-99-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Begon, M., J. L. Harper, & C. R. Townsend, 1990. Ecology: Individuals, Populations and Communities, 2nd edn. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Boston, MA: 945 pp.

  • Benedetti-Cecchi, L., 2001. Beyond BACI: optimization of environmental sampling designs through monitoring and simulation. Ecological Applications 11: 783–799.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bode, R.W., M. A. Novak, L. E. Abele, D. L. Smith, & A. J. Smith, 2002. Quality assurance work plan for biological monitoring in New York State. Division of Water, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY: 115 pp.

  • Brenner, F. J., R. N. Barber & J. S. Walent, 2005. Stream characteristics and nonpoint pollution impacts on aquatic communities in the Lake Latonka watershed, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 79: 65–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Callanan, M., J.-R. Baars & M. Kelly-Quinn, 2008. Critical influence of seasonal sampling on the ecological quality assessment of small headwater streams. Hydrobiologia 610: 245–255.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carlisle, D. M., C. P. Hawkins, M. R. Meador, M. Potapova & J. Falcone, 2008. Biological assessments of Appalachian streams based on predictive models for fish, macroinvertebrate, and diatom assemblages. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 27: 16–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, S. R., N. F. Caraco, D. L. Correll, R. W. Howart, A. N. Sharpley & V. H. Smith, 1998. Nonpoint pollution of surface waters with phosphorus and nitrogen. Ecological Applications 8: 559–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chessman, B., S. Williams & C. Besley, 2007. Bioassessment of streams with macroinvertebrates: effect of sampled habitat and taxonomic resolution. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 26: 546–565.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, S., S. W. Golladay, G. Vellidis & C. M. Pringle, 2003. Macroinvertebrates biomonitoring in intermittent coastal plain streams impacted by animal agriculture. Journal of Environmental Quality 32: 1036–1043.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dayton, P. K., 1998. Reversal of the burden of proof in fisheries management. Science 279: 821–822.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dodds, W. K., J. R. Jones & E. B. Welch, 1998. Suggested classification of stream trophic state: distributions of temperate stream types by chlorophyll, total nitrogen, and phosphorus. Water Research 32: 1455–1562.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feio, M. J., S. F. P. Alamieda, S. C. Craveiro & A. J. Calado, 2007. Diatoms and macroinvertebrates provide consistent and complementary information on environmental quality. Fundamental and Applied Limnolog / Archiv für Hydrobiologie 168: 247–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gascuel-Odoux, C., F. Massa, P. Durand, P. Merot, O. Troccaz, J. Baudry & C. Thenail, 2009. Framework and tools for agricultural landscape assessment relating to water quality protection. Environmental Management 43: 921–935.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hering, D., R. K. Johnson, S. Kramm, S. Schmutz, K. Szoszkiewicz & P. F. M. Verdonschot, 2006. Assessment of European streams with diatoms, macrophytes and fish: a comparative metric-based analysis of organism response to stream. Freshwater Biology 51: 1757–1785.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, B. H., F. H. McCormick, A. T. Herlihy, P. R. Kaufmann, R. J. Stevenson & C. B. Johnson, 2000. Use of periphyton assemblage data as an index of biotic integrity. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 19: 50–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilsenhoff, W. L., 1987. An improved index of organic stream pollution. Great Lakes Entomologist 20: 31–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isachsen, Y. W., E. Landing, J. M. Lauber, L. V. Rickard & W. B. Rogers (eds), 2000. Geology of New York. A Simplified Account, 2nd ed. The New York State Geological Survey, Albany, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, R. K., D. Hering, M. T. Furse & R. T. Clarke, 2006. Detection of ecological change using multiple organism groups: metrics and uncertainty. Hydrobiologia 566: 115–137.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, M. G., 1998. Use of the trophic diatom index to monitor eutrophication in rivers. Water Research 32: 236–242.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, M. G., 2000. Identification of benthic diatoms in rivers. Field Studies 9: 583–700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, M. G. & B. A. Whitton, 1995. The Trophic Diatom Index: a new index for monitoring eutrophication in rivers. Journal of Applied Phycology 7: 433–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitner, M. & A. Poulickova, 2003. Littoral diatoms as indicators for the eutrophication of shallow lakes. Hydrobiologia 506–509: 519–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 1986. Bacillariophyceae. 1. Teil: Naviculaceae. In H. Ettl, J. Gerloff, H. Heynig & D. Mollenhauer (eds), Süsswasser flora von Mitteleuropa, Band 2/1. Gustav Fischer Verlag: Stuttgart, New York: 876 pp.

  • Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 1988. Bacillariophyceae. 2. Teil: Bacillariaceae, Epithemiaceae, Surirellaceae. In H. Ettl, J. Gerloff, H. Heynig & D. Mollenhauer (eds), Süsswasserflora von Mitteleuropa, Band 2/2. Gustav Fischer Verlag: Jena: 596 pp.

  • Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 1991a. Bacillariophyceae. 3. Teil: Centrales, Fragilariaceae, Eunotiaceae. In H. Ettl, J. Gerloff, H. Heynig & D. Mollenhauer (eds), Süsswasserflora von Mitteleuropa, Band 2/3. Gustav Fischer Verlag: Stuttgart, Jena: 576 pp.

  • Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 1991b. Bacillariophyceae. 4. Teil: Achnanthaceae, Kritische Ergänzungen zu Navicula (Lineolatae) und Gomphonema, Gesamtliteraturverzeichnis Teil 1-4. In H. Ettl, J. Gerloff, H. Heynig & D. Mollenhauer (eds), Süsswasserflora von Mitteleuropa, Band 2/4. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg & Berlin: 468 pp.

  • Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 2000. Bacillariophyceae. Part 5: English and French translation of the keys, Teil 2/5, In B. Büdel, G. Gärtner, L. Krienitz, & H. Lokhorst (eds), Süsswasserflora von Mitteleuropa,Band 2/5. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg & Berlin: 311 pp.

  • Kratzer, E. B., J. K. Jackson, D. B. Arscott, A. K. Aufdenkampe, C. L. Dow, L. A. Kaplan, J. D. Newbold, B. W. Sweeney, 2006. Macroinvertebrate distribution in relation to land use and water chemistry in New York City drinking-water-supply watersheds. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 25: 954–976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyriakeas, S. A. & M. C. Watzin, 2006. Effects of adjacent agricultural activities and watershed characteristics on stream macroinvertebrate communities. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 42: 425–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavoie, I., W. F. Vincent, R. Pienitz & J. Painchaud, 2004. Benthic algae as bioindicators of agricultural pollution in the streams and rivers of southern Québec (Canada). Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 7: 43–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lenat, D. R., 1984. Agriculture and stream water quality: a biological evaluation of erosion control practices. Environmental Management 8: 333–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lenat, D. R., 1988. Water quality assessment of streams using a qualitative collection method for benthic macroinvertebrates. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 7: 222–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzen, C. J., 1967. Determination of chlorophyll and pheopigments: spectrophotometric equations. Limnology & Oceanography 12: 343–346.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lowrance, R., R. Todd, J. Fail Jr., O. Hendrickson Jr., R. Leonard & L. Asmussen, 1984. Riparian forests as nutrient filters in agricultural watersheds. BioScience 34: 374–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCafferty, W. P., 1981. Aquatic Entomology. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA: 448 pp.

  • Mehaffey, M. H., M. S. Nash, T. G. Wade, C. M. Edmonds, D. W. Ebert, K. B. Jones, & A. Rager, 2001. A Landscape Assessment of the Catskill/Delaware Watersheds 1975–1998. New York City’s Water Supply Watersheds. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, EPA/600/R-01/075.

  • Merritt, R. W. & K. W. Cummins (eds), 1996. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America, 3rd edn. Kendall/Hunt, Dubuque, IA: 862 pp.

  • Muenz, T. K., S. W. Golladay, G. Vellidis & L. L. Smith, 2006. Stream buffer effectiveness in an agriculturally influenced area, southwestern Georgia: responses of water quality, macroinvertebrates, and amphibians. Journal of Environmental Quality 35: 1924–1938.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Newall, P., N. Bate, L. Metzeling, 2006. A comparison of diatom and macroinvertebrate classification of sites in the Kiewa River system, Australia. Hydrobiologia 572: 131–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Novak, M. A. & R. W. Bode, 1992. Percent model affinity: a new measure of macroinvertebrate community composition. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 11: 80–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, P. J. & J. D. Wehr, 2010. Periphyton biomass and ecological stoichiometry in streams within an urban to rural land-use gradient. Hydrobiologia 657: 89–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor, R. J., T. E. Walls & R. M. Hughes, 2000. Using multiple taxonomic groups to index the ecological condition of lakes. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 61: 207–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osborne, L. L. & D. A. Kovacic, 1993. Riparian vegetated buffer strips in water-quality restoration and stream management. Freshwater Biology 29: 243–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, M. A., E. S. Bernhardt, J. D. Allan, P. S. Lake, G. Alexander, S. Brooks, J. Carr, S. Clayton, C. N. Dahn, J. Follstad Shah, D. L. Galat, S. Gloss, P. Goodwin, D. D. Hart, B. Hassett, R. Jenkinson, G. M. Kondolf, R. Lave, J. L. Meyer, T. K. O’Donnell, L. Pagano & E. Sudduth, 2005. Standards for ecologically successful river restoration. Journal of Applied Ecology 42: 208–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Passy, S. I. & R. W. Bode, 2004. Diatom Model Affinity (DMA), a new index for water quality assessment. Hydrobiologia 524: 241–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Passy, S. I., R. W. Bode, D. M. Carlson & M. A. Novak, 2004. Comparative environmental assessment in the studies of benthic diatom, macroinvertebrate, and fish communities. International Review of Hydrobiology 89: 138–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patrick, R. & C. W. Reimer, 1966. The diatoms of the United States, exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii, Volume 1-Fragilariaceae, Eunotiaceae, Achnanthaceae, Naviculaceae. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia Monograph No. 13: 688 pp.

  • Patrick, R. & Reimer, C. W., 1975. The diatoms of the United States, exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii, Volume 2, Part 1-Entomoneidaceae, Cymbellaceae, Gomphonemaceae, Epithemaceae. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia Monograph No. 13: 213 pp.

  • Peckarsky, B. L., P. R. Fraissinet, M. A. Penton, & D. J. Conklin Jr., 1995. Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of Northeastern North America. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY: 442 pp.

  • Potapova, M. & D. F. Charles, 2007. Diatom metrics for monitoring eutrophication in rivers of the United States. Ecological Indicators 7: 48–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards, C., G. E. Host & J. W. Arthur, 1993. Identification of predominant environmental factors structuring stream macroinvertebrate communities within a large agricultural catchment. Freshwater Biology 29: 285–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rumeau, A. & M. Coste, 1988. Initiation a la systématique des Diatomées d’eau douce pour l’utilisation pratique d’un indice diatomique générique. Bulletin Francais de la Pêche et le la Pisciculture 309: 1–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, J. A., K. A. Lewis, K. S. Bardon, P. Tucker, J. A. Catt & B. J. Chambers, 1997. An overview of the environmental impact of agriculture in the U.K. Journal of Environmental Management 50: 111–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, A. J., R. W. Bode & G. S. Kleppel, 2007. A nutrient biotic index (NBI) for use with benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Ecological Indicators 7: 371–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soininen, J. & K. Könönen, 2004. Comparative study of monitoring South-Finnish rivers and streams using macroinvertebrate and benthic diatom community structure. Aquatic Ecology 38: 63–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R. R. & F. J. Rohlf, 1995. Biometry, 3rd edn. W.H. Freeman and Co., NY: 887 pp.

  • Solorzano, L. & J. H. Sharp, 1980. Determination of total dissolved phosphorus and particulate phosphorus in natural waters. Limnology and Oceanography 25: 754–758.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thorp, J. H. & A. P. Covich, 2001. Ecology and classification of North American freshwater invertebrates, 2nd edn. Academic Press, San Diego, CA: 1056 pp.

  • Tim, U. S., R. Jolly & H.-H. Liao, 1995. Impact of landscape feature and feature placement on agricultural non-point-source-pollution control. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 121: 463–470.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torrisi, M., S. Scuri, A. Dell’Uomo & M. Cocchioni, 2010. Comparative monitoring by means of diatoms, macroinvertebrates and chemical parameters of an Apennine watercourse in central Italy: The River Tenna. Ecological Indicators 10: 910–913.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Triest, L., P. Kaur, S. Heylen & N. De Pauw, 2001. Comparative monitoring of diatoms, macroinvertebrates and macrophytes in the Woluwe River (Brussels, Belgium). Aquatic Ecology 35: 183–194.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • U.S.E.P.A., 1987. Handbook of Methods for Acid Deposition Studies. Laboratory Analysis for Surface Water Chemistry. EPA600/4-87/026, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S.E.P.A., 2000. Atlas of America’s Polluted Waters. EPA 840-B00-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L., D. M. Robertson & P. J. Garrison, 2007. Linkages between nutrients and assemblages of macroinvertebrates and fish in wadeable streams: implication to nutrient criteria development. Environmental Management 39: 194–212.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watershed Agricultural Council, 2010. Watershed Agricultural Program 2009 Annual Report and 2010 Workload for the New York City Catskill/Delaware and Croton Watersheds. (http://www.nycwatershed.org/pdfs/2009WAPAnnualReportCompressed.pdf).

  • Winter, J. G. & H. C. Dutie, 2000. Stream biomonitoring at an agricultural test site using benthic algae. Canadian Journal of Botany 78: 1319–1325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yates, A. G. & R. C. Bailey, 2010. Covarying patterns of macroinvertebrate and fish assemblages along natural and human activity gradients: implications for bioassessment. Hydrobiologia 637: 87–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yates, A. G., R. C. Bailey & J. A. Schwindt, 2007. Effectiveness of best management practices in improving stream ecosystem quality. Hydrobiologia 583: 331–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Watershed Agricultural Council (Walton, NY) for providing information on the locations and names of farms in the Upper Delaware Watershed. The authors also thank the farmers in the region who provided permission to access their property and sample streams that drain them. The authors also thank Alissa Perrone and Jennifer Epstein (Fordham University) for their assistance in the laboratory and with GIS analysis. K.W.G. gratefully acknowledges financial support from a fellowship from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Fordham University.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Louis Calder Center—Biological Field Station and Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Armonk, New York, USA

    Kurt W. Gabel, John D. Wehr & Kam M. Truhn

  2. New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Kurt W. Gabel

Authors
  1. Kurt W. Gabel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John D. Wehr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kam M. Truhn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John D. Wehr.

Additional information

Handling editor: Jasmine Saros

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gabel, K.W., Wehr, J.D. & Truhn, K.M. Assessment of the effectiveness of best management practices for streams draining agricultural landscapes using diatoms and macroinvertebrates. Hydrobiologia 680, 247–264 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0933-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0933-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation