Restoration Of Aquatic Ecosystems Research Articles

Interactive decision procedure for watershed nutrient load reduction: An integrated chance-constrained programming model with risk–cost tradeoff

Nutrient load reduction is a well-recognized requirement for aquatic ecosystem restoration. However, decision making is difficult due to challenges related to uncertainty and the interaction between decision makers and modelers, including (a) the quantitative relationship between risks arising from different aspects and the fact that cost is not usually revealed and (b) the fact that decision makers are not significantly involved in the modeling process. In this study, an interactive optimal-decision procedure with risk–cost tradeoff is proposed to overcome these limitations. It consists of chance-constrained programming (CCP) models, risk scenario analysis using the Taguchi method, risk–cost tradeoff and feedback for model adaption. A hybrid intelligent algorithm (HIA) integrating Monte Carlo simulation, artificial neural networks, and an augmented Lagrangian genetic algorithm was developed and applied to solve the CCP model. The proposed decision procedure and HIA are illustrated through a case study of uncertainty-based optimal nutrient load reduction in the Lake Qionghai Watershed, China. The CCP model has four constraints associated with risk levels indicating the possibility of constraint violation. Sixteen risk scenarios were designed with the Taguchi method to recognize the interactions between multiple constraint risks and total cost. The results were analyzed using the signal-to-noise ratio, analysis of variance, and multivariate regression. The model results demonstrate how cost is affected by risk for the four constraints and show that the proposed approach can provide effective support for decision making on risk–cost tradeoffs.

Behavioural and physical effects of arsenic exposure in fish are aggravated by aquatic algae

Arsenic contamination has global impacts and freshwaters are major arsenic repositories. Arsenic toxicity depends on numerous interacting factors which makes effects difficult to estimate. The use of aquatic algae is often advocated for bioremediation of arsenic contaminated waters as they absorb arsenate and transform it into arsenite and methylated chemical species. Fish are another key constituent of aquatic ecosystems. Contamination in natural systems is often too low to cause mortality but sufficient to interfere with normal functioning. Alteration of complex, naturally occurring fish behaviours such as foraging and aggression are ecologically relevant indicators of toxicity and ideal for assessing sublethal impacts. We examined the effects of arsenic exposure in the invasive mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, in a laboratory experiment incorporating some of the complexity of natural systems by including the interacting effects of aquatic algae. Our aims were to quantify the effects of arsenic on some complex behaviours and physical parameters in mosquitofish, and to assess whether the detoxifying mechanisms of algae would ameliorate any effects of arsenic exposure. Aggression increased significantly with arsenic whereas operculum movement decreased non-significantly and neither food capture efficiency nor consumption were notably affected. Bioaccumulation increased with arsenic and unexpectedly so did fish biomass. Possibly increased aggression facilitated food resource defence allowing fish to gain weight. The presence of algae aggravated the effects of arsenic exposure. For increase in fish biomass, algae acted antagonistically with arsenic, resulting in a disadvantageous reduction in weight gained. For bioaccumulation the effects were even more severe, as algae operated additively with arsenic to increase arsenic uptake and/or assimilation. Aggression was also highest in the presence of both algae and arsenic. Bioremediation of arsenic contaminated waters using aquatic algae should therefore be carried out with consideration of entire ecosystem effects. We highlight that multidisciplinary, cross-taxon research, particularly integrating behavioural and other effects, is crucial for understanding the impacts of arsenic toxicity and thus restoration of aquatic ecosystems.

Risk assessment of wetland under aluminium and iron toxicities: A review

The chemical composition of aquatic habitat, environmental conditions and trend monitoring could reflect changes in species composition over time. Vegetation plays an important role in decontamination and waste treatment water inlet and received by wetlands. They provide carbon substrate for microbes which are important in processing wastewater contaminants. Metabolism in plants, however, requires micronutrients such as Aluminium (Al) and Iron (Fe). Al is toxic to many plants at concentrations greater than 2–3 pap at soil pH < 5.5. Al interferes with cell divisions in root tips and lateral roots, increases cell wall rigidity, maintains proper cellular redox state and various other biochemical, physiological and growth responses. Excess concentration of reducible Fe on acidic soils poses constraint primarily on wetland plants. The authors evaluate aspects of Al and Fe in anoxic biochemical processes, Al and Fe uptake, transport and distribution in wetland ecosystem. The review objective is to focus on wetland monitoring, as it was discovered that wetland ecosystems are at risk of degradation unless properly managed. A poor understanding of the value of wetlands will continue to encourage resource overuse and degradation, thus escalating threats to development through the environmental risk associated with remobilization of metal contaminants and the recycling to the food chain. Protection and restoration of aquatic ecosystems and their services in the face of pressures from land-use change, urbanization, and global warming which affects climate change, rising sea level, coastal erosion and lowland flooding are important.

Channel Evolution of Sandy Reservoir Sediments Following Low-Head Dam Removal, Ottawa River, Northwestern Ohio, U.S.A.

Dozens of low-head dams are removed annually for reasons of obsolescence, financial liability, public safety, or as part of aquatic ecosystem restoration. Prior to removing a dam, hydrologic and sedimentologic studies are used to predict channel changes that would occur after the proposed dam removal. One commonly used predictive approach is a channel evolution model (CEM). However, most CEMs assume that the reservoir has trapped cohesive silts and muds. This study looks at the effects of low-head dam removal on a reservoir in filled with sand-rich sediment. The Secor Dam (2.5 m tall, 17 m wide) was constructed on the Ottawa River in northwestern Ohio (USA) during 1928 and was removed in 2007. High resolution channel cross-sections were measured at 17 locations prior to dam removal and re-measured every approximately 30 days for 6 months following the removal. Sediment sampling, sediment traps, substrate sampling, differential GPS tracking of channel bed forms and sediment coring were also used to characterize the channel sediment response to dam removal. Breaching of the dam produced a diffuse nickzone which was the width of the channel and about 10 m in length. One initial response was downstream migration of a sediment wave at rates up to 0.5 m/hr. The overall effect was erosion of the former reservoir to a distance of 150 m upstream of the former dam. Portions of the former reservoir were incised >1 m. Within the first 6 months after removal, approximately 800 m3 of sand had been mobilized from the former reservoir, transported downstream past the former dam, and had primarily in-filled pre-existing pools within a reach approximately 150 m downstream of the former dam. This behavior significantly differs from the predicted results of current CEMs which anticipate a first flush of suspended sediment and minor deposition of bed load materials in the channel downstream of the former dam.

Fates of Microcystis aeruginosa Cells and Associated Microcystins in Sediment and the Effect of Coagulation Process on Them

During toxic Microcystis aeruginosa blooms, large amounts of cells can enter sediment through natural settlement, and coagulation treatment used to control water blooms can enhance the accumulation of cells. However, the current understanding of the fates of these cells and associated microcystins (MCs), as well as the effect of coagulation treatment on these factors, is limited. The results of the present study show that Microcystis aeruginosa cells in sediment were steadily decomposed under experimental conditions, and that they completely disappeared within 28 days. The major MCs released from settled cells were immediately degraded in sediment, and microbial degradation may be the main mechanism involved in this process. Coagulation treatment with PAC (polyaluminium chloride) + sepiolite can efficiently remove Microcystis aeruginosa cells from the water column and prevent their re-invasion. Furthermore, coagulation treatment with PAC + sepiolite had no significant effect on the release and decomposition of MCs and, thus, will not enhance the MCs pollution. However, coagulation treatment can accelerate the nutrient cycle by enhancing the settlement of cells. More attention should be paid to the effect on nutrient cycle when coagulation treatment is used for restoration of aquatic ecosystems.

The Flooding Tolerance and Growth Characteristics of 2 Woody Species by Flooding Durations for Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration

This study was carried out to select the suitable plants for aquatic ecosystem restoration such as lakes and streams. In this study, 2 woody species were investigated for their survival and growth characteristics in the complete and partly flooding condition with 1day, 3days and 5days flooding durations. Flooding tolerance ofRosa multiflorais high and available on half flooded conditions, and no tolerance on complete flooded conditions except 1day flooding. And flooding tolerance ofSpiraea prunifoliais high and available when flooded within 3days. Consequentially, it realized thatRosa multifloraandSpiraea prunifoliaknown as upland terrestrial plants are available in aquatic ecosystems also, and it is realizedRosa multiflorais more effective thanSpiraea prunifolia.

HISN3 Mediates Adaptive Response of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to Excess Nickel

Investigation of genes for heavy metal [e.g. nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn)] absorption and detoxification in green algae is of great importance because some of the metals have become one of the major contaminants in the aquatic ecosystem. In plants, overload of heavy metals modifies many aspects of biological processes. However, the mechanisms by which heavy metals exert detrimental effects are not fully understood. The present study identified a biological role for HISN3 (the gene coding for phosphoribosylformimino-5-aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide isomerase) in regulating the response of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a unicellular green alga, to Ni toxicity. In higher plants, HISN3 encodes an enzyme catalyzing the fourth step in the histidine biosynthesis pathway, but its functional importance is yet to be identified. Transgenic algae overexpressing HISN3 in C. reinhardtii showed high tolerance to excess Ni, with a 48.3-57.4% increase in cell population and moderate histidine accumulation compared with the wild type. HISN3 overexpression improved accumulation of Chl and photosynthesis efficiency, but suppressed Ni-induced generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides. Interestingly, more Ni and other metals [Zn, iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and magnesium (Mg)] were accumulated in HISN3-overexpressing cells than in the wild type. In contrast, RNA interference of HISN3 depressed Ni accumulation but caused cellular sensitivity to Ni. The elevated metal absorption in the HISN3-overexpressing algae implies that the metals can be removed from water media. Thus, our work presents an example for algae genetically designed to improve tolerance to metal toxicity and environmental restoration of metal-contaminated aquatic ecosystems.

Asymmetric response of early warning indicators of phytoplankton transition to and from cycles

Phytoplankton populations often exhibit cycles associated with nuisance blooms of cyanobacteria and other algae that cause toxicity, odor problems, oxygen depletion, and fish kills. Models of phytoplankton blooms used for management and basic research often contain critical transitions from stable points to cycles, or vice-versa. It would be useful to know whether aquatic systems, especially water supplies, are close to a critical threshold for cycling blooms. Recent studies of resilience indicators have focused on alternate stable points, although theory suggests that indicators such as variance and autocorrelation should also rise prior to a transition from stable point to stable cycle. We investigated changes in variance and autocorrelation associated with transitions involving cycles using two models. Variance rose prior to the transition from a small-radius cycle (or point) to a larger radius cycle in all cases. In many but not all cases, autocorrelation increased prior to the transition. However, the transition from large-radius to small-radius cycles was not associated with discernible increases in variance or autocorrelation. Thus, indicators of changing resilience can be measured prior to the transition from stable to cyclic plankton dynamics. Such indicators are potentially useful in management. However, these same indicators do not provide useful signals of the reverse transition, which is often a goal of aquatic ecosystem restoration. Thus, the availability of resilience indicators for phytoplankton cycles is asymmetric: the indicators are seen for the transition to bloom–bust cycles but not for the reverse transition to a phytoplankton stable point.

The land value impacts of wetland restoration

U.S. regulations require offsets for aquatic ecosystems damaged during land development, often through restoration of alternative resources. What effect does large-scale wetland and stream restoration have on surrounding land values? Restoration effects on real estate values have substantial implications for protecting resources, increasing tax base, and improving environmental policies. Our analysis focuses on the three-county Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill, North Carolina region, which has experienced rapid development and extensive aquatic ecological restoration (through the state's Ecosystem Enhancement Program [EEP]). Since restoration sites are not randomly distributed across space, we used a genetic algorithm to match parcels near restoration sites with comparable control parcels. Similar to propensity score analysis, this technique facilitates statistical comparison and isolates the effects of restoration sites on surrounding real estate values. Compared to parcels not proximate to any aquatic resources, we find that, 1) natural aquatic systems steadily and significantly increase parcel values up to 0.75 mi away, and 2) parcels <0.5 mi from EEP restoration sites have significantly lower sale prices, while 3) parcels >0.5 mi from EEP sites gain substantial amenity value. When we control for intervening water bodies (e.g. un-restored streams and wetlands), we find a similar inflection point whereby parcels <0.5 mi from EEP sites exhibit lower values, and sites 0.5–0.75 mi away exhibit increased values. Our work points to the need for higher public visibility of aquatic ecosystem restoration programs and increased public information about their value.

Science to Support Management of Receiving Waters in an Event-Driven Ecosystem: From Land to River to Sea

Managing receiving-water quality, ecosystem health and ecosystem service delivery is challenging in regions where extreme rainfall and runoff events occur episodically, confounding and often intensifying land-degradation impacts. We synthesize the approaches used in river, reservoir and coastal water management in the event-driven subtropics of Australia, and the scientific research underpinning them. Land-use change has placed the receiving waters of Moreton Bay, an internationally-significant coastal wetland, at risk of ecological degradation through increased nutrient and sediment loads. The event-driven climate exacerbates this issue, as the waterways and ultimately Moreton Bay receive large inputs of nutrients and sediment during events, well above those received throughout stable climatic periods. Research on the water quality and ecology of the region’s rivers and coastal waters has underpinned the development of a world-renowned monitoring program and, in combination with catchment-source tracing methods and modeling, has revealed the key mechanisms and management strategies by which receiving-water quality, ecosystem health and ecosystem services can be maintained and improved. These approaches provide a useful framework for management of water bodies in other regions driven by episodic events, or where novel stressors are involved (e.g., climate change, urbanization), to support sustained ecosystem service delivery and restoration of aquatic ecosystems.

A tribute to the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society and its founder, Mohi Munawar

Aquatic ecology received a boost globally in 1989 with the establishment of the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society (AEHMS). The mission of the Society is “to encourage and promote integrated ecosystemic and holistic initiatives for the protection and conservation of global aquatic resources.” It focuses on “adoption of ecosystem health concepts and practices in relation to remediation and restoration of stressed aquatic ecosystems.” Its mandate includes the organization of conferences and workshops and the publication of its primary journal, Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management (AEHM), and books in the Ecovision World Monograph Series.A total of 42 special issues of the journal have been published to date. Over half of the issues contain contributions pertaining to the Laurentian Great Lakes, with the remainder devoted to aquatic ecosystems in other temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Publication of books in the Ecovision World Monograph Series commenced in 1995 with “The Lake Huron Ecosystem: Ecology, Fisheries and Management.” Of the 21 Ecovision books published to date, 10 directly concern the Laurentian Great lakes including the landmark State of the Lakes volumes. Other volumes feature ecosystem concepts and aquatic resources in Mexico, China, the Persian Gulf, the Nordic Region, the Himalayas and other Great Lakes of the world.The global scope of both the special issues and Ecovision publications reflects the mandate of AEHMS to promote an integrated ecosystem-based approach to aquatic ecology in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Most of the publications are proceedings of conferences and workshops organized by AEHMS alone, or with other organizations. This process is ongoing. Publications in progress include results from studies in Sweden, India, Africa, Lake Ontario, Bay of Quinte and Hamilton Harbour. Clearly, the mission and mandate established by the Society in 1989 have been fulfilled and will continue into the future.The amount and scope of information on global aquatic ecosystems organized and published by AEHMS is enormous. This would not have been possible without the foresight and outstanding leadership provided by Dr. Mohi Munawar, President of AEHMS and Chief Editor of AEHM and Ecovision World Monograph Series. He initiated the concept of the Society, organized it and has managed its activities since inception.Dr. Munawar's energy and productivity are legendary. Peer respect is reflected in the eight distinguished awards he has received to date including all three major awards from the International Association for Great Lakes Research. His contributions to Great Lakes science through his research activities and numerous publications are without parallel in the Great Lakes research community. His enormous contributions to aquatic ecosystem science through AEHMS are recognized and appreciated globally as evidenced by the international awards he has received including an Honorary Doctorate from Gothenburg University, Sweden and a Fellowship from The Aca- demy of Science, Engineering and Technology of India.Dr. Munawar is the originator and prime motivator of a world-class ecological society and the wealth of information accruing over more than two decades would not have been generated without his initiative and dedication. It is also important to mention that the AEHMS has a competent, diligent and dedicated editorial staff which ensures that each issue of the journal and Ecovision volumes is published with the utmost quality and excellence.

Underwater Archaeology at 41HY147, the Terrace Locality at Spring Lake

Underwater investigations conducted at Spring Lake in the 1970s and 1980s by the late Dr. Joel Shiner contributed to our overall understanding of the archaeological record in Central Texas and its relationship to prehistory in North America. His work not only produced abundant evidence for early Paleoindian occupations associated with freshwater spring sites but also helped to demonstrate a nearly continuous sequence of occupation spanning more than 13,000 years, from Clovis times through the Spanish Colonial era and into the historic period. Using field notes and correspondences held in the records and collections repository at the Center for Archaeological Studies, Texas State University-San Marcos, we reconstruct a history of Shiner’s work at the lake and present new analytic data about the temporally diagnostic artifacts comprising the 41HY147 collection. Results are discussed in the context of regional findings elsewhere. In addition to detailed descriptions of this collection, we have given special attention to preparing high quality illustrations of many of these artifacts, most of which are presented to the public for the first time in this report. Publication of the findings from this early research at Spring Lake illustrates the significance of this site in the cultural landscape, and provides a sound basis for the ongoing and future scientific investigations here. The report was undertaken as an alternative mitigation measure to help offset potentially unavoidable impacts to important cultural resources at Spring Lake that may have occurred as part of the recently completed Section 206 aquatic ecosystem restoration project at the headwaters of the San Marcos River conducted jointly by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Texas State University.

Integrating Ecology and Economics for Restoration: Using Ecological Indicators in Valuation of Ecosystem Services

Because it can uniquely furnish insights into nonuse values for ecosystem services, survey‐based Stated Preference (SP) valuation is widely used to estimate the benefits of ecological restoration. SP surveys ask respondents to select among restoration options yielding different ecological outcomes. This review examines the representation of ecological outcomes in SP studies seeking to quantify values for restoration of aquatic ecosystems. To promote the validity of ecological indicators used in SP valuation, we identified four standards: indicators should be measurable, interpretable, applicable, and comprehensive. We reviewed recent SP studies estimating the value of aquatic ecosystem services to assess whether ecological indicators in current use had these desirable properties. More than half of the 54 indicators reviewed were measurable, meaning referable to potentially precise quantification. About one‐third were interpretable, that is, presented in a way that facilitates understanding the effects of restoration. About three quarters of the indicators were applicable; SP valuation practitioners typically consult with natural scientists to ensure that indicators represent the effect of stressors on ecological systems and with focus groups to ensure that indicators have a connection with ecosystem services that contribute to public well‐being. While most of the SP studies employed diverse and potentially comprehensive indicators that could capture direct and indirect effects of restoration, and 6 of 20 studies used indicators that met all standards, shortcomings in the indicators were common. These problems can be rectified with attention to how natural scientists measure change and to relationships between restoration outcomes and characteristics of fully restored reference ecosystems.

滇池外海蓝藻水华爆发反演及规律探讨

Eutrophication in lakes or reservoirs can lead to blue-green algae(BGA) bloom that is detrimental to the aquatic ecosystems and often pose a potentially serious health threat to people having access to the impaired waters.Since 1990s,Lake Dianchi has been experiencing BGA bloom almost on an annual basis,raising ever increasing levels of concerns from the public and governments.To control the eutrophication and reduce the outbreak frequency of BGA bloom in Lake Dianchi,it is necessary to identify the responsive relationship between the BGA bloom and the influencing factors including nutrient loadings,weather conditions,among others.However,to fulfill this task is very difficult in practice since there exist no,and it is impossible to obtain,a complete dataset that simultaneously covers the occurrence of BGA bloom and the influencing factors due to the transient and heterogeneous nature of the Lake Dianchi system.Even though the remote sensing technology offers a cost-effective way to acquire data about the occurrence of BGA bloom,it still far from sufficient to provide a complete dataset due to the data gap from lack of observations or interruption by clouds. To overcome the data limitation in deriving reliable relationship between BGA blooms and the main influencing factors,this study applied a robust EMB algorithm to reconstruct a complete dataset from the available dataset with missing data,hence forming a basis for quantitatively relating the BGA bloom to its contributing factors.The analysis starts with discovering the general trend of BGA bloom in Lake Dianch through using boxplots of chlorophyll-a data in the lake,which shows that the area represented by monitoring station Huiwanzhong appears to be the most likely place for BGA bloom.As for temporal trend,it was found that the chlorophyll-a concentration doesn′t have as much variability inter-annually as intra-annually.In general,chlorophyll-a concentrations increase from February to August,and then decrease thereafter until the next February.Subsequently,a multiple imputation based EMB algorithm was employed to re-construct the entire basic datasets from month April to October from 2004 through 2008 for the Waihai of Lake Dianchi based on the available incomplete datasets of weather condition and BGA bloom.With the complete datasets,the relationship between chlorophyll-a and outbreak probability of BGA bloom was established using conditional probability curves for two time ranges,i.e.,from April to October and June to September,respectively.The analysis suggests that there is a threshold concentration of chlorophyll-a determining whether a BGA bloom would occur.However,the same method was found to be invalid for analyzing the relationship between outbreak frequency and nutrient concentrations.The scatter plots of TN vs.TP along with labels of BGA bloom occurrence indicate that 1) there might not be a threshold exists for TN or TP to control BGA;2) it seems more efficient to reduce concentration of TN than TP;3) it is necessary to control concentration of TN and TP at a reasonable and realistic range,while pursuing a higher water quality standard in short term might not be necessary. The results of this study suggest that it is critical to reduce TN and TP under water quality standard level V by all means,while at the same time,supplemental measures such as water volume control,water quality and hydrodynamic condition adjustment and aquatic ecosystem restoration should be taken to direct the lake ecological system to evolve from the phytoplankton dominant regime to the macrophyte dominant regime.

Results of Archaeological Monitoring of the Spring Lake Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project, Texas State University-San Marcos, Hays County, Texas

The Center for Archaeological Studies (CAS) at Texas State University-San Marcos conducted archaeological monitoring investigations in association with the Spring Lake Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project between October 2011 and July 2012. These archaeological monitoring investigations were the result of mitigation efforts proposed in the Historic Properties Treatment Plan drafted in accordance to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed and enacted between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Texas State University-San Marcos, and the Texas Historical Commission. Archaeological monitoring investigations consisted of monitoring all demolition and ground-disturbing activities conducted during the course of the Spring Lake Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project. All cultural deposits or potential cultural deposits were identified, assessed, and documented during the project by archaeological monitors, and time-diagnostic artifacts were collected. Locations of deposits were recorded and uploaded to a GIS database of the Spring Lake area for future reference. No significant cultural remains were identified or impacted by demolition and ground-disturbing activities of the Spring Lake Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project.

Principles for the monitoring and evaluation of wetland extent, condition and function in Australia

The monitoring of resource condition is receiving renewed attention across several levels of government in Australia. This interest is linked to substantial investment in environmental remediation and aquatic ecosystem restoration in particular. In this context, it is timely to consider principles which ought to guide the development and implementation of monitoring programmes for wetland ecosystems. A framework is established which places monitoring in the context of the strategic adaptive management of wetlands. This framework requires there has to be clear goals for the extent and condition of the resource, with these goals being defined within thresholds of acceptable variability. Qualitative and, where possible, quantitative conceptual models linking management interventions to management goals should be the basis of indicator selection and assessment. The intensity of sampling ought to be informed by pilot surveys of statistical power in relation to the thresholds of acceptable variability identified within the management plan.

Rapid assessment of headwater stream macroinvertebrate diversity: an evaluation of surrogates across a land-use gradient

Implementation of policies about the conservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems' biodiversity and ecological integrity requires rapid assessment methods. The landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains, spanning an unusually steep gradient of land-use intensity from a European perspective, offer great opportunities for evaluating such methods. Focusing on the orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT), we evaluated three approaches for assessing macroinvertebrate species richness in second and third order streams: (1) the use of data at higher taxonomic levels, (2) the use of species-level data, and (3) the use of abundance data. The number of families was a reliable indicator of species richness within EPT. Species richness of Trichoptera was strongly correlated to species richness in Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera, and thus in the EPT group as a whole, whereas species richness in Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera did not perform as well. We found little evidence for the usefulness of abundance data as a surrogate for species richness within orders, except in Plecoptera. Taxa richness in EPT was generally positively related to forest cover in the catchments and negatively related to the proportion of agricultural land. EPT taxa richness could be used to distinguish between High/Good quality classes and those of lower ecological quality according to the EU Water Framework Directive. Our results suggest that assessments focusing on the family level provide a cost-efficient alternative to species-level assessments in second and third order streams, and point at Trichoptera as a potential indicator group.

Editorial

The Bay of Quinte research program (known as Project Quinte), beginning in 1972, represents the longest continuing multi-agency project in the Great Lakes. Originally it was designed to assess the impact of nutrient levels on aquatic communities before and after the implementation of phosphorus controls. These early research efforts were synthesized and presented by Minns et al. (1986). Since this original publication, the scope of the project has expanded beyond its initial focus of eutrophication to include the impacts of exotic species, as well as climate change on this area of concern (Figure 1).A review of Project Quinte indicated that an integrated, holistic overview was needed to document the ecosystem changes in the Bay of Quinte. After all, it has been nearly 25 years since the last one! A committee of scientists was established from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (C.K. Minns, M. Koops, and M. Munawar) to undertake the organization of a comprehensive publication. The committee's efforts included contacting various scientists working on the Bay and convening three workshops. This resulted in a commitment to convene a symposium and to publish several manuscripts which will comprise two special issues of AEHM. The 53rd Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) in Toronto, Ontario in May 2010 provided an excellent opportunity to convene the symposium on the Ecosystem Health and Recovery of the Bay of Quinte, co-sponsored by the AEHMS.Following the symposium, the papers were submitted for peer review. The present issue consists of 11 papers with a wide range of topics, including: historical conditions, climate change, lower trophic levels, higher trophic levels, contaminants and management. This, the first of the two Bay of Quinte issues, is the 34th special issue of AEHM published since 1998.I would sincerely like to thank Drs. Ken Minns and Marten Koops for their efforts and continued support in the development and publication of this special issue. The AEHMS staff: Lisa Elder, Jennifer Lorimer and Susan Blunt, provided solid technical support. Thanks are also due to Iftekhar F. Munawar, Managing Editor for her advice. The assistance of Mark Fitzpatrick and Heather Niblock is also acknowledged. We are very grateful to Drs. Joe Leach and Ed Mills for their reviews.Hopefully this compendium of long term research will significantly enhance our understanding of the health and recovery of the Bay of Quinte ecosystem, and will be useful to all researchers interested in the elimination of beneficial use impairments and restoration of stressed aquatic ecosystems.

Results of Cultural Resources Survey for the Spring Lake Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project, Texas State University-San Marcos, Hays County, Texas

The Center for Archaeological Studies (CAS) at Texas State University-San Marcos conducted intensive archaeological survey and subsurface testing investigations of the Area of Potential Effect (APE) of the Spring Lake Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project (SLAERP). The SLAERP proposes to restore the aquatic ecosystem components of Spring Lake and riparian corridor/grassland habitat located directly adjacent to the lake to a more natural condition within the constraints of existing land uses. This work will be conducted under Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, which provides authority for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to restore aquatic ecosystems. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the USACE, Texas State University-San Marcos (TxState), and the Texas Historical Commission (THC) regarding the Spring Lake Aquatic Restoration Project required CAS to develop and implement a subsurface testing program to determine the extent of intact cultural deposits within the project area. A testing program was developed and implemented by CAS that included both terrestrial and underwater investigations. Terrestrial investigations consisted of pedestrian survey, shovel test excavation, test unit excavation, auger pit excavation and backhoe trench excavation. Underwater investigations included limited reconnaissance survey, test unit excavation and the extraction of sediment cores. Investigations were conducted within or adjacent to State Archaeological Landmarks 41HY160 and 41HY165. Neither site was adequately delineated prior to this undertaking, and the work reported here results in modified site boundaries within the APE. New site boundaries demonstrate nearly continuous deposits across the APE, confirming that these sites actually represent a single extensive complex of archaeological deposits associated with the freshwater springs that presently form Spring Lake. Based on pending impacts as indicated in the 65 percent project design documents together with the results of the survey, six areas were identified as “Archaeologically Sensitive,” as they contained or possess a high probability to contain cultural deposits that would be negatively impacted by proposed demolition, modifications, and construction. Each of these archaeologically sensitive areas is linked with either 41HY160 or 41HY165, although, given the continuous nature of deposits in the APE, CAS concludes that distinctions between these trinomials are less meaningful than previously believed. CAS recommended the development of mitigation efforts to offset the loss of important information from these areas.

Fuzzy optimal control of reservoir-assisted stormwater treatment areas for aquatic ecosystem restoration

Attachment of stormwater treatment areas (STAs) or constructed wetlands to stormwater retention reservoirs can achieve substantial reductions in pollutant loadings if properly operated and maintained. Besides water quality improvement, optimally operated reservoir-assisted STAs provide support for ecosystem remediation, flood control, and supplemental water supply. An adaptive, multiobjective real-time control model is developed for reservoir-assisted STA systems that incorporates fuzzy rule-based operating rules optimized using a genetic algorithm interacting with a simulation model of the system. The model is applied to the North Fork reservoir-assisted STA located in the watershed of the St. Lucie Estuary, Florida. Optimal daily feedback operational policies are developed for managing freshwater discharges to the Estuary for coastal ecosystem restoration, maximizing the natural treatment efficiency and of the STA, and providing supplemental water supply for irrigation. Testing and validation results from application of the fuzzy optimal control model confirm achievement of multiple targets and criteria for the North Fork project, while demonstrating potential for adaptive management of reservoir-assisted STA systems throughout the coastal regions of south Florida.