Landscape characteristics and their influence on water quality in the headwaters of a Northeast Ohio watershed. (Aquatic Biology 09:00 AM, Saturday, April 5, 2003 Brewer/Frost Science 109 Dr. Gwynne Stoner Rife-Presiding).

Holmes, Kathryn L. ; Goebel, P. Charles ; Vadrevu, Krishna 等

9:30

Water quality continues to be a leading environmental concern for waterways of the United States, especially those flowing through agricultural landscapes. As watershed-scale water quality improvement plans emerge, healthy headwater systems are critical because they represent a high proportion of a stream's drainage network and have the ability to retain the majority of pollutants received. One such area is the headwaters of the Sugar Creek watershed in Wayne County, Ohio, which are severely impaired due to nutrient loading, sedimentation, and riparian habitat loss. Nutrient and sediment levels were sampled bimonthly at 21 sites throughout the headwaters watershed for one year. In order to determine and remediate possible sources of impairment, landscape characteristics including hydrologic, geomorphic, soils, and land use were analyzed to determine their influence on water quality within the headwaters of the Sugar Creek. Specifically, we used multivariate analyses (e.g., redundancy analyses) to assess the importance of each of these biophysical and social factors on water quality. Our preliminary results suggest that nitrate levels in the stream are positively correlated with the proportion of the watershed dominated by croplands, and negatively correlated with the proportion dominated by forest and pasture. Concentrations of ammonium and total solids were positively correlated with residential areas. The landscape models will be used to help target areas within the headwaters where best management practices, nutrient management plans, and habitat restoration will be most beneficial within the watershed.

KATHRYN L. HOLMES (1) HOLMES.203@OSU.EDU, P. CHARLES GOEBEL (1), KRISHNA VADREVU (2), DEANA HUDGINS (2), DAVE McCARTNEY (2) OARDC, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, (1) SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND (2) AGROECOSYSTEMS MANAGEMENT GROUP, 1680 MADISON AVE, WOOSTER OH 44691