Deep Diving into a Watershed’s True Colors: Using Biological Sensitivity to Common Environmental Pollutants to Help Diagnose the WHY in Stream Ecological Conditions

Abstract

"Diatoms and macroinvertebrates have served as a foundation for indicating the ecological condition of freshwater streams for years. Statewide standards for environmental pollutants can serve as an excellent starting point for water quality monitoring, but the complexities and interactions between biological assemblages and environmental stressors warrants a closer look at smaller-scale associations. Despite ongoing water quality monitoring, Wisconsin’s streams and lakes are suffering from, or under severe threat of, eutrophic conditions. Significant management efforts to reduce phosphorus loading are required to offset the effects of phosphorus and climate change. Clear and concise information on local stream ecological condition and water quality can help in achieving nutrient reduction goals more effectively and efficiently. This research uses biological sensitivity to common environmental pollutants to explore why individual streams within the Green Lake Watershed are exhibiting certain ecological conditions. Results of this study can help advise and advocate for future nutrient reduction strategies.

Presenter: Laura Bates, UW-Madison (Introductory, Innovative)"