Status assessment in acid-sensitive and non-acid-sensitive Maryland coastal planin streams using an integrated biological, chemical, physical, and land-use approach

摘要: This study was designed to: (1) evaluate the ecological status of acid-sensitive and non Maryland coastal plain streams using biological (Index biotic Integrity [IBI] for fish), chemical physical habitat conditions; (2) determine if a low IBI stream fish can be related to sensitivity from acidic inputs (3) correlate land use activities watershed size in with biological, conditions. values obtained 12 community metrics demonstrated that there were no significant differences these when non-acid-sensitive compared. However, other complementary data such as absence species, blacknose dace higher numbers biomass tolerant species suggested may impacted. also found negatively correlated various trace metals but not areas. Chemical conditions nutrients associated activities. Highest concentrations (chromium, nickel, cadmium) highest percentage residential housing. Nitrate significantly agricultural areas than forested Agriculturally dominated nitrate (> 10 mg l-1) contained livestock feeding operations. The mean score draining value all several only marginally (< 50%) removed analysis, scores did differ by use. Two indices exhibited strong each other. Each index values.