The effects of land-use characteristics and acid sensitivity on the ecological status of Maryland coastal plain streams

摘要: A 2-year study was conducted to evaluate the ecological status of 12 acid-sensitive and non-acid-sensitive Maryland coastal plain streams during spring, summer, fall 1992 1993. An index biotic integrity (IBI) for fish, chemical parameters, physical habitat conditions were evaluated in these streams. Correlations land-use activities (forested vs agricultural dominated streams) watershed size identified with biological, chemical, conditions. These data also used determine if a poor IBI stream fish can be related sensitivity from acidic inputs. Physical more important than water quality determining values period. Acid influencing but influence acid overshadowed by habitat. When variation accounted among sites, nonacid-sensitive higher Initial results demonstrated that when compared forested Consideration only two dominant types caused oversimplification because urban land use (often associated negative effects) positively correlated forestedmore » negatively streams.« less