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Stoffels RJ, Booker DJ, Franklin PA, Snelder TH, Clapcott JE, Fragaszy SR, Wagenhoff A, Hickey CW. Estimation of policy-relevant reference conditions throughout national river networks. MethodsX 2021; 8:101522. [PMID: 34754793 PMCID: PMC8563678 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2021.101522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A method for objectively estimating reference states for suspended fine sediment (turbidity) is presented. To be fit for water policy development and implementation the method had to satisfy four requirements: (1) the method must not be dependent on data from minimally-disturbed reference sites; (2) the method must facilitate characterization of reference states throughout heterogeneous river networks, given patchy data; (3) the classification of reference states must be relevant and legitimate to end-users; (4) the method should provide several classifications of reference states at different spatial resolutions allowing selection of the resolution yielding the most parsimonious classification of reference states throughout the network. Implementing the method involves two stages: (1) Development of a river classification based on sediment supply and retention regimes (defining ‘turbidity classes’) at multiple spatial resolutions. (2) At each resolution, for each turbidity class, estimation of a reference state based on relationships between turbidity and anthropogenic stressors, then objective selection of the resolution yielding the most parsimonious classification of reference states throughout the network. Implementing the method requires a river network GIS and turbidity data within classes, preferably from monitoring sites spanning the domains of the anthropogenic stressor variables used for model-based estimation of reference states.A method is presented for estimating reference states for suspended fine sediment (turbidity) throughout spatially heterogeneous river networks. Development of the method was guided by the requirements of policy analysts during reform of water policy in New Zealand. The method presented was used to develop fine sediment regulatory thresholds of national water policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick J Stoffels
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Doug J Booker
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Paul A Franklin
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | | | - Chris W Hickey
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand
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Fryirs K, Hancock F, Healey M, Mould S, Dobbs L, Riches M, Raine A, Brierley G. Things we can do now that we could not do before: Developing and using a cross-scalar, state-wide database to support geomorphologically-informed river management. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244719. [PMID: 33481832 PMCID: PMC7822514 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A fundamental premise of river management is that practitioners understand the resource they are working with. In river management this requires that baseline information is available on the structure, function, health and trajectory of rivers. Such information provides the basis to contextualise, to plan, to be proactive, to prioritise, to set visions, to set goals and to undertake objective, pragmatic, transparent and evidence-based decision making. In this paper we present the State-wide NSW River Styles database, the largest and most comprehensive dataset of geomorphic river type, condition and recovery potential available in Australia. The database is an Open Access product covering over 216,600 km of stream length in an area of 802,000 km2. The availability of the database presents unprecedented opportunities to systematically consider river management issues at local, catchment, regional and state-wide scales, and appropriately contextualise applications in relation to programs at other scales (e.g. internationally)-something that cannot be achieved independent from, or without, such a database. We present summary findings from the database and demonstrate through use of examples how the database has been used in geomorphologically-informed river management. We also provide a cautionary note on the limitations of the database and expert advice on lessons learnt during its development to aid others who are undertaking similar analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstie Fryirs
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Fergus Hancock
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Water Division, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Healey
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Water Division, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon Mould
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Water Division, NSW, Australia
| | - Lucy Dobbs
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Water Division, NSW, Australia
| | - Marcus Riches
- Coastal Systems Unit, NSW Department Primary Industries–Fisheries, NSW, Australia
| | - Allan Raine
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Water Division, NSW, Australia
| | - Gary Brierley
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- School of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Troia MJ, McManamay RA. Biogeographic classification of streams using fish community– and trait–environment relationships. DIVERS DISTRIB 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Troia
- Department of Environmental Science and Ecology The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio Texas
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A stream classification system for the conterminous United States. Sci Data 2019; 6:190017. [PMID: 30747915 PMCID: PMC6371895 DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2019.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stream classifications are important for understanding stream ecosystem diversity while also serving as tools for aquatic conservation and management. With current rates of land and riverscape modification within the United States (US), a comprehensive inventory and evaluation of naturally occurring stream habitats is needed, as this provides a physical template upon which stream biodiversity is organized and maintained. To adequately represent the heterogeneity of stream ecosystems, such a classification needs to be spatially extensive where multiple stream habitat components are represented at the highest resolution possible. Herein, we present a multi-layered empirically-driven stream classification system for the conterminous US, constructed from over 2.6 million stream reaches within the NHDPlus V2 stream network. The classification is based on emergent natural variation in six habitat layers meaningful at the stream-reach resolution: size, gradient, hydrology, temperature, network bifurcation, and valley confinement. To support flexibility of use, we provide multiple alternative approaches to developing classes and report uncertainty in classes assigned to stream reaches. The stream classification and underlying data provide valuable resources for stream conservation and research.
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