Journal of the North American Benthological Society

Published by: The Society for Freshwater Science

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Journal of the North American Benthological Society 28(4):1051-1069. 2009
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1899/08-153.1

Urban streams across the USA: lessons learned from studies in 9 metropolitan areas

Larry R. Brown5a, Thomas F. Cuffney6b, James F. Coles7c, Faith Fitzpatrick8d, Gerard McMahon9b, Jeffrey Steuer10d, Amanda H. Bell11d, and Jason T. May12a

aUS Geological Survey, Placer Hall, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, California 95819 USA

bUS Geological Survey, 3916 Sunset Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 USA

cUS Geological Survey, 331 Commerce Way, Pembroke, New Hampshire 03275 USA

dUS Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562 USA

Abstract

Studies of the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems have usually focused on single metropolitan areas. Synthesis of the results of such studies have been useful in developing general conceptual models of the effects of urbanization, but the strength of such generalizations is enhanced by applying consistent study designs and methods to multiple metropolitan areas across large geographic scales. We summarized the results from studies of the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems in 9 metropolitan areas across the US (Boston, Massachusetts; Raleigh, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; Milwaukee-Green Bay, Wisconsin; Denver, Colorado; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Portland, Oregon). These studies were conducted as part of the US Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program and were based on a common study design and used standard sample-collection and processing methods to facilitate comparisons among study areas. All studies included evaluations of hydrology, physical habitat, water quality, and biota (algae, macroinvertebrates, fish). Four major conclusions emerged from the studies. First, responses of hydrologic, physical-habitat, water-quality, and biotic variables to urbanization varied among metropolitan areas, except that insecticide inputs consistently increased with urbanization. Second, prior land use, primarily forest and agriculture, appeared to be the most important determinant of the response of biota to urbanization in the areas we studied. Third, little evidence was found for resistance to the effects of urbanization by macroinvertebrate assemblages, even at low levels of urbanization. Fourth, benthic macroinvertebrates have important advantages for assessing the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems relative to algae and fishes. Overall, our results demonstrate regional differences in the effects of urbanization on stream biota and suggest additional studies to elucidate the causes of these underlying differences.

Received: October 29, 2008; Accepted: August 17, 2009

Keywords: urbanization, urban intensity, algae, diatoms, macroinvertebrates, fishes



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Figure 1. US metropolitan areas studied. Shaded areas contain the watersheds surveyed in each study.

Figure 2. Comparison of the nationally scaled urban intensity index (NUII) across 9 metropolitan areas and NUII scores standardized to 0 to 100 scale in each metropolitan area (MA-NUII). Metropolitan areas are ordered from east (BOS) to west (POR). See Table 1 for abbreviations.

Figure 3. Land use/land cover in nonurban watersheds (metropolitan area urban intensity index [MA-NUII] ≤ 10) in the 9 metropolitan areas. Numbers above columns indicate number of watersheds with MA-NUII ≤ 10. Land cover in SLC included a large percentage of shrubland. Percentages do not add up to 100% because minor land covers are not shown (e.g., wetlands, barren land). See Table 1 for abbreviations.

Figure 4. Plots of site scores from axis 1 of nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis of algal species composition vs metropolitan area urban intensity index (MA-NUII) for metropolitan areas in which the correlation was moderate (0.50 ≤ |rs| < 0.70) or strong (|rs| ≥ 0.70). See Table 1 for abbreviations.

Figure 5. Plots of site scores from axes 1 and 2 of nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis of fish species composition vs metropolitan area urban intensity index (MA-NUII) for metropolitan areas in which the correlation was moderate (0.50 ≤ |rs| < 0.70) or strong (|rs| ≥ 0.70). See Table 1 for abbreviations.

Figure 6. Plots of site scores from axis 1 of nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis of macroinvertebrate species composition (qualitative multihabitat sample) vs metropolitan area urban intensity index (MA-NUII) for 9 metropolitan areas. See Table 1 for abbreviations.

table

Table 1. Minimum and maximum values for selected watershed characteristics, 2000 population density, mean annual precipitation (1980–1997), and level III ecoregion (Omernik 1987) for 9 metropolitan study areas in the US.

table

Table 2. Spearman rank correlations of metropolitan area urban intensity index (MA-NUII) with selected hydrologic characteristics for 9 metropolitan areas in the US (see Table 1 for abbreviations). Moderate correlations (0.50 ≤ |rs| < 0.70) are italicized and strong correlations (|rs| ≥ 0.70) are bolded. All such correlations are statistically significant (p < 0.05).

table

Table 3. Spearman rank correlations of metropolitan area urban intensity index (MA-NUII) with selected habitat characteristics for 9 metropolitan areas in the US (see Table 1 for abbreviations). Moderate correlations (0.50 ≤ |rs| < 0.70) are italicized and strong correlations (|rs| ≥ 0.70) are bolded. All such correlations are statistically significant (p < 0.05).

table

Table 4. Spearman rank correlations of metropolitan area urban intensity index (MA-NUII) with selected water-quality characteristics for 9 metropolitan areas in the US (see Table 1 for abbreviations). Moderate correlations (0.50 ≤ |rs| < 0.70) are italicized and strong correlations (|rs| ≥ 0.70) are bolded. All such correlations are statistically significant (p < 0.05). NC  =  not calculated.

table

Table 5. Spearman rank correlations of metropolitan area urban intensity index (MA-NUII) with toxicity indices, total number of compounds, and concentrations of compounds obtained from semipermeable membrane devices for 6 metropolitan areas in the US (see Table 1 for abbreviations). Moderate correlations (0.50 ≤ |rs| < 0.70) are italicized and strong correlations (|rs| ≥ 0.70) are bolded. All such correlations are statistically significant (p < 0.05). Correlations were not calculated (NC) for compounds detected at <25% of sites within a metropolitan area or nationally (Bryant et al. 2007). PAH  =  polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, AhR  =  aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

table

Table 6. Spearman rank correlations of metropolitan area urban intensity index (MA-NUII) with the first 2 axes of nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordinations (NMDS) of algal, benthic macroinvertebrate (richest targeted habitat [RTH] and qualitative multihabitat [QMH] samples), and fish assemblage species composition for 9 metropolitan areas in the US (see Table 1 for abbreviations). Three algal metrics (Coles et al. 2009) also were analyzed. Moderate correlations (0.50 ≤ |rs| < 0.70) are italicized and strong correlations (|rs| ≥ 0.70) are bolded. All such correlations are statistically significant (p < 0.05).

table

Table 7. Results from linear regressions of nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) axis 1 scores from richest targeted habitat (RTH) and qualitative multihabitat (QMH) samples against urbanization as characterized by the metropolitan area urban intensity index (MA-NUII) for 9 metropolitan areas in the US (see Table 1 for abbreviations).

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Cited by

Jonathan G. Kennen, Daniel J. Sullivan, Jason T. May, Amanda H. Bell, Karen M. Beaulieu, Donald E. Rice. (2012) Temporal changes in aquatic-invertebrate and fish assemblages in streams of the north-central and northeastern US. Ecological Indicators 18, 312-329
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Song S. Qian, Thomas F. Cuffney. (2012) To threshold or not to threshold? That's the question. Ecological Indicators 15:1, 1-9
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R Thompson, S Parkinson. (2011) Assessing the local effects of riparian restoration on urban streams. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research1-12
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Thomas F. Cuffneya,, Roxolana Kashubab,, Song S. Qianb,, Ibrahim Alameddineb,, Yoon Kyung Chab,, Boknam Leeb,, James F. Colesc,, and Gerard McMahond,. (2011) Multilevel regression models describing regional patterns of invertebrate and algal responses to urbanization across the USA. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 30:3, 797-819
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Lucy Shuker, Angela M. Gurnell, Mike Raco. (2011) Some simple tools for communicating the biophysical condition of urban rivers to support decision making in relation to river restoration. Urban Ecosystems
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Scott A. Stranko, Robert H. Hilderbrand, Margaret A. Palmer. (2011) Comparing the Fish and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity of Restored Urban Streams to Reference Streams. Restoration Ecologyno-no
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Robert A. Leidy, Kristina Cervantes-Yoshida, Stephanie M. Carlson. (2011) Persistence of native fishes in small streams of the urbanized San Francisco Estuary, California: acknowledging the role of urban streams in native fish conservation. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 21:5, 472-483
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Wing Y. Tsoi, Wade L. Hadwen, and Christine S. Fellows. (2011) Spatial and temporal variation in the ecological stoichiometry of aquatic organisms in an urban catchment. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 30:2, 533-545
Online publication date: 1-Jun-2011.

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Cassie J. Herringshawa,, Timothy W. Stewarta,2, Janette R. Thompsona, and Paul F. Andersonb. (2011) Land Use, Stream Habitat and Benthic Invertebrate Assemblages in a Highly Altered Iowa Watershed. The American Midland Naturalist 165:2, 274-293
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Ryan M. Utz and Robert H. Hilderbrand. (2011) Interregional variation in urbanization-induced geomorphic change and macroinvertebrate habitat colonization in headwater streams. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 30:1, 25-37
Online publication date: 1-Mar-2011.

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Robert M. Hughesa, Philip R. Kaufmannb, and Marc H. Weberb. (2011) National and regional comparisons between Strahler order and stream size. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 30:1, 103-121
Online publication date: 1-Mar-2011.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (1931 KB) : Supplementary Materials : Rights & Permissions 

Ryan Utz, Keith Eshleman, Robert Hilderbrand. (2011) Variation in hydrologic, chemical and thermal responses to urbanization in streams between two physiographic regions of the Mid-Atlantic United States. Ecological Applications110220084802040
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Ryan King, Matthew Baker, Paul Kazyak, Donald Weller. (2011) How novel is too novel? Stream community thresholds at exceptionally low levels of catchment urbanization. Ecological Applications110220084802040
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Ryan King, Matthew Baker. (2011) An alternative view of ecological community thresholds and appropriate analyses for their detection. Comment. Ecological Applications110220084802040
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P. Sály, P. Takács, I. Kiss, P. Bíró, T. Erős. (2011) The relative influence of spatial context and catchment- and site-scale environmental factors on stream fish assemblages in a human-modified landscape. Ecology of Freshwater Fishno-no
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Kevin J. Collier, Bryan L. Clements. (2010) Influences of catchment and corridor imperviousness on urban stream macroinvertebrate communities at multiple spatial scales. Hydrobiologia
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S. Mark Nelson. (2010) Response of stream macroinvertebrate assemblages to erosion control structures in a wastewater dominated urban stream in the southwestern U.S.. Hydrobiologia
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Karen Riva-Murray, Rachel Riemann, Peter Murdoch, Jeffrey M. Fischer, Robin Brightbill. (2010) Landscape characteristics affecting streams in urbanizing regions of the Delaware River Basin (New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, U.S.). Landscape Ecology 25:10, 1489-1503
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Alan D. Steinman, Mary E. Ogdahl, Carl R. Ruetz. (2010) An environmental assessment of a small shallow lake (Little Black Lake, MI) threatened by urbanization. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
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Brian S. Helmsa, Jon E. Schoonoverb, and Jack W. Feminellac. (2009) Seasonal variability of landuse impacts on macroinvertebrate assemblages in streams of western Georgia, USA. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 28:4, 991-1006
Online publication date: 1-Dec-2009.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (583 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

Seth J. Wengera, Allison H. Royb, C. Rhett Jacksonc, Emily S. Bernhardtd, Timothy L. Cartera, Solange Filosoe, Catherine A. Gibsonf, W. Cully Hessiong, Sujay S. Kaushale, Eugenia Martíh, Judy L. Meyeri, Margaret A. Palmere, Michael J. Paulj, Alison H. Purcellk, Alonso Ramírezl, Amy D. Rosemondm, Kate A. Schofieldn, Elizabeth B. Suddutho, and Christopher J. Walshp. (2009) Twenty-six key research questions in urban stream ecology: an assessment of the state of the science. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 28:4, 1080-1098
Online publication date: 1-Dec-2009.

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Mindy L. Robertsa and Robert E. Bilbyb. (2009) Urbanization alters litterfall rates and nutrient inputs to small Puget Lowland streams. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 28:4, 941-954
Online publication date: 1-Dec-2009.

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Allison H. Roya, Alison H. Purcellb, Christopher J. Walshc, and Seth J. Wengerd. (2009) Urbanization and stream ecology: five years later. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 28:4, 908-910
Online publication date: 1-Dec-2009.

Citation : Full Text : PDF (99 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

Timothy Cartera, C. Rhett Jacksonb, Amy Rosemondc, Cathy Pringlec, David Radcliffed, William Tollnere, John Maerzb, David Leighf, and Amy Tricec. (2009) Beyond the urban gradient: barriers and opportunities for timely studies of urbanization effects on aquatic ecosystems. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 28:4, 1038-1050
Online publication date: 1-Dec-2009.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (309 KB) : Rights & Permissions 



 

Print ISSN: 0887-3593

Online ISSN: 1937-237X

Current: Mar 2012 : Volume 31 Issue 1

BioOne Member Since: 2004

Frequency: Quarterly

Previously titled: Journal of the North American Benthological Society

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