1) The EPA Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program collected data on water chemistry, habitat, algae, macroinvertebrates, and vertebrates from streams in 12 western US states to assess ecological conditions. 2) The study used a random subset of the EMAP data to determine if algal biomass could indicate stream condition. Statistical analyses found relationships between higher algal levels and less canopy cover, more developed land uses, higher nutrient levels, and higher stream order. 3) The results suggest algae can act as a biological indicator of stream health and potential stressors like lack of shade, agriculture, and nutrients.

1. Analyzing Stream ConditionAnalyzing Stream Condition
Using EMAP Algae DataUsing EMAP Algae Data
By Nick Paretti
ARIZONA PHYCOLOGY
ECOL 475

2. U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Monitoring and AssessmentEnvironmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program (EMAP)Program (EMAP)
The EMAP Western Pilot Study requires a representative
sample of biotic assemblages along with physical and
chemical measures across 12 western states
The sampling consists of the five following components:
water chemistry, physical habitat, periphyton
assemblage, benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage,
and aquatic vertebrate assemblage.
The data will be used to generate state and regional
scale assessments of the condition of ecological
resources in the western United States, and to identify
stressors associated with the degradation of these
resources.

3. Questions to AnswerQuestions to Answer
EPA
What proportion of stream and river miles in the western U.S.
are in acceptable (or poor) biological condition?
What is the relative importance of potential stressors (habitat
modification, sedimentation, nutrients, temperature, grazing,
timber harvest, etc.) in streams and rivers across the West?
This project
Use a random subset of data (n=168)
Statistical analyses Oneway ANOVA and simple regression
Determine if algae can be used as an indicator of stream
condition

4. CladophoraCladophora
Chlorophyte (Green
Algae)
Chlorophylls a and b
Xanthans and
Carotenoids
Filamentous
Habitat for
Macroinvertebrate
Fish cover for young
Food source

5. MicrocystisMicrocystis
Cyanobacteria (blue-
green algae)
Unicellular clusters
Nitrogen fixation
Chlorophyll a and
phycobilins
Indicator of eutrophication
Lacking a membrane-
bounded nucleus
Wide range of
temperatures

6. EMAP ProtocolEMAP Protocol
Randomly selected Site
Reach 40 X channel width
11 transects
Canopy cover
Densiometer
Six measurements are obtained at
each cross-section transect
 Measurements in four directions at
mid-channel and one at each bank
Water body character
Assign a rating of 1 (highly disturbed)
to 5 (pristine) based on your
 5. Beautiful, could not be any nicer.
 4. Very minor aesthetic problems;
excellent for swimming, boating,
enjoyment.
 3. Enjoyment impaired.
 2. Level of enjoyment substantially
reduced.
 1. Enjoyment nearly impossible.

7. Canopy CoverCanopy Cover
Riparian canopy cover
Stream temperatures
Shading / Light penetration
Inputs of coarse and fine particulate
organic material
Organic inputs are food for stream
organisms

8. Relation of CanopyRelation of Canopy
Negative Relationship
Less light
Less photosynthesis
Less primary
productivity
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
PercentAlgae
0 .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 1
Canopy Cover
R-square .04 F-ratio <.0001
N=168

9. Dominant Land UseDominant Land Use
Algal biomass as an indicator
of nutrient enrichment
Problems related to excessive
nutrient enrichment
Eutrophication
Algal blooms
Depletion of Oxygen
Suburban/ town
Human activities, fertilizer
application, burning of fossil
fuels
Range
Animal Waste
Agriculture
Eutrophic
Fertilizers
Forested streams
Oligotrophic
Leaf litter

10. PercentAlgae
-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dominant Land use
PercentAlgae
-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
PercentAlgae
-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dominant Land use
Dominant Land UseDominant Land Use
Oneway ANOVA
Analyzing percent algae
The Forest dominated stream is statistically different than Range
and Suburban/town
Statistically level 5 of Pristine is different than level 1
Trends
PercentAlgae
-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
1 2 3 4 5
Pristine
Each Pair
Student's t
0.05
PercentAlgae
-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
PercentAlgae
-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
1 2 3 4 5
Pristine
Each Pair
Student's t
0.05
Prob > F 0.0024
Prob > F 0.0686

11. NutrientsNutrients
Water Chemistry
Inconclusive evidence
comparing percent algae to
Nutrient concentrations
Selected chemicals
NO3, DOC, DIC, NH4, total
phosphorus, total nitrogen
(dissolved inorganic and organic
nitrogen and articulate organic
and inorganic nitrogen, minus N2
gas)
The forest dominated stream is
statistically different than the
agriculture dominated stream

12. NutrientsNutrients
DOC
0
5
10
15
20
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dominant Land use
t
0.05
Dic
0
100
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dominant land use 0.05
Ptl
-2000
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dlanduse
No3
0
100
200
300
400
500
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dlanduse

13. Stream OrderStream Order
Increased Velocity
Increased Volume
Increased Inputs
Organic Matter
Human Influences
Fertilizers
Nutrient Load
More Algae
Blooms
Analyzing percent algae
A first order stream is
statistically different than a
seventh order stream
Trends

14. Stream OrderStream Order
PercentAlgae
-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
1 2 3 4 5 7
Stream Order
Prob > F 0.0119

15. ConclusionsConclusions
Algae as a biological indicator
Identify algae
Identify stressors associated with the
degradation of stream habitat
Canopy Cover
Dominant Land use
Aesthetic appeal
Nutrients
Stream Order
Interpret the data and apply it to
vertebrate communities and
restoration
Produce unbiased estimates of the
ecological condition of surface waters
across a large geographic area (or
areas) of the West