science and policy research: urban streams
conceptual models of urban impacts on streams
Our goal is to develop consensus on the most important outstanding research questions on how urbanization impacts streams. As a step toward this, we are first seeking consensus on conceptual models that capture our current understanding of how urbanization impacts streams. We are proceeding in three steps:
- Create a broad-scale model that shows major pathways and can be used to describe broad-scale questions about urban impacts (e.g., are toxins a significant cause of urban stream degradation?)
- Create fine-scale submodels that show detailed pathways and can be used to illustrate mechanistic hypotheses of urban impacts (e.g., does physical abrasion result in rapid loss of leaves in urban streams?)
- Use insights gained in the creation of submodels to reevaluate the broad-scale model. This final step may happen at the Salt Lake City meeting.
Between September and November 2007, several models have been proposed:
Conceptual model from Walsh et al. 2005 as a general model.
EPA's CADDIS models as a basis for fine-scale models.
USGS' NAWQA Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems study-a draft 5-year plan that incorporates conceptual models. (Updated 1/17/2008)
Conceptual model proposed by Seth Wenger.
(See also notes on this model and comments on this model).
Revised conceptual model (1/29/2008)
If you wish to comment on any of the models, please join the listserv and post comments to the group; we will do our best to archive them here in a timely manner. Note that we are in the process of transitioning to a blog-type site that will permit direct posting of comments.
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