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Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
Assessing the effectiveness of a constructed Arctic stream using multiple biological attributes.
Nicholas E Jones1, Garry J Scrimgeour, William M Tonn
1River and Stream Ecology Lab, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Trent University, DNA Building 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 7B8. nicholas.jones@ontario.ca
Environmental Management
|October 8, 2008
Summary
Habitat compensation in Arctic streams is challenging. A constructed stream lacked vegetation and organic matter, showing lower biodiversity and slower processing rates than natural streams, indicating limited success in early years.
Area of Science:
- Restoration ecology
- Arctic stream ecosystems
- Habitat compensation
Background:
- Constructed stream habitat for fish was created in 1997 in the Canadian Arctic to mitigate diamond mine impacts.
- Objective assessment of habitat compensation effectiveness is crucial for restoration ecologists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the initial success of a constructed stream as habitat compensation.
- To compare biological attributes of the constructed stream with natural reference streams over three years.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of riparian vegetation, woody debris, organic matter, epilithon, macrophytes, bryophytes, and leaf litter processing.
- Assessment of macroinvertebrate species richness, densities, and assemblage structure.
Main Results:
- The constructed stream had sparse riparian vegetation, less woody debris and organic matter, and lower plant/algal coverage than reference streams.
- Leaf litter processing rates were slower, and macroinvertebrate richness and density were consistently lower in the constructed stream.
- While some macroinvertebrate assemblage convergence occurred by year 3, the constructed stream was not an effective surrogate for natural streams in the initial years.
Conclusions:
- The constructed stream showed limited success in emulating natural Arctic streams during its first three years.
- Focusing on physical structures alone was insufficient; incorporating organic matter and riparian vegetation is recommended for accelerated compensation.
- Longer timeframes and ecological considerations beyond physical structures are necessary for successful habitat compensation.
