bioassessment: the use of ecological assemblages, primarily fish, macroinvertebrates, and algae, as indicators of anthropogenic impairment in aquatic systems.
Authors provide an introduction to the process of developing assemblage-level
indices that provide quantitative estimates of the ecological integrity of freshwater
ecosystems and discuss recent developments that have improved the effectiveness
of bioassessment strategies. Authors conclude that developments, such as advanced
predictive modeling techniques, coupled with emerging technologies and the development of large-scale bioassessment programs will continue to improve our
understanding of how aquatic assemblages are affected by anthropogenic impairment.
In “Microbial Source Tracking—Advances in Research and a Guide to Application,” Badgley and Hagedorn state that MST is a still-new and developing discipline that allows users to discriminate among the many potential sources of fecal
pollution in environmental waters. Authors further explain that the main area of
research in MST focuses on the identification of source-specific genetic markers
that can be used to detect contributions from different hosts such as humans,
livestock, and wildlife. Authors discuss the main drivers of MST and how these
have shaped the development of past and present methodological approaches, plus
current research initiatives such as community analysis that could usher in yet
another new and improved methodological basis for the entire field of MST.
Finally, a tiered system is presented as a recommended means to navigate the
multiple options for MST analyses that will assist the reader in how best to use
MST within the context of more traditional approaches. This chapter can serve as a
guide for decision-making on where, when, and how to deploy MST.
Chapters presented in this volume primarily focus on advanced methods of land
and water monitoring in aquatic ecosystems. Except for limited application in
“Interactive Geospatial Analysis Tool for Estimating Watershed-Scale Consumptive Use: Potomac River Basin Case Study,” this volume does not include watershed models, another avenue of important research relevant to watershed
assessment and management. However, spatial and temporal land- and watermonitoring technologies and analysis discussed in this volume will significantly
contribute to developing improved watershed models, model verification, and
applications.
We hope this volume serves as a textbook and reference material for graduate
students and researchers involved in watershed science and environmental studies.
Equally, we hope this volume serves as a valuable guide to experts in governmental
agencies who are concerned with water availability and water quality issues and
engineers and other professionals involved with the design of land- and watermonitoring systems.
Blacksburg, VA
Tamim Younos
Blacksburg, VA
Tammy E. Parece
Volume Preface
xvii
Authors provide an introduction to the process of developing assemblage-level
indices that provide quantitative estimates of the ecological integrity of freshwater
ecosystems and discuss recent developments that have improved the effectiveness
of bioassessment strategies. Authors conclude that developments, such as advanced
predictive modeling techniques, coupled with emerging technologies and the development of large-scale bioassessment programs will continue to improve our
understanding of how aquatic assemblages are affected by anthropogenic impairment.
In “Microbial Source Tracking—Advances in Research and a Guide to Application,” Badgley and Hagedorn state that MST is a still-new and developing discipline that allows users to discriminate among the many potential sources of fecal
pollution in environmental waters. Authors further explain that the main area of
research in MST focuses on the identification of source-specific genetic markers
that can be used to detect contributions from different hosts such as humans,
livestock, and wildlife. Authors discuss the main drivers of MST and how these
have shaped the development of past and present methodological approaches, plus
current research initiatives such as community analysis that could usher in yet
another new and improved methodological basis for the entire field of MST.
Finally, a tiered system is presented as a recommended means to navigate the
multiple options for MST analyses that will assist the reader in how best to use
MST within the context of more traditional approaches. This chapter can serve as a
guide for decision-making on where, when, and how to deploy MST.
Chapters presented in this volume primarily focus on advanced methods of land
and water monitoring in aquatic ecosystems. Except for limited application in
“Interactive Geospatial Analysis Tool for Estimating Watershed-Scale Consumptive Use: Potomac River Basin Case Study,” this volume does not include watershed models, another avenue of important research relevant to watershed
assessment and management. However, spatial and temporal land- and watermonitoring technologies and analysis discussed in this volume will significantly
contribute to developing improved watershed models, model verification, and
applications.
We hope this volume serves as a textbook and reference material for graduate
students and researchers involved in watershed science and environmental studies.
Equally, we hope this volume serves as a valuable guide to experts in governmental
agencies who are concerned with water availability and water quality issues and
engineers and other professionals involved with the design of land- and watermonitoring systems.
Blacksburg, VA
Tamim Younos
Blacksburg, VA
Tammy E. Parece
Volume Preface
xvii