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Land Use Effects on Aquatic Ecosystems

Landuse has a dominant influence on aquatic ecosystems due to its influence on the hydrologic cycle, water quality, stream habitat, aquatic species, and ultimately the overall function of the aquatic ecosystem. The USGS WSC is involved in the monitoring and research of landuse and how landuse activities influence aquatic ecosystems. This includes the influence of forest, urbanization, and agricultural systems. Much of this work is focused on determining the interactions of physical or chemical stressors and how they influence aquatic ecosystems. The influence of landuse on aquatic ecosystems can be done through assessing changes in species composition, fish heath, bioaccumulation of contaminants, alterations of habitat, excessive production of nuisance aquatic plants, or alterations in the ability of an aquatic ecosystem to function normally.

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Water Resources Inventory Area 1

Water Resources Inventory Area 1 Watershed Management

In recent years, increased use of ground- and surface-water supplies in watersheds of Washington State has created concern that insufficient in-stream flows remain for fish and other users. In response, the Washington State legislature passed the Watershed Management Act of 1998 (ESHB 2514; see also Ch.90.82 RCW - Watershed Planning), which encourages and provides some funding for local watershed...
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Washington Water Science Center
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Water Resources Inventory Area 1 Watershed Management

In recent years, increased use of ground- and surface-water supplies in watersheds of Washington State has created concern that insufficient in-stream flows remain for fish and other users. In response, the Washington State legislature passed the Watershed Management Act of 1998 (ESHB 2514; see also Ch.90.82 RCW - Watershed Planning), which encourages and provides some funding for local watershed...
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Cedar River Watershed

Cedar River Watershed

The Cedar River watershed provides two-thirds of the water supply for the greater Seattle metropolitan region, in addition to being home to numerous terrestrial and aquatic organisms such as salmon, some of which are Federally listed as threatened species. The City of Seattle is establishing monitoring plans for the Cedar River watershed to effectively manage the resource. A critical component of...
By
Washington Water Science Center
link

Cedar River Watershed

The Cedar River watershed provides two-thirds of the water supply for the greater Seattle metropolitan region, in addition to being home to numerous terrestrial and aquatic organisms such as salmon, some of which are Federally listed as threatened species. The City of Seattle is establishing monitoring plans for the Cedar River watershed to effectively manage the resource. A critical component of...
Learn More