What Degraded this Stream?

Tools 0© determine [Co® causes ©f ecological Impairment

Susan Cormier, Bhagya Subramanian, Brad Autrey (NERL), Glenn Suter II, Susan Norton, Leela Rao, Patricia Shaw Allen (NCEA)

Significance:

A set of methods, tools, case studies, software
systems and guidance will make it easier for EPA
Regions, states and tribes to determine the causes
of biological impairment enabling us to effectively
protect and restore streams and rivers.

Year of
Thir ty	Years

Through	Pa

2005

2006

2007

2008

3
§

2009

Updated Guidance on
Causal Analysis

2010

Training and Problem
Solving Workshop

&

Watershed Academy
Training Module

performed to illustrate
the application of the
stressor identification
guidance.

Case Study Long Creek

Brook Trout Abundance

(200 m study reaches)

Large River Case Study



Macroinvertebrate signals of stress were observed as well.

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Collection of
Case Studies

This research will put needed
data and associations at the
finger tips of resource
managers. Efforts are
focused on some of the most
pervasive causes of stream
impairment.

Causal Analysis
Tools for Metals

Is concentrations and A QUIRE

? SH*m|d|an

+ Aluminum
+ Chromium

10 100 1000 10000

Causal Analysis
Tools for Temperature and Oxygen



S

CADDIS, Causal Analysis and
Diagnosis Decision Information
System, is being designed to
help investigators find, access,
organize and share
information useful for
determining the causes of
biological impairment

Causal Analysis Tools
Conceptual model

Web-enabled CADDIS

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