Operational Draft Regional Guidebook for the Functional Assessment of High-Gradient Headwater Streams and Low-Gradient Perennial Streams in Appalachia
Abstract
The HGM Approach is a method for developing functional indices and the protocols used to apply these indices to the assessment of ecosystem functions at a site-specific scale. This report uses the HGM Approach to develop a Regional Guidebook to: (a) characterize high-gradient (greater than four percent channel slope) ephemeral and intermittent streams, known collectively as headwater streams, and wadeable, shadeable perennial streams with less than four percent slope, known as perennial streams, in the Appalachian region; (b) provide the rationale used to select functions for the headwater and perennial stream subclasses; (c) provide the rationale used to select assessment variables at the stream, riparian/buffer zone and watershed levels;( d) provide the rationale used to develop assessment equations; (e) provide data from reference streams and document their use in calibrating variables and assessment equations; and (f) outline the necessary protocols for applying the functional indices to the assessment of stream functions. The rapid assessments provided in this guidebook utilize structural components of streams and their watershed and can be used in conjunction with assessment of water quality and biotic communities if desired.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1028136
Entities
People
- Chris V. Noble
- Elizabeth A. Summers
- Frank J. Spilker
- Jacob F. Berkowitz
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center