DAY 2 AGENDA: APRIL 5, 2018 - Workshops 1. Identification and Modern Taxonomy of Cyanobacteria Facilitator: Dr. Jeff Johansen (
johansen@jcu.edu) John Carroll University
The workshop will consist primarily of a Powerpoint presentation summarizing the modern taxonomy of important freshwater genera that commonly occur in the Mid-Atlantic region. After the presentation (2-2.5 hours), time will be provided for examination of specimens. Participants are encouraged to bring preserved or fresh material. Each participant will receive a notebook which will include the PowerPoint presentation, a list of important taxonomic references, and indicator status of the genera. Access to digital copies of important taxonomic references will be provided.
The facilitator will bring 10 microscopes, but participants are encouraged to bring their own microscopes if there are more than 10 participants. 2. Identification and Taxonomy of Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) Facilitator: Dr. Steve Burian (
burians1@southernct.edu) Southeastern Connecticut University
The workshop will have 3 parts. Part 1 will be an update on taxonomic changes concerning the Ephemeroptera of North America. Updates to keys to genera of nymphs and adults that will appear in the upcoming 5th edition of An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America will be summarized. Part 2 will address a few of the longstanding taxonomic difficulties at the generic-level that occur in the Baetidae, Heptageniidae, Ephemerellidae, and Leptophlebiidae. Other more specific problems may be addressed as time permits. Part 3 will be a hands-on opportunity for anyone who wants to examine some representative specimens of mayfly nymphs. Participants can select taxa from a self-study set of specimens and spend some time observing difficult taxonomic characters or just see some unusual taxa. The focus of the hands-on part is to help people improve their confidence and competence in identifying mayflies to families and genera.
3. Stream Salamander ID Facilitator: Matt Neff (
neffm@si.edu) Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, Department of Herpetology/ Virginia Herpetological Society
This workshop will commence with a short lecture on the general biology of salamanders. This will be followed by an introduction to the common salamanders families of the North/Central Appalachians with a focus on ones that utilize bodies of water such as streams and vernal pools (some woodland salamanders will be included as well). While some species of salamanders are easy to identify, members of some genera can be more challenging. The workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to learn some of the key differentiating features between some of the trickier species. In addition to examining the key characteristics for species identification in the field, this workshop will include a review of salamander ecology, distribution, natural history, and conservation issues. If weather allows, some live specimens will be provided to examine.
4. Sediment Assessment Methods Facilitator: Larry Willis (
Larry.Willis@deq.virginia.gov) Virginia DEQ
Sedimentation is one of the most common problems in streams across the U.S. This workshop discusses: 1. Methods of measuring sedimentation (subjective methods, pebble count, Relative Bed Stability, Riffle Stability) and other important phab parameters (such as slope and Width:Depth), 2. Interpretation of field observations, 3. Simple geomorphology theory, 4. Stream Channel Evolution, 5. Modern sediments versus legacy sediments, 6. Biological responses to sedimentation, 7. Ways to incorporate the PHAB into the TMDL process, 8. Bedded sediments, TSS and TDS. There will be a field component to the workshop where we can all learn from each other, so please come prepared to discuss and demonstrate your methods (waders and your favorite equipment). A variety of calculators will be made available to participants (EXCEL, SAS and R).
5. Water Quality Standards 101 by USEPA Facilitator: Mark Barath (
Barath.mark@epa.gov) EPA Region 3
Water Quality Standards (WQS) provides the foundation on which all water protection programs are based. This overview of material presented at the 4-day WQS Academy will cover the major aspects of how the Clean Water Act is implemented through regulations (three- or four-legged stool) under 40 CFR 131. Biological monitoring and assessment plays a critical role in the implementation of WQS in all states and tribes in partnership with the EPA and cannot be over emphasized. Learn about your role in this process.
6. Developing a 2008 Baseline for the CBP Stream Health Outcome Indicator Facilitator: Claire Buchanan (
cbuchan@icprb.org)
“Improve health and function of ten percent of stream miles above the 2008 baseline for the watershed” is a goal in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement. The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) selected the “Chessie BIBI,” a stream macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity, as its biological indicator of stream health. It will use the index to evaluate and report progress improving stream communities across the Chesapeake watershed. A 2008 baseline for the Chessie BIBI still needs to be established. This AMAAB workshop reviews the recent BIBI index refinement by ICPRB and why CBP selected the BIBI as its stream health indicator. It presents results illustrating BIBI responses to nutrient enrichment, flow alteration, and land use, and lays out the technical challenges that will be faced in developing a 2008 baseline. A second, smaller workshop to resolve these technical challenges will convene at Cacapon immediately following this 2018 AMAAB workshop.
7. Identifying old-growth forests that host benchmark stream conditions In landscapes where forests are considered the climax vegetative state, streams that drain relatively undisturbed forested watersheds typically generate high scores on various aquatic condition indices. Streams surrounded by old-growth forests exhibit benchmark conditions of in-stream and near-stream habitats, water chemistry, and aquatic biological metrics. In West Virginia, several state parks host long-term monitoring sites because their watersheds are both heavily forested and protected in perpetuity from logging and other major human disturbances. The latter condition nearly changed recently as legislation was introduced to allow commercial logging in the state’s park system. The legislation was beaten by public outcry, but an outgrowth of the legislative fight was a citizen-led initiative to identify old-growth forests extant in state parks. This initiative is leading to the identification of several small watersheds that likely support reference conditions with which to compare other, more degraded watersheds. This workshop will teach you how to locate and identify old-growth forests. A short indoor introduction will be followed by outdoor activities, so dress according to weather conditions.
