Contact: Jeff Simmons, Mount St. Mary’s University: simmons@msmary.edu
Initiated: 2010
Project Status: Completed. Not currently accepting participants.
Description
Read the Project Overview and review the RBAST Project Overview PowerPoint (June 2012)
Hypotheses/Objectives: The primary objective of this project was to quantify the extent and nature of change in stream temperature regime caused by the presence of vegetated riparian zones (with respect to streams with no riparian vegetation). Secondary objectives were to 1) identify the components of the energy budget that have the greatest influence on stream temperature over a wide geographic range, 2) determine the best methods for managing stream temperatures, 3) examine the implications of harmful temperature regimes on biota, and 4) establish a dataset of baseline stream temperatures at each of the study sites.
Summary of Methods: This experiment used a paired design to compare a Forested stream reach (full canopy cover, 80 – 200 m in length) with a nearby or adjacent Open stream reach (80 – 200 m in length) with no tree or shrub canopy cover at several different sites around the U.S., with replication among sites. The main dependent variable was the mean change in temperature (∆T) over the length of the reach. By using the ∆T we avoided the problem of climate differences among sites, and by using short reaches with few inputs we minimized the effects of land-use at the large scale. Other dependent variables (calculated from the raw temperature data at each location) include daily mean temperature, daily maximum temperature, daily minimum temperature, mean daily range in temperature, degree days per year, and mean net heat load per meter.
Expanded project info: Access the RBAST research protocols below.
- Protocols for Researchers (Phase I – May 2011)
- Protocols for Researchers (Phase II – updated September 2011)
- Stream Temperature Datasets from Phase I
Curriculum: To incorporate this project’s research protocols and instructional materials into your college classes or as part of an internships or independent research experience, review the Phase I and Phase II RBAST Protocols (linked above), as well as the Stream Temperature Curricular Materials.
Other Project Materials: Click to view a Map of Participating Institutions
Publications will be linked here when available.