1 / 9

Leetown Science Center Research in the Shenandoah Valley

Leetown Science Center Research in the Shenandoah Valley. Presented to the Shenandoah Valley Natural Systems Symposium October 15, 2007. Administration Building, Leetown Science Center, Kearneysville, West Virginia. Leetown Science Center The Mission and The Vision.

ordell
Download Presentation

Leetown Science Center Research in the Shenandoah Valley

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Leetown Science Center Research in the Shenandoah Valley Presented to the Shenandoah Valley Natural Systems Symposium October 15, 2007 Administration Building, Leetown Science Center, Kearneysville, West Virginia

  2. Leetown Science CenterThe Mission and The Vision • Our Mission is to conduct research needed to restore, maintain, enhance, and protect aquatic and terrestrial organisms and their supporting ecosystems. • Our Vision: The Leetown Science Center is internationally known for our relevant and scientifically sound research. Natural Bridge, Cedar Creek, Virginia. Photographer: Matt Kozlowski

  3. Leetown Science CenterCurrent Research Goals The six thematic areas of research Leetown will pursue over the next five years are: Fish Health Molecular Biology Landscape Ecology Genetics and Genomics Ecological Flow Requirements Restoration of Populations and Habitats North Fork of the Shenandoah River USGS Photo

  4. Leetown Science CenterPartners In the Shenandoah Valley • National Park Service • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries • Virginia Department of Environmental Quality • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University • University of Virginia • West Virginia Water Science Center • West Virginia Department of Natural Resources • West Virginia University

  5. Leetown Science CenterRecent Shenandoah Valley Research • Assessment of vegetation communities in relation to ecological units within Shenandoah National Park • Biological significance of headwater streams and springs in Shenandoah National Park • Effects of stream water chemistry on mercury concentrations in brook trout in Shenandoah National Park • Fish/Mercury Survey at Shenandoah National Park • A pilot study of fish health issues at the landscape scale in the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River Dark Shadow Falls, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Photographer: Patrick Holleran, Shannon Technologies

  6. Leetown Science CenterCurrent Shenandoah Valley Research • Effects of estrogen and related contaminants on the expression of genes involved in the innate immune system of fish in the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers • Ecology of periphyton on the North Fork, Shenandoah River Investigation of Point and Non-point Bacterial Contamination in West Virginia and Virginia Waters by Rapid Molecular Methods Identifying the fundamental unit of management of the Madison Cave isopod, Antrolana lira Migration of silver-phase American eels in relation to hydroelectric dams on the Shenandoah River, VA Passage Creek, Virginia Photographer: Cliff Hupp, USGS

  7. Leetown Science CenterData Gaps and Research Needs • Develop a systematic and well coordinated approach between federal, state, and local agencies in sampling fish to better understand status and trends in fish populations throughout the Shenandoah River system. This will establish a baseline so we can evaluate the impact of future changes in response to environmental change. • Need to identify localized ground water inflows to the Shenandoah River so we can better understand their impact on spatial and temporal patterns of riverine habitat use by aquatic biota due to such factors as water temperature and water quality effects. • Develop a better understanding of the impact point and non-point sources of contamination to the Shenandoah River and its tributaries on aquatic organisms and habitat.

  8. Leetown Science CenterData Gaps and Research Needs • Develop a landscape ecology model that identifies the spatial and temporal distribution of aquatic species and habitats in the Shenandoah River and its tributaries. Provide this model to resource managers to better evaluate the impact of various resource management actions from the local to the regional scale. Develop landscape scale capabilities to assess aquatic animal health and disease at the population level. Use this information to develop methods to better protect and restore population health by reducing, eliminating, and eradicating diseases. Develop adaptive management strategies that address aquatic animal health. Glenn Falls, North River, Virginia. Photographer: D.L. Ennis Visual Thoughts (http://dlennis.wordpress.com/)

  9. In Summary, The Leetown Science Center is • An active and productive partner conducting aquatic biology research in the Shenandoah Valley. • Ready to participate and contribute to finding solutions to restore, enhance, and protect aquatic organisms, their habitats, and ecological relationships to sustain a balanced ecosystem in the Shenandoah Valley. • Poised to collaborate in the development of a Landscape/Riverscape Ecology model useful to resource managers throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

More Related