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Bacteria as Indicators for Watershed Assessment and Fish Pathogen Relationships in Abernathy Creek

This project aims to develop techniques for using bacterial indicators to assess the health of the watershed and understand the relationship between bacteria, environmental factors, and fish pathogens in Abernathy Creek. The study includes identifying bacterial species of interest, assessing bacterial associations with invertebrates and fish, and analyzing the impact of environmental factors on bacterial presence. The results will contribute to watershed management and the conservation of fish populations.

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Bacteria as Indicators for Watershed Assessment and Fish Pathogen Relationships in Abernathy Creek

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  1. Role of Bacteria as Indicator Organisms for Watershed Assessment and in Determining Fish Pathogen Relationships with Fauna of Abernathy Creek Project: 35055 Richard Glenn USFWS Abernathy Fish Technology Center Longview, Washington

  2. Watershed Factors Foliage and Land Practices Environmental Elements Fish and Aquatic Populations

  3. Objective • Primary • develop techniques using bacterial indicators to assess watershed health

  4. Task 1 Identify bacterial species of interest

  5. Task 2 & 3 Identify bacterial species of interest + Bacterial associations with invertebrates and fish + -------------------------------------------------------

  6. Task 4 Identify bacterial species of interest + Bacterial associations with invertebrates and fish + Relationship between environmental factors, land use, and bacterial presence ---------------------------------------------------------------

  7. Turbidity pH Temperature Fluctuations Alkalinity Total Hardness Dissolved Oxygen Nitrate Levels Nitrite Levels Ammonia Levels Chloride Levels Phosphate Levels Carbon Dioxide Levels Environmental Factors

  8. Abernathy Watershed • 5 Upper Watershed • Extensive Logging Area Sample Sites • 5 Lower Watershed • Some Rural Housing Development

  9. Task 5 Identify bacterial species of interest + Bacterial associations with invertebrates and fish + Relationship between environmental factors and bacterial presence -------------------------------------------------------------- Assess the health of the watershed

  10. Logistic Regression to compare presence or absence of: Bacteria vs environmental factors and land use practices Principle Component Analysis to compare: Interbacterial relations Interbacterial relations vs invertebrate population Bacterial relations vs fish presence Statistical Methods

  11. Objectives • Primary • develop techniques using bacterial indicators to assess watershed health • Secondary • relate bacterial fish pathogens to changes in the bacterial fauna

  12. Regional Importance • Ecosystem Approach • National Estuary Program (NEP) • Clean Water Act compliance • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) • Assess bacterial components altered by development, pollution, and overuse • Endangered Species Act (ESA)

  13. Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives • Action 1: • Requires research, monitoring, and evaluation of hydro, habitat, hatcheries, and harvest resources. • Action 152: • Federal agencies to propose projects that will aid in water quality and biological monitoring information for subbasin and watershed assessments.

  14. Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives • Action 155: • Determine cause and effect relationships and identify research needs for improvement plans. • Action 198: • Is a USFWS project that will provide data for management of water quality and habitat use and restoration.

  15. Agencies that Benefit • Bonneville Power Administration • Aid in determining actual watershed problems • Monitor new and ongoing restoration projects for success and determining if restoration is adequate • Environmental Protection Agency • Aid in determining Clean Water Act compliance • Allow for descriptive methods for improvements • National Marine Fisheries Service • Ability to assess watershed strengths before and after replacing diminishing fish stocks • Provide a tool to access watersheds and ecosystems that are “At Risk” of true habitat loss

  16. Agencies that Benefit • Bureau of Reclamation • Providing a clearer picture of where fish stocks may be placed in creeks and rivers • How many placed fish are adequate and safe to the health of the watershed or ecosystem • U.S. Fish and Wildlife • Provide tools for accessing success of restoration projects • Which watersheds can support endangered fish stocks and the steps needed to actual restoration of endangered fish populations • Other agencies interested in aquatic habitats, watershed analysis, and fishery resources

  17. Healthy Watersheds = Healthy Fish

  18. Role of Bacteria as Indicator Organisms for Watershed Assessment and Fish Pathogen Relationships with Fauna of Abernathy Creek

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