Environmental_Science_Sci_175

Loch Raven Watershed – Saving the Water and Habitats from Environmental Destruction and Degradation Laura Ricketts March 28, 2010 Environmental Science SCI 175 Tami McConnell It makes sense to care for a watershed and the habitats dependant on it before they are damaged or degraded but that is not always possible. Maintaining clean water, a clean environment, and a healthy habitat is not something environmental agencies and the government can do on their own. Each of us has our own responsibility to protect the supply of water, and the habitats that grow up around them. Are you doing your part' Healthy and stable habitats can be maintained for the wildlife, flora, and aquatic animals in a watershed and ultimately for the people themselves that access the water from the watershed. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, such a watershed provides water for Baltimore County and City as well as small parts of Western Harford County, and Southern York County. Parts of Pennsylvania also access water as well. Loch Raven Reservoir is one third part of a larger watershed that covers over 218 square miles, of which Loch Raven is a 1600 acre tract. Baltimore, a prosperous city, includes multiple communities, businesses, schools, industries, and a constant stream of construction. All contribute to water pollution run-off into the watershed. Growing concerns are the signs of degradation in the wildlife habitats surrounding Loch Raven Reservoir. Restoring habitats is a new idea in environmental history. Beginning early in the 1900s, in order to ensure its survival protective actions was accepted. The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 was a monumental point in history for the funding of wildlife research and habitat restoration. In 1973, the Endangered Species Act was ratified to provide protection for the wildlife and organizations that have significant responsibility in the acquisition, restoration and protection of habitats. All activity can have an impact on the environment, and our contact goes far beyond that of any other species. The impact from man’s interaction with the landscape and environment of the planet has been altered on a global scale. Degradation weakens the quality of life in the habitats so much that nothing can survive in that environment. When development in cities replaces trees, soil and plants, replacing them with concrete, steel and asphalt, water run-off occurs instead of gradually soaking into the soil. Temperature is increased because the pavements absorb more heat. Fragmenting habitats into small, isolated areas, they can no longer provide the needs of a species and it can die out. “Habitat loss and degradation is a factor in the decline of every category of species. The decline of nearly 40 percent of migrant bird populations is directly linked to habitat destruction. For amphibians, declining populations are linked to habitat destruction, introduction of exotic species, water pollution, and ozone depletion,” Ryan I. Hill stated in one of his textbooks. By repairing habitats, we can avoid threatening species with possible extinction. Agricultural runoff, sewage runoff, and other pollutants to the water can increase the chemical content of the water, called eutrophication. Eutrophication stimulates photosynthesis by increasing biomass. Where biomass is low, endangered plants grow more abundantly because there is enough for everyone. In the textbook Environmental Science, they are quoted as saying “Habitats are also damaged by sulfur (S) compounds, ground-level ozone (O3), heavy metals, and pesticides. Acid rain results from airborne sulfur and often destroys forest and woodland habitats many miles from the source of the pollution. Many aquatic habitats are affected by pesticides and other industrial chemicals that act as environmental estrogens, interfering with the reproductive capacities of birds and fish.” Because both the land and the water affect habitats, a protocol needs to be created that will focus on contacting communities surrounding the watersheds feeding into Loch Raven Reservoir and bringing their attention to the effect of pollution on habitats in and around Loch Raven Reservoir. By increasing community awareness of water pollution that causes the degradation of habitats in Loch Raven Reservoir, it is hoped that the watershed and habitats within are safe for many years. With this in mind, a schedule of activities has been created that will begin the steps needed to not only protect the watershed and habitats in Loch Raven Reservoir, but also protect it from further degradation and ensure clean drinking water. 1. Month one and two, research will be done to review reliable websites providing information on what has already been done concerning water pollution in watersheds and water sources around the country. Members will research articles and journals for information in preparing the protocol. Then documentation of forms of destruction that could affect habitats surrounding Loch Raven Reservoir will be developed. 2. Months three and four will necessitate contacting organizations for information concerning rebuilding and restoring habitats and create a workable protocol; organizations like Fish and Wildlife, the Forestry Service, and businesses and local colleges that work with the environment. To ensure that habitat restoration is done properly, thorough research of the ecological requirements for the species involved in habitat degradation will be done. Research done to determine infiltration of non-native species as well as documentation and photographing will also be done. 3. Months five and six, members will develop a presentation to show the effects of pollution on habitats, involving photographing and documenting signs of pollution, pollutants, and damages to the habitats in and around Loch Raven Reservoir. Using researched information and photographs documenting actual destruction, a PowerPoint presentation will be created. Statistics showing possible contaminants from local communities, sources of pollution in the water table, and results of pollution in Loch Raven Reservoir will be included. This will be to educate communities and businesses to the importance of altering habits and activities that cause or result in pollution from the community. When completed, a day and time to view the presentation will be set for the residents of the community and local business. 4. Months seven and eight, members will contact local groups, churches, schools, and other organizations for volunteers to help implement the protocol, starting with organizations that work on water pollution in the watershed. Flyers and bulletins will be posted at local stores, libraries, and other locations for volunteers and will explain the effects of water pollution on habitats surrounding Loch Raven Reservoir. Local online groups will be contacted to post on site for volunteers, people who can lead work groups, and others to help educate the members and volunteers. Brochures the work groups can hand out to the residents and businesses in the watershed area they are maintaining will be created. The original presentation will be available for accessing online or to be used at meetings with the community. 5. In months nine and ten, lead members will organize work groups from the volunteers. Using maps and graphs showing the watershed, groups will be chosen to maintain sections. This will involve keeping the area clean of debris, pollutants, and everything that might affect the watershed’s purification methods, and include contacting individual homes and businesses to educate them in the possible pollutants they could unknowingly be adding to the watershed. Groups will be selected to plan and graph what is needed to restore habitats surrounding the Loch Raven Reservoir. Further research will be done to determine the needs – both in habitat and food sources – of the wildlife around the Loch. 6. Beginning in months 11 and 12, work cleaning the watershed and around Loch Raven Reservoir will start. Notifications will be sent to residents describing what is being done and what they can do to help. Hands-on work will begin. Members will document problems, challenges, limitations, or implications of work done in Loch Raven Reservoir during the whole process. A task group will be created to deal with issues arising in the communities in relation to jobs, resources, and lifestyles and the effect either adversely or positively on the communities. 7. Documentation will be maintained of adverse effects the protocol might have within the communities and with volunteers. The task group will deal with problems arising among volunteers, group leaders, and residents as well as problems with businesses in the community. Difficulties arising from implementation of the protocol or supportive processes will be dealt with on an individual basis and handled by a task group as an ongoing process. Information will be collected, assessed, and made available to the communities, businesses, volunteers, and group leaders. Improvements showing decreased levels of pollution to Loch Raven Reservoir, its habitats, and its water condition will be included in the expectation that this will encourage the volunteers and communities to continue the process indefinitely. Understanding that conflict could arise from businesses, lack of interest from residents, issues that could produce dissention in the communities and with residents, volunteers, and group leaders, the task group will deal with each independently and speedily. In order to deal conflicts with local businesses materials showing the benefits for the community as well as government incentives for adhering to the protocol will be provided, as well as a plan of action to win over the cooperation of residents because of lack of interest or refusal. Benefits and incentives might be a consideration if feasible. The purpose of this protocol is to educate communities and businesses surrounding the watershed to sources of pollution and seeks to repair areas that have been subjected to destruction and the threat of extinction to the species of plants and animals in Loch Raven Reservoir. Through the management, protection, and reestablishment of clean water and a healthy environment, the goal is to demonstrate the benefits of diverse plant and wildlife in the Loch Raven Reservoir to the community. This presents difficulties and will require a substantial investment of time, money, and energy from protocol members and the residents throughout the watershed district. Understanding of habitat restoration’s importance to the health of the planet, its residents, and the continued availability of resources will be conveyed throughout this protocol. Determining the causes for erosion is the next step to restore habitats and the watershed. There can be a multitude of sources to review in determining the cause of erosion. An easy method is basically to retrace the path of the water flow. But then where did that water originate' Storm run-off' Large parking areas without proper drainage' Though erosion is a natural process, nature can deteriorate shorelines through heavy rains and increased run-off. By losing shoreline, there is an increase in the loss of habitats as well as added sediment which can cause water pollution. So the first step in any erosion problem would be to determine what is causing the erosion. When planning a restoration to a site with erosion, one must take into consideration if the changes will be meant to slow down the erosion to a more natural timeframe or to completely stop the erosion. Then the possibility of actual construction must be examined. Best Management Practices, or BMPs, are actions that can be taken to reduce impact on the environment, help protect and preserve water quality, and retain the natural characteristics of the site. Recognizing the need for restoration, the decision must be made whether to restore the habitats to previous conditions or restore to a new state, one that delivers benefits to the habitat, fish and wildlife. One final consideration must be once habitats are restored, will this cause side effects not seen before in this environment' This can be introduction of a species, either plant or wildlife, not indigenous to the area, or an effect on the surroundings from the actual construction of preventative methods for erosion. All of this must be considered before attempting any changes to the environment. There is more to just the washing away of soil that is affected by erosion. Topsoil can add chemicals that can change the water’s balance as well as pollute the water. It affects the penetration of light into the water by clouding, impeding aquatic plant growth. Erosion can affect the spawning beds of certain fish, causing a decrease in numbers. Soil particles can clog the gills of fish and irritate the mucous membranes of the skin and eyes, making them more susceptible to disease and infection. Erosion can cause the vegetation to be washed away further destroying or degrading habitats for a wide range of plants and animals. The effects of habitat loss of even a few species can destroy other ecosystems or keep them from functioning properly. When restoring the land that has been decimated by erosion, one must consider more than just “fixing” the current problem. You have to fix it so that it doesn’t continue to occur over and over again. By planting moisture-absorbing plants, creating supports that keep the soil from washing away, and changing of various aspects of the surrounding area can help stabilize and area prone to erosion. Constructing bulkheads (retaining walls), using Gabions (rock-filled wire baskets) or possibly a Geo Web matrix (thick, open-cell plastic grids) can decrease or stop further erosion. When replacing the topsoil from erosion, sources can also affect the ecosystem. Removal of soil from one area to another can change the balance of those ecosystems. If diverting of the water flow is used, will the added water affect the water table, change its chemical balance, introduce toxins to the water… all these must be considered. Ecosystems are exceedingly complex systems that are change continually. Consequently the most successful restoration project focuses on reestablishing the ecosystem that is key to its growth. Removing the sources of damage, rather than seeking to engineer some final outcome, can ensure that the restoration is successful. Research needs to be done to determine what has been lost besides soil – plants, rocks, trees and leaf debris. All of this combined can create a habitat that is more sustainable and enduring. Also replacement of anything within an ecosystem must be reviewed before introduction. Is the plant indigenous to the area' Will the plant be toxic to animals in one area and not in another' Landscaping must be considered as sustainable and enduring. One last consideration – and caution – is to avoid creating a habitat that might be attracting of other species than what is already in the environment. Introduction of another species can totally disrupt the ecosystem already in place. Erosion of the shorelines of many water sources is a problem that environmental and local organizations have to deal with over time. There is more to restoring an eroded shoreline than just adding dirt! Restoration to the habitats can be accomplished through management and protection. Reestablishing plants to return abiotic factors and biotic factors to original levels is also necessary. A well-restored habitat and ecosystem can reveal the original diversity of the species instead of a monoculture of one species. Reestablishment of plants can also provide a food source for fauna and thereby helping to restore animal populations. Soil conditions are very important when reestablishing plants because it will determine what will grow and where. Other important factors that must be measured are soil moisture and mineral content, aeration, and presence of microorganisms. “Most plants are associated with fungi called mycorrhizal fungi (also called mycorrhizae), an association that is integral to a plant's system for absorbing nutrients and water. These fungi associate with the roots of the plants and help in gathering and transporting nutrients and minerals to the plant. These symbiotic relationships are often species specific, and this makes them essential in reestablishing native plants. Without their symbiotic fungi, many native plants are weak competitors with nonnative species. Therefore, it is often necessary to introduce the correct mycorrhizal fungus into the plants through inoculation,” Allan Cobb (2002) stated in an article in Global Reference on the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources. In order to create healthy food cycles and assist in the aeration of soil, bacteria and earthworms might be introduced as required to each damaged habitat. Understanding and knowledge of these fungus, bacteria and earth worms required for each habitat is mandatory in order to restore the habitat properly. Patterns for drainage and the water content for soil might be changed to encourage the natural growth of native flora. By flooding dry areas, wetlands can be restored. Introduction of the native flora appropriate for the area can take place once the water is reintroduced. Wetland birds and waterfowl could possibly help out seed dispersal from wetlands nearby. Cobb also clarifies that “stream habitats may also be restored through appropriate management. Maintenance of adequate riparian zones can eliminate the need for such restoration measures by reducing the impact of floods”. Restoring habitats can be a difficult process and problems often arise. Invasive species, soil problems, and a discrepancy in populations can create a challenge. Exotic, or invasive, species could possibly cause native species a lessoning of nutrients in the early stages. Other factors to consider than might create some difficulties in restoration are “subtle difference in moisture, altitude, slope aspect, and other variables” (Cobb, 2002). Some species can find it hard to establish themselves in one area because they have adapted to conditions in another area. Other factors to consider that could create difficulties in some restorations are “subtle differences in moisture, altitude, slope aspect, and other variables” (Cobb, 2002). Establishing one species in one area might be problematic if they have adapted to conditions in another. A thorough understanding of the ecological requirements of both abiotic and biotic is a must-have in order to restore a habitat properly. Understanding the use patterns of the land historically, knowledge of what a perfect habitat in that area would look like can be difficult to document and require a considerable outlay of finances, time, and energy. But the result of a better understanding of habitat ecosystems can enable educated decisions to be made when restoring. Continued research on ecosystems, techniques of restoration is a significant component to the health and welfare of the planet as well as humankind. Proposed community participation in this protocol will necessitate volunteer groups, and notices to communities around the watershed that might have run-off. Flyers to let homeowners know what can and can’t be allowed into the watershed as well as why would need to be produced. Various watershed associates already established could be tapped for experienced crews as well as additional volunteers. There are already local government groups in effect that could also be used as a source of information and guidance. Loch Raven Small Watershed Action Plans (SWAP) could be reviewed for additional information required in restoration of the habitats in the area. Baltimore County’s Environmental Protection & Resource Management as well as Baltimore City Department of Public Works would be an additional source of information, guidelines and advice when dealing with the watershed itself as well as the water in Loch Raven Reservoir. Baltimore also has a Metropolitan Council and Environmental Control Board that are available for further education and advice as well. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, American Fishers Society, the Environmental Protection Agency, Woods Hole Group, the Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service, as well as the Department of Fish and Wildlife can be resourced for information concerning the restoration of habitats, the understanding of the requirements needed, the knowledge to be gained, and any further instruction in habitat restoration. The initial outcome of the restoration will provide a native ecosystem to be reestablished as well as the flora and fauna involved, and it will be an ongoing necessity to manage the continued positive outcome as well. The long term outcome would not only entail the reeducation of the community, awareness of the local businesses, but the continued growth of the restored habitat. Maintenance of the habitats and watershed will be require a periodic time-frames that will need to be established as knowledge and understanding is gained in the restoration process. It takes a little effort, a little thought, and a lot of concern to protect your water supply as well as the habitats the depend on it. Each person can do their own part to protect the watershed and habitats, but there must be more stringent laws and by-laws to keep communities responsible for their own part. It is a multi-step process, but it can start with you. Are you willing to start' References: Allan B. Cobb. Vol. 2. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 78-81. Global Reference on the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources. Web. 7 Mar. 2010. Gale Document Number:CX3400500128 Habitat Loss. Environmental Science: In Context. Ed. Brenda Lerner and K. Lerner. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2009. 408-412. Global Reference on the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources. Web. 7 Mar. 2010. Gale Document Number:CX3233900119 Hill, Ryan I. "Habitat Restoration." Animal Sciences. Ed. Allan B. Cobb. Vol. 3. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 1-5. Global Reference on the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources. Web. 7 Mar. 2010. Document URL http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/grnr/infomark.do'&contentSet=EBKS&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=GRNR&docId=CX3400500181&source=gale&userGroupName=uphoenix&version=1.0 Gale Document Number:CX3400500181 Restoration Mistakenly Helps Pest Gulls. Conservation in Practice. Pg. 11-12. Retrieved on 3/12/10 from http://www.imedea.uib.es/bc/gep/docs/Conservation%20in%20practice.pdf Richmond, Elliot. "Habitat Loss." Animal Sciences. Ed. Allan B. Cobb. Vol. 2. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 179-185. Global Reference on the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources. Web. 7 Mar. 2010. Document URL http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/grnr/infomark.do'&contentSet=EBKS&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=GRNR&docId=CX3400500167&source=gale&userGroupName=uphoenix&version=1.0 Gale Document Number:CX3400500167 Stabilizing Your Shoreline to Prevent Erosion. University of Michigan. Reviewed 2008. Retrieved on 3/10/10 from http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/components/DD6946g.html Watershed Protection – Erosion. Capital Regional District. Retrieved on 3/10/10 from http://www.crd.bc.ca/watersheds/protection/concerns/Erosion.htm Reservoir Watershed Management Program. Retrieved online 3/17/10 from http://www.baltometro.org/environmental-planning/reservoir-watershed-management-program-details