Emily Shimada, Environmental Science, University of Idaho Research Team B: Watershed Management in the Andean Paramo Faculty Advisors: Dr. Alex Fremier, Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho Carlos Iñiguez A. Instituto de Ecología Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

Introduction: Sediment in Fluvial Environments Bedload (D>1mm) Suspended load (D<0.05mm) Wash load (D<0.0063mm) NameDiameter (mm) Boulders Cobbles Gravel Sand Silt Clay > <0.004 Texture Classification

Introduction: Cause & Effect of Increased Fluvial Sediment SourceImpact NaturalAnthropogenicCourse grain/ BedloadFine grain/ Suspended load Climate Vegetation Topography Geology & soil Tectonics Base level Surface erodibility Time/history Mining Agriculture Deforestation Urbanization Dams Traffic/Roads/Construct ion Grazing Increased water level Flooding potential Alterations in channel dimensions Alterations in the stream substrates Alterations in aquatic organism habitat Increased flow viscosity & reduced settling velocity - >increase transport grain size & bedload Reduced depth for sunlight penetration ->hinders photosynthesis

Background: Tropical Mountain Stream Ecosystems SourceImpact NaturalAnthropogenicMining Course sedient build up-> increases channel bed elevation (decreasing flow) Decreased aquatic biological activity Steep topography Tropical Climate High rainfall Abundant vegetation Land use management Mining activities

Research Objectives 1. What is the observed grain size distribution in: Streams considered “un-impacted” from human land use activities (mining) Impacted stream Above & Below sites with changes in land use 2. What is the predicted grain size distribution based on measurable stream dimensions in: Streams considered “un-impacted” from human land use activities (mining) Impacted stream- Above & Below sites with changes in land use 3. Is there a relationship between: Observed & predicted D50 in different streams and stream reaches Land use gradient & observed grain size distribution Physical stream properties & ecological functioning of the stream? Study Site

Site Selection Impacted & un-impacted Above & Below areas of distinct land use differences (mining) Establish sites at the Stream Reach scale Length = approx. 10X Width Relatively uniform slope, dimensions, velocity Methods: 1) Field Work Sediment Property Measurements Pebble Count  Median Grain Size (D 50 ) Wet Sieving  Median Grain Size (D 50 ) For sediment diameters 1mm & 2mm 64mm 1mm General Stream Measurements Velocity Cross-sectional Area Wetted Perimeter Turbidity Slope Depth Bankfull width

Methods: 2) Analytical Work 1) Predicted grain size distribution: D 50 that moves at observed flow D 50 that moves at bankfull flow  bf =  gRS Additional Measurements Discharge Q=VA Turbidity Manning’s roughness Initiation of Motion 2) Establish relationship between predicted & observed D 50 : Between & within un-impacted stream reaches Between & within impacted stream reaches (above and below land use site) 3) Compare grain size distribution between impacted & un-impacted streams Is there a clear correlation of grain size distribution to land use gradient? Is there an ecological impact?  G =  gRS (shear stress)  

Relevance & Connection Physical Impact of current land uses Bio-indicator Framework Current watershed uses & policies Cultural & political Perceptions of watershed use & resulting impacts Is there an observed ecological impact? What is the relationship between land use and ecological impact? What needs to be done? Is there an interest and/or agenda for watershed protection? What can be done at the local & international level order to accommodate cultural values and stakeholders’ interests, while promoting sustainable land use practices and policies? Watershed use & policy jurisdiction (stakeholders) Societal/Political affect on watershed use & the ecosystem

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