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Stream ecosystems change with urban development
General Information Product
143
National Water-Quality Assessment Program
By: Amanda H. Bell, F. Coles James, and Gerard McMahon
The healthy condition of the physical living space in a natural stream—defined by unaltered hydrology (streamflow), high diversity of habitat features, and natural water chemistry—supports diverse biological communities with aquatic species that are sensitive to disturbances.
In a highly degraded urban stream, the poor condition of the physical living space—streambank and tree root damage from altered hydrology, low diversity of habitat, and inputs of chemical contaminants—contributes to biological communities with low diversity and high tolerance to disturbance.
Suggested Citation
Bell, A.H., James, F.C., McMahon, G., 2012, Stream ecosystems change with urban development: U.S. Geological Survey General Information Product 143, 1 p.: 17 x 11 inches, https://doi.org/10.3133/gip143.