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USDA Weighs In: The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program report “Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (SAP 4.3): The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity in the United States ” integrates the Federal research efforts of 13 agencies on climate and global change. This was released 5/28/08.

The report has 38 authors from the universities, national laboratories, non-governmental organizations, and Federal service. SAP 4.3 has undergone expert peer review by 14 scientists through a Federal Advisory Committee formed by the USDA, and includes over 1,000 references. USDA was the lead agency for this report as part of its commitment to CCSP.

The report focuses on the next 25 to 50 years, and finds that climate change is already affecting U.S. water resources, agriculture, land resources, and biodiversity, and will continue to do so.

If you would like to receive the printed final report when it becomes available please send your request to ClimateReport@oce.usda.gov.

Extracted from the Executive Summary:
The CCSP agencies agreed on the following set of topics for this assessment. Descriptions of the major findings in each of these sectors can be found in Section 4 of this Executive Summary.
• Agriculture: (a) cropping systems, (b) pasture and grazing lands, and (c) animal management
• Land Resources: (a) forests and (b) arid lands
• Water Resources: (a) quantity, availability, and accessibility and (b) quality
• Biodiversity: (a) species diversity and (b) rare and sensitive ecosystems
The CCSP also agreed on a set of questions to guide the assessment process. Answers to these questions can be found in Section 3 of this summary:
• What factors influencing agriculture, land resources, water resources, and biodiversity in the United States are sensitive to climate and climate change?
• How could changes in climate exacerbate or ameliorate stresses on agriculture, land resources, water resources, and biodiversity? What are the indicators of these stresses?
• What current and potential observation systems could be used to monitor these indicators?

• Can observation systems detect changes in agriculture, land resources, water resources, and biodiversity that are caused by climate change, as opposed to being driven by other causes?

For a download of sections of this report, please visit the website.

Reno Nature Study Closed after Brush Fire

Reno Nature Study Closed after Brush Fire
Apr 28, 2008
AP

RENO, Nev. (AP) - The Oxbow Nature Study Area will be closed until further notice while crews work to clean up trees, snags and other hazardous debris left by a brush fire that burned more than half of the urban oasis in Reno, officials said Monday.

Officials said the Sunday afternoon fire was started by people, but the exact cause has yet to be determined.

Oxbow is owned by the city and Nevada Department of Wildlife. Officials said 16-18 acres of the 22-acre park along the Truckee River burned.

No injuries were reported during the fire, and nearby homes were spared from flames. The park is an urban hub of wildlife ranging from woodpeckers, water fowl and eagles to beavers, raccoons, mink and deer.

For entire article, please visit website below.

Nevada Tribe Assumes Leadership Role In Managing Water For Fish

RENO (AP) - A northern Nevada tribe has assumed a leadership role in managing the waters of a reservoir used for the purpose of maintaining and protecting two native species of fish.

The "team lead" for management of Stampede Reservoir's waters was transferred Friday from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.

The move gives the tribe the top role in scheduling releases of water from the Sierra reservoir located east of Truckee, Calif.

The water is stored solely for the endangered cui-ui (kwee-wee) fish and Lahontan cutthroat trout in the Truckee River and Pyramid Lake.

Fish and wildlife officials hailed the transfer as a "significant event."

A 1999 agreement signed by the fish and wildlife service, tribe, Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Indian Affairs called for the tribe to assume leadership status upon completion of a plan to protect fish in Pyramid Lake.

For entire article, please visit website.

The algae effect: Scientists harness the power of algae to remove nutrients and seidments from storm water

By Annie Flanzraich
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza News Editor
April 16, 2008

Nutrients are one of Lake Tahoe clarity’s arch enemies — add too much nitrogen or phosphorous and algae will sprout, clouding the famed crystal clear waters.

So using algae to clean water of the very nutrients that help it grow is a pretty novel idea.

And it’s working, according to research done by Alan Heyvaert of the Desert Research Institute and Steve Patterson of Bio X Design.

“Kind of ironic huh?” Heyvaert said. “It’s kind of a logical natural next step when you think about it.”

Heyvaert and Patterson began their research with the idea that if water was filtered through a tank with a biofilm — a screen covered in a layer of algae and nutrients — the algae would absorb the nutrients it needs to grow.

Then the water filtered out of the tank would be cleaned of some of the nutrients.
“We are using the algae to remove the nutrients that they grow on when they’re in the lake,” Heyvaert said. “In the lake if you put in too much nutrients they grow and you get too much algae.”

The idea seems to be working.

The process removed almost all the nitrogen in preliminary testing the team did last year with synthetic runoff water at a lab in Tahoe City for the Tahoe Environmental Research Center.

For entire article, please visit website.

Beware of invasive species

By Bruce Ajari
Special to the Bonanza
February 29, 2008

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) recently released a press release regarding its great concern for the New Zealand Mud Snail (NZMS). It is an invasive species that was first found in the Owens River in Mono County in 2000.
Since that time the tiny invasive snails have been confirmed in numerous other waters within California. According to DFG Invasive Species Coordinator, Susan R. Ellis, “New Zealand mud snails are just one of the many non-native invasive species that are impacting our natural resources.”

The DFG is appealing to the general public to help prevent further spread of the snails. Anglers and others who frequent California waters are asked to thoroughly clean all gear that comes in contact with the water, prior to moving to another location. In addition, individuals who are visiting state fish hatcheries should be careful to remove waders that have been in contact with affected waters before entering hatchery grounds.

To view entire article, please visit website below.

Invasive species threatening local waters

By Bruce Ajari
Gone Fishin'
February 22, 2008

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) recently released a press release regarding its concern about the New Zealand Mud Snail (NZMS) — an invasive species that was first found in the Owens River in Mono County in 2000.

Since that time the tiny snails have been confirmed in numerous other waters within California. According to Susan R. Ellis, DFG Invasive Species Coordinator, “New Zealand mud snails are just one of the many non-native invasive species that are impacting our natural resources.”

To view the entire article, please visit the website.

Biological Condition Index Development for the Truckee River: Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assemblage

Prepared By

Tetra Tech, Inc.
10045 Red Run Blvd, 110
Owings Mills, MD 21117

Prepared For

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
July 2004

Summary

The objective of our analysis was to develop a biological index for benthic macroinvertebrates for the Nevada portion of the mainstem of the Truckee River using preexisting data. We analyzed data collected by four separate entities, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe (PLPT), Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF), and Desert Research Institute (DRI). To develop a common dataset from collections of multiple entities, an evaluation of the field and/or lab methodological differences was performed to minimize non-random error. A common index period was designated as low flow (July to October), all replicates were combined, and the number of individuals per sample was set to 500 organisms (samples with more organisms were randomly sampled with a computer to 500).

A multimetric index was developed from the data set and comprised six metrics or attributes of the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage; total taxa, percent Ephemeroptera, percent Chironomidae, percent dominant taxon, percent filterers, and percent clingers. In an assessment, each metric value is converted to a standard score ranging between 0 and 100 (100 being closest to reference or optimal value). The scores for all six metrics are averaged to obtain an aggregated index score and compared to thresholds or break points based on percentages of the overall score and expected conditions for a good quality benthic macroinvertebrate community. Application of the benthic index to the mainstem of the Truckee River indicated the biological condition was of higher quality in the upper reaches and declined in quality as the river approaches Pyramid Lake. A more definitive assessment is pending the results of the analyses on companion assemblages of the aquatic community, namely the fish and algal assemblages.

Biological Condition Index Development for the Truckee River: Periphyton Assemblage

Prepared By
Clinton J. Davis and Christian H. Fritsen
Desert Research Institute
2215 Raggio Parkway
Reno NV, 89512

Prepared For
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
February 6, 2006

Summary
The objectives of the current activities were to determine if sufficient data was available to derive preliminary periphyton-based metrics that could be used in a periphyton-based indices of ecological condition for the Lower Truckee River, which could in turn be used to derive more comprehensive indices of biological integrity (IBI) based on fish, macroinvertebrates and periphyton populations. Derivation of metrics and indices was made possible through the use of relatively recent (2000 to 2004) seasonal periphyton data that was collected from 11 to 15 locations from California-Nevada border to Pyramid Lake. Although, the levels of taxonomic information from the different data sets were not always comparable, several candidate metrics and indices encompassing information from both the species level and the genera level were identified, calculated and evaluated.

Notable among the metrics most amenable for a Truckee River Periphyton Index were the Siltation Index, Shannon Diversity Index, Eutraphentic Index, Diatom Generic Richness, % Achnanthes minutissima, Chlorophyll a and Ash Free Dry Weight. These metrics covered several aspects of the periphyton community characteristics (richness, composition, tolerance, and habit) that are desired attributes to be accounted for in multimetric indices.

Application of a periphyton-based multimetric index to the mainstem of the Truckee River indicates a general upstream to downstream trend for decreasing ecological condition. However, these results are based on a limited amount of periphyton data and also need to be evaluated in combination with Index’s for fishes and macroinvertebrates in order to gain a more complete picture of the “condition” of the lower Truckee River.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Evaluating Water Quality in the Lower Truckee River

December 12, 2005

Results of this investigation revealed that trout in the Truckee River are being exposed to significant levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) within the urban area of Reno and Sparks. Trout downstream of the urban area of Reno and Sparks also have elevated concentrations of arsenic, mercury, and selenium. Based upon these results, the Service is working in conjunction with the cities of Reno and Sparks to develop and implement strategies to reduce non-point source (NPS) pollution to the Truckee River. The Service is also working directly with the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility to reduce potential impacts from their point source (PS) discharge to the Truckee River. Working with the Cities of Reno and Sparks, along with Washoe County, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, U.S. Geological Survey, Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada- Reno, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) standards for several constituents are being assessed and will be revised. The City of Reno also recently issued new storm-water engineering guidelines and best management practices to reduce non-point source pollution to the Truckee River. In addition, approximately 8 acres of riparian habitat were improved on McCarran Ranch to help reduce point and non-point source pollution in the lower Truckee River. Further restoration of the McCarran Ranch is planned along with planned additions of riparian and wetland habitats in the floodplain throughout the Truckee Meadows area for purposes of improving flood control.

Summary of current water chemistry and biological monitoring in Truckee River Basin between Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake

Written By

Jim Brock and Alan McKay
Contacts: jbrock@dri.edu, alan@dri.edu

This document presents the data collection and monitoring efforts that occur along the Truckee River by various organizations. This document is maintained by Jim Brock and Alan McKay of the Desert Research Institute.

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