Connectivity of streams and wetlands to downstream waters
Subtitle: a review and synthesis of the scientific evidence
By: National Center for Environmental Assessment
Published: 2015
Language: eng
Subjects: Watershed restoration; Management; Conservation; Riparian areas; Riparian ecology; Wetland conservation
Other titles: Connectivity of streams & wetlands to downstream waters :; Stream and wetland connectivity :
Notes: "The objective of the Clean Water Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development developed this report to inform rulemaking by the U.S. EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the definition of "waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act.  Its purpose is to summarize current scientific understanding about the connectivity and mechanisms by which streams and wetlands, singly or in aggregate, affect the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of downstream waters.  The focus of the review is on surface and shallow subsurface connections of small or temporary streams, nontidal wetlands, and certain open waters.  Because this report is a technical review of peer-reviewed scientific literature, it neither considers nor sets forth legal standards for Clean Water Act jurisdiction, nor does it establish EPA policy."--Taken from the executive summary.

The executive summary provides major conclusions.  Conclusion 1: Streams -- Conclusion 2: Riparian/floodplain wetlands and open waters -- Conclusion 3: Non-floodplain wetlands and open waters -- Conclusion 4: Degrees and determinants of connectivity -- Conclusion 5: Cumulative effects.

"January 2015."

"EPA 600/R-14/475F."

Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Chapter 1.; title: Introduction -- -- Chapter 2.; title: An integrated systems perspective on interactions of watersheds, streams, wetlands, and downstream waters -- -- Chapter 3.; title: Streams: Physical, chemical, and biological connections to rivers -- -- Chapter 4.; title: Wetlands: physical, chemical, and biological connections to rivers -- -- Chapter 5.; title: Applications and discussion: connectivity case studies -- -- Chapter 6.; title: Conclusions -- -- Chapter 7.; title: References -- -- Appendix A.; title: Glossary -- -- Appendix B.; title: Case studies: Carolina and Delmarva Bays ; Oxbow lakes ; Prarie potholes ; Prairie streams ; Southwestern intermittent and ephemeral streams ; Vernal pools --; title: References.