Establishing nutrient criteria in streams

TLDR

The BRIDGES series provides a forum for exchanging ideas between basic and applied benthic researchers, yet few peer‑reviewed studies exist on nutrient criteria for streams, leaving policymakers without guidance amid widespread water‑quality impairment and rapid development. This issue seeks to establish nutrient criteria for lotic ecosystems to inform U.S. and international water‑quality regulations and to address the knowledge gap affecting stream management. The series will feature topical research linking basic science, applied monitoring, policy, and education to develop these criteria.

Abstract

BRIDGESbridges is a recurring feature ofJ-NABSintended to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and information between basic and applied researchers in benthic science. Articles in this series will focus on topical research areas and linkages between basic and applied aspects of research, monitoring policy, and education. Readers with ideas for topics should contact Associate Editors, Nick Aumen and Marty Gurtz.Criteria for setting nutrient levels in lotic ecosystems are relevant to US states and other countries in the process of setting water-quality regulations. There are few articles in the peer-reviewed literature on this topic, and policy makers have had little information from which to base their decisions for streams. This lack of information is particularly troublesome because of the large number of streams and rivers that have impaired water quality, and the ever-increasing pace of urban and agricultural development. In addition to the effects of high nutrient concentrations on stream ecosystem structure and function, high nutrient concentrations, particularly nitrate, may have adverse effects on human health.Nick Aumen,[email protected]Marty Gurtz,[email protected]Co-editors