Combs 2014
Ph.D. Research Proposal: Survey of Possible New Habitat of the endangered Hay’s Spring Amphipod (Stygobromus hayi) and possible effects of urban runoff from the planned building of WMATA’s Purple Line on the existing habitat of S. hayi.
Background:
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is planning on building an east-west line linking the Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and is expected be completed by 2020 and cost $2.2 billion while creating many jobs in the process. The problem is that a portion of the train crosses into Rock Creek Park, a National Park, and home to Stygobromus hayi, known better as Hay’s Spring Amphipod. This small crustacean is no more than 10mm long and is blind. It lives in freshwater seeps that are sealed into the benthos via a layer of fine clay. Little is known of its biology or ecology; however, it is, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an endangered species.
Literature Review:
There is little known about Stygobromus hayi, and as a result, there is scarce literature on the subject. Culver et al. (2006) was conducting a survey of hypotelminorheic habitats within the DC region as well as similar habitats around the world and located S. hayi noting the vulnerability of S. hayi considering its small range of habitat. Paek (2002) also noted, and gave an apt description of S. hiya’s environment. WMATA has published a large amount of literature concerning the Purple Line, however, this is to be looked at critically considering WMATA has a specific agenda. They reportedly have conducted wildlife surveys and consulted with the Department of Natural Resources and they have reported that no disruptions will occur. However, they also noted that does not mean endangerd species are not present.
Hypotheses:
Through GIS analysis as well as a field surveys I will find a larger habitat range for S. hayi. Along with the laboratory experiments testing the effects of chemicals found in urban runoff such as fertilizers, pesticides, and motor oil, I will find that these chemicals will be detrimental to the overall population of S. hayi, and thus the proposed building of WMATA’s Purple Line should be rerouted away from Rock Creek Park.
Data:
A brief survey of the known habitat of Stygobromus hayi should confirm the location of the amphipod as well as new surveys of adjacent tributaries would confirm or deny an expanded range of S. hayi. Laboratory experiments with different chemicals will provide data on mortality rates from anthropogenic inputs. Once those are established GIS software will determine the habitat areas most susceptible to damage from the proposed construction of the Purple Line. DEM can be obtained from the USGS websites and will be Combs 2014 used to calculate hydrology data. Through WMATA’s website I will be able to gather the proposed route of the Purple Line. A land use map will be used as well.
Methods:
Samples will be taken at random spots throughout the park to mark the presence or absence of S. hayi throughout its known habitat within Rock Creek Park. GPS waypoints will be taken at these locations and a range of habitat will be determined within Rock Creek Park. Within the lab, commercial fertilizers, pesticides, and motor oils will be tested using different concentrations to determine the effect of these on the mortality of S. hayi. Finally, GIS software, specifically ArcMap will be used to determine the hydrology of the habitat as well as any possible new habitats that could contain S. hayi within Rock Creek Park, and other parks in the area. Fresh water containing a fine, clay substrate, S. hayi’s preferred habitat, will be singled out from the land-use map and other possible habitats will be determined. The FLOWACCUMULATION tool as well as the FLOWDIRECTION tool will be used to determine the direction and severity of runoff flow from surrounding within Rock Creek Park. Via the raster calculator, the urban areas surrounding Rock Creek Park will be determined and the FLOWACCUMULATION tool will be run once more to determine the direction and severity of runoff resulting from the surrounding urban areas.
Anticipated Results:
I anticipate that we will find S. hayi within Rock Creek Park confirming findings from previous studies. Newer habitats will be determined via GIS analysis for future study, however within those future studies I am not confident that S. hayi will occupy those habitats. As for the lab studies I anticipate finding that fertilizers, insecticides, and motor oils will have a severe effect on the mortality rates of S. hayi, even at very low concentrations. I predict the GIS hydrology analysis will report a large amount of runoff funneling into Rock Creek Park, most of which will end up in streams inhabited by S. hayi. As a result, I will predict that the building of the WMATA’s Purple Line through Rock Creek Park will have a profound effect on the health of the S. hayi population.
Policy Applications: My research will shed light on the WMATA and the ecological issues associated with building the Purple Line. WMATA will likely need to rework its proposed route, or publish environmental impact studies refuting my findings. Also, Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, as well as the National Park Service, need to tighten up regulations surrounding anthropogenic runoff into habitats occupied by endangered species.
Budget: The budget for this project assumes that I am already enrolled at the University, these are the additional costs incurred when taking on this project.
Combs 2014
Item Estimated Cost GIS Software $10,000 Equipment (GPS, Sieves, Cores) $400 Chemicals (Pesticides, Fertilizers, etc.) $200 Travel (Fuel) $500 Institutional Overhead costs $4,440 Estimated Total: $15,540
Timeframe:
Sampling will occur in the Summer of 2014, a total of 3 sampling trips must be taken in order to acquire the samples required for lab experiments. Laboratory experiments will begin in the Fall of 2014 and will continue until Winter of 2015. Spring of 2015 will consist of GIS analysis and thesis composition will follow shortly after. Project should conclude before the end of the Spring 2015 academic cycle. The Purple Line is projected to open in the year 2020 however the build date is projected to begin in 2015, the exact date unknown, so urgency is required.
Sources:
Culver, D.C., Pipan, T., Gottstein, S. 2006. Hypotelminorheic – A unique freshwater habitat. Subterranean Biology 4: 1-7.
“Home- Maryland Purple Line.” Home- Maryland purple Line. N.P., n.d. Web 15 May 2014.
Pavek, D. 2002. Enemic amphipods in our nation’s capital. Endangered Species Bulletin 23: 8-9.
Shaver, K. 2013. Purple line’s obscure obstacle: the endangerd hay’s spring amphipod. Washington Post.
“Species Profile for Hay’s Spring Amphipod (Stygobromus hayi).” Species Profile for Hay’s Spring Amphipod (Stygobromus Hayi). N.p., n.d. Web 15 May 2014.