A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey suggests that anticipated increases in urban land use in the Piedmont region of the southeastern United States will lead to loss of sensitive fish and invertebrate species from thousands of miles of small streams.
A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey suggests that anticipated increases in urban land use in the Piedmont region of the southeastern United States will lead to loss of sensitive fish and invertebrate species from thousands of miles of small streams.
The study’s findings and associated ecological models provide information and projections that can help city and state land managers develop strategies to lessen the adverse effects of current and projected urban development.
“This study provides a warning of how extensive stream degradation from urban development could be by mid-century,” says lead author Peter Van Metre, USGS research hydrologist. “But that’s assuming development continues at a rapid pace and that development patterns and chemical use remain the same. The study also identifies the specific urban stressors responsible for species loss—useful information for devising mitigation strategies.”
Continue reading at USGS.
Image via USGS.
