Nature-based solutions to pollution in urban streams

Stream restoration is a nature-based approach for managing nitrogen in degraded, flashy urban streams.  Over the past two decades, we have conducted multiple studies at streams in Cincinnati, Baltimore, and Washington DC to quantify the efficacy of stream restoration as a BMP.  Here, I summarize the efficacy of stream restoration as a BMP for pollutants like nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals.  N management via stream restoration will be most effective where flashiness can be reduced, and DOC made available for denitrifiers.  Stream restoration may be an important component of holistic watershed management including stormwater management and nutrient source control.  I discuss the challenges of data collection, trend analysis, unintended consequences of restoration, and future challenges and emerging contaminants.   

Impact/Purpose

This is an invited presentation for the Wildlife Habitat Council (https://www.wildlifehc.org/) on pollution prevention and removal using green infrastructure. The webinar is focused on Nature Based Solutions for Pollution Prevention in celebration of National P2 Week.  The WHC is one of EPA’s new grantees and has partnered with the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (Automotive Manufacturing Suppliers) to work with suppliers on Nature Based Solution around their facilities.  I discuss the use of stream restoration as a popular approach for managing nitrogen in degraded, flashy urban streams.  Questions remain over its efficacy to remove significant amounts of nitrogen despite its recommended use in the latest protocol for Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts (e.g. “Consensus Recommendations to Improve Protocols 2 and 3 for Defining Stream Restoration Pollutant Removal Credits”).  Our data collected over two decades of research is intended to help practitioners identify the most effective stream restoration approaches for pollution management in urban ecosystems.  I discuss unintended consequences of stream restoration and future challenges for research.

Citation

Mayer, P. Nature-based solutions to pollution in urban streams. Wildlife Habitat Council, N/A, Virtual, September 09, 2021.