U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center Research in the Shenandoah Valley Presented to the Shenandoah Valley Natural

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

Leetown Science Center Research in the Shenandoah Valley

Presented to the Shenandoah Valley Natural Systems Symposium

October 15, 2007Administration Building, Leetown Science Center, Kearneysville, West Virginia

Shenandoah Valley Natural Systems SymposiumOctober 15, 2007

Leetown Science CenterThe Mission and The Vision

Our Mission is to conduct research needed to restore, maintain, enhance, and protect aquatic and terrestrial organisms and their supporting ecosystems.

Our Vision: The Leetown Science Center is internationally known for our relevant and scientifically sound research. Natural Bridge, Cedar Creek, Virginia.

Photographer: Matt Kozlowski


Leetown Science CenterCurrent Research Goals

The six thematic areas of research Leetown will pursue over the next five years are:

Fish HealthFish Health

Molecular BiologyMolecular Biology

Landscape EcologyLandscape Ecology

Genetics and GenomicsGenetics and Genomics

Ecological Flow Requirements Ecological Flow Requirements

Restoration of Populations and HabitatsRestoration of Populations and Habitats

North Fork of the Shenandoah River USGS Photo


Leetown Science CenterPartners In the Shenandoah Valley

National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University University of Virginia West Virginia Water Science Center West Virginia Department of Natural Resources West Virginia University


Leetown Science CenterRecent Shenandoah Valley Research

Assessment of vegetation communities in relation to ecological units within Shenandoah National Park

Biological significance of headwater streams and springs in Shenandoah National Park

Effects of stream water chemistry on mercury concentrations in brook trout in Shenandoah National Park

Fish/Mercury Survey at Shenandoah National Park

A pilot study of fish health issues at the landscape scale in the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River Dark Shadow Falls, Shenandoah National Park,

Virginia. Photographer: Patrick Holleran, Shannon Technologies


Leetown Science CenterCurrent Shenandoah Valley Research Effects of estrogen and related contaminants on the expression of

genes involved in the innate immune system of fish in the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers

Ecology of periphyton on the North Fork, Shenandoah River

Passage Creek, Virginia Photographer: Cliff Hupp, USGS

Investigation of Point and Non-point Bacterial Contamination in West Virginia and Virginia Waters by Rapid Molecular Methods

Identifying the fundamental unit of management of the Madison Cave isopod, Antrolana lira

Migration of silver-phase American eels in relation to hydroelectric dams on the Shenandoah River, VA


Leetown Science CenterData Gaps and Research Needs

Develop a systematic and well coordinated approach between federal, state, and local agencies in sampling fish to better understand status and trends in fish populations throughout the Shenandoah River system. This will establish a baseline so we can evaluate the impact of future changes in response to environmental change.

Need to identify localized ground water inflows to the Shenandoah River so we can better understand their impact on spatial and temporal patterns of riverine habitat use by aquatic biota due to such factors as water temperature and water quality effects.

Develop a better understanding of the impact point and non-point sources of contamination to the Shenandoah River and its tributaries on aquatic organisms and habitat.


Leetown Science CenterData Gaps and Research Needs

Develop a landscape ecology model that identifies the spatial and temporal distribution of aquatic species and habitats in the Shenandoah River and its tributaries. Provide this model to resource managers to better evaluate the impact of various resource management actions from the local to the regional scale.

Glenn Falls, North River, Virginia. Photographer: D.L. Ennis Visual Thoughts (http://dlennis.wordpress.com/)

Develop landscape scale capabilities to assess aquatic animal health and disease at the population level. Use this information to develop methods to better protect and restore population health by reducing, eliminating, and eradicating diseases.

Develop adaptive management strategies that address aquatic animal health.


In Summary, The Leetown Science Center is AAn active and productive partner conducting aquatic n active and productive partner conducting aquatic

biology research in the Shenandoah Valley.biology research in the Shenandoah Valley.

RReady to participate and contribute to finding solutions to eady to participate and contribute to finding solutions to restore, enhance, and protect aquatic organisms, their restore, enhance, and protect aquatic organisms, their habitats, and ecological relationships to sustain a habitats, and ecological relationships to sustain a balanced ecosystem in the Shenandoah Valley.balanced ecosystem in the Shenandoah Valley.

PPoised to collaborate in the development of a oised to collaborate in the development of a Landscape/Riverscape Ecology model useful to resource Landscape/Riverscape Ecology model useful to resource managers throughout the Shenandoah Valley.managers throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

Documents

U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center Research in the Shenandoah Valley Presented to the Shenandoah Valley Natural