EXAMPLES OF CONCEPTUAL MODELS PROPOSAL WRITING

ECO 601 – RESEARCH CONCEPTS

PROF. ROY & DESTEFANO 3 OCTOBER 2012

http://www.exploringnature.org/graphics/ecology/succession72.jpg

http://cahnrsalumni.wsu.edu/connections/files/2011/10/nitrogen-cycle.jpg

The Nitrogen Cycle

Smith et al. 2009. JNABS 28:1022-1037

Aquatic Insect Life Cycle

http://www.blm.gov/nstc/soil/foodweb/images/FOOD%20WEB.jpg

http://www.fisherycrisis.com/images/foodwewb.gif

Conceptual Models in different sections of a

Proposal/Prospectus/Paper

B. Construction sed.

↑ 3. Channel

enlargement/

simplification

D. Stormwater

runoff from EIA*

J. Road crossings

↑ 2. Sediments

(suspended &

deposited)

↓ 9. Dissolved oxygen

↑ 11. light

↑ 4. Flow alteration

↑7. Ionic strength

↑ 12. movement barriers

↑ 8. Available nutrients

↑ 5. Temperature

↑ 6. Toxins

d. Fishes

iii. Stormwater

mgt.

H. Riparian degradation

I. Impoundments

b. Algal

communities

x. Road crossing

regs.

i. Erosion &

sed. regs.

viii. Riparian

buffer regs.

F. Pointsources

ii. Planning

regs.

vi. Point source

regs.

ix. Dam placement

& mgt. policies

e. Other

vertebrates

a. Organic

matter

Notes: Most major pathways are shown with arrows.

Stormwater runoff from EIA is indicated in bold to highlight its

central importance in most urban areas in developed nations.

Other pathways are indicated with a plus sign (e.g., “+ii”

means that planning regulations also can manage the

stressor source). Stressors 1-11 affect all levels of

ecosystem structure and function via various mechanisms.

Ecosystem response pathways are not shown for simplicity.

Abbreviations: sed. = sedimentation, regs. = regulations, mgt.

= management, EIA = effective (connected) impervious area.

*To a lesser degree, stormwater runoff is also from other,

altered land cover.

**Piped streams affect virtually all other stressors, although

relationships are not shown here.

A. Piping

1. Piped

stream**

xi. Reach-scale

restoration

G. Septic systems & sewer lines

↓ 10. Leaves and wood

+ H

+ A,2

+ H,I,J water quality

vii. Septic/sewer

mgt. policies

+ 5,6

+ 2,3,4

+ ii

+ ii,D

Management

Action

Watershed

Stressor Source

Stressor Ecosystem

Response

C. Channelization

j. Δ Respiration

f. Δ Nutrient

uptake

FunctionStructure

g. Δ Leaf

breakdown

h. Δ Primary

production

i. Δ Secondary

production

Conceptual Model of

Urban Effects on Streams1/22/08

c. Invertebrates

v. Water use regs.

E. Waterwithdrawals

In-Stream

Stressor Source

KEY

+ ii + ii,viii+ viii

+ H,I,J+H

+ ii

iv.Toxin/fertilizer

use controls

+ v

B. Construction sed.

↑ 3. Channel

enlargement/

simplification

D. Stormwater

runoff from EIA*

J. Road crossings

↑ 2. Sediments

(suspended &

deposited)

↓ 9. Dissolved oxygen

↑ 11. light

↑ 4. Flow alteration

↑7. Ionic strength

↑ 12. movement barriers

↑ 8. Available nutrients

↑ 5. Temperature

↑ 6. Toxins

d. Fishesd. Fishes

iii. Stormwater

mgt.

H. Riparian degradationH. Riparian degradation

I. Impoundments

b. Algal

communities

b. Algal

communities

x. Road crossing

regs.

i. Erosion &

sed. regs.

viii. Riparian

buffer regs.

F. Pointsources

ii. Planning

regs.

vi. Point source

regs.

ix. Dam placement

& mgt. policies

e. Other

vertebrates

e. Other

vertebrates

a. Organic

matter

a. Organic

matter

Notes: Most major pathways are shown with arrows.

Stormwater runoff from EIA is indicated in bold to highlight its

central importance in most urban areas in developed nations.

Other pathways are indicated with a plus sign (e.g., “+ii”

means that planning regulations also can manage the

stressor source). Stressors 1-11 affect all levels of

ecosystem structure and function via various mechanisms.

Ecosystem response pathways are not shown for simplicity.

Abbreviations: sed. = sedimentation, regs. = regulations, mgt.

= management, EIA = effective (connected) impervious area.

*To a lesser degree, stormwater runoff is also from other,

altered land cover.

**Piped streams affect virtually all other stressors, although

relationships are not shown here.

A. Piping

1. Piped

stream**

xi. Reach-scale

restoration

G. Septic systems & sewer lines

↓ 10. Leaves and wood

+ H

+ A,2

+ H,I,J water quality

vii. Septic/sewer

mgt. policies

+ 5,6

+ 2,3,4

+ ii

+ ii,D

Management

Action

Watershed

Stressor Source

Stressor Ecosystem

Response

Ecosystem

Response

C. Channelization

j. Δ Respirationj. Δ Respiration

f. Δ Nutrient

uptake

f. Δ Nutrient

uptake

FunctionStructure

g. Δ Leaf

breakdown

g. Δ Leaf

breakdown

h. Δ Primary

production

h. Δ Primary

production

i. Δ Secondary

production

i. Δ Secondary

production

Conceptual Model of

Urban Effects on Streams1/22/08

c. Invertebratesc. Invertebrates

v. Water use regs.

E. Waterwithdrawals

In-Stream

Stressor Source

KEY

+ ii + ii,viii+ viii

+ H,I,J+H

+ ii

iv.Toxin/fertilizer

use controls

+ v

Urban Impacts on Streams Wenger et al. 2009. JNABS 28:1080-1098

8

Figure 2. Research approach and outcomes.

The Urban Stream Paradigm: Landscape-Scale Predictors and Mechanisms of Stream Degradation

USGS Powell Center Proposal – PI: A. Roy et al. (2012)

Riffle 1

Riffle 2

Riffle 3

Surbersampler

Drift net

Surbersampler

Drift net

Figure 3. Example placement of drift nets and Surber samplers for collection of macroinvertebrates within a stream reach.

In pursuit of friendly waters: Behavioral drift of macroinvertebrates in urbanizing streams

Kutztown University Research Committee Proposal (2010) PI: Allison Roy

Roy et al. 2005. CJFAS 62:2312-2329

Reach-scale effects of riparian forest cover on urban stream ecosystems

Examples of Conceptual Models

from previous students in

Research Concepts

Fish Passage Designs

Upstream passage Downstream passage

Pool & weir

Denil Ice Harbor

Nature-like

Weir

Vertical Slot

Fish lock

Bypass channels

Fish lift

Dam removal

Rock ramp

Baffle

Steepass

Archimedes Screw

Technical

Turbine modification

An Evaluation of Nature-Like Fishways for Passage of Alewife (Alosa aestivalis)

by Abigail Franklin

Wake, 2005

Climate warming effects on sugar maple (Acer saccharum) distribution and implications for vertebrates of New England

Ezra Small, M.S. Candidate, Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation

Ecological Services

Carbon Sequestration

Biodiversity Recreation Water Purification Timber

Canopy cover Water bodies Tree density Tree type Acreage Elevation (etc.)

Road density Median income Land parcel size Real-estate value Population density Public vs. Private ownership (etc.) Ec

olo

gica

l/p

hys

ical

Social

A Socio-Ecological Definition of Forest: A more relevant definition for the urban-rural interface

Amy Nathanson

Measured Grid System

Culvert Entrance/Bypass Area

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Road Passage Structures for Freshwater Turtles in Massachusetts

by David Paulson

Donor River: Nemasket

Fish Stay

Fish Spawn <24 Hours

Suitable Area Unsuitable Area

Fish Return

River Herring Restoration in the Ipswich River: Conceptual Model

Stressors

Restoration efforts

unsuccessful

Tagging experiment

unsuccessful

Restoration efforts successful

Adults home to the Ipswich

Survival

Juveniles imprint to the

Ipswich

Recipient River: Ipswich

Fish Leave

No Survival

Fish Don’t Spawn

Stressors

by Holly Frank