Ecological Indicators in Diversified Forested Watersheds: Relationships Between Watershed Characteristics and Stream Water Quality in Fort Benning, GA

Stream water quality depends on many factors including land use, climate, and soil conditions. As such, water quality may be used as an indicator of upslope watershed condition. However, limited studies have been conducted to identify potential indicators. An ongoing investigation in diversified forested watersheds at Fort Benning, GA examines these relationships with the objective of identifying surface water chemical signatures that may be used as ecological indicators. This study analyzes two years of water quality data collected in 7 watersheds that are characterized by very low nutrient concentrations, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. Relationships between water quality parameters (e.g., pH, specific conductivity, temperature, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, total suspended solids, chloride, and sulfate) and watershed characteristics (e.g., area, stream density, road density, average elevation and slope, disturbance level, and land use) are explored using both statistical and spatial analysis techniques. Preliminary data analyses show negative correlation of pH and TP mean concentrations with average slope and forest area and positive correlation with military land use percentage and road and stream lengths. Wetland area had little impact on the pH, TKN, TOC, and TSS concentrations. However, mean chloride concentration show a significant correlation with wetland area. Chloride, TP, and TSS exhibit poor correlation with military land use.