Effects of Urban Development on Stream Ecosystems

Jerry McMahon, a team leader at the U.S. Geological Survey, discusses the effects of urban development on stream ecosystems. Stream ecosystems are complex and include the stream, its organisms, and surrounding lands. Urban development impacts these ecosystems by altering hydrology, habitat, and water quality, leading to pollution and erosion. The U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Quality Assessment Program studied these effects in 10 U.S. metropolitan areas, finding significant impacts on biological communities. The study highlights the need for cautious urban development and region-specific management strategies. For more information, visit the project website.

Who is the speaker in the video?

• Michael Brown

• John Smith

• Alice Johnson

• Jerry McMahon

What components are included in a stream ecosystem?

• Only the water

• Only the stream banks

• The stream, organisms, and surrounding lands

• Only the stream channel

What are some visible signs of urban development on streams?

• Clear water and healthy fish

• Decreased water flow

• Trash in tree branches and algae mats

• Increased vegetation

How does urban development affect stream hydrology?

• Increases storm water runoff

• Decreases erosion

• Increases infiltration of precipitation

• Decreases storm water runoff

What are common sources of pollution in urban streams?

• Animal wastes

• Fertilizers and pesticides

• All of the above

• Automobile fluids

What has the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Quality Assessment Program studied over the last 10 years?

• Effects of agriculture on streams

• Effects of urban development on stream ecosystems

• Effects of climate change on streams

• Effects of deforestation on streams

Which study areas did not show a substantial decline in species richness?

• San Francisco, Houston, and Atlanta

• Miami, Seattle, and Boston

• New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago

• Denver, Dallas, and Milwaukee

What types of land cover may mask or escalate the influence of urban development on streams?

• Desert and tundra

• Agricultural and forested lands

• Wetlands and grasslands

• Urban and suburban areas

What should be exercised when thinking about a safe zone of urban development?

• Optimism

• Indifference

• Caution

• Aggressiveness

Why might management strategies to protect urban streams vary across regions?

• Some regions have no streams

• Streams in different regions respond differently to urban development

• Urban development is not present in all regions

• Different regions have different types of streams