Special sessions
In addition to the concurrent sessions of contributed papers, 9 Special Sessions are
scheduled so far. Presentations in some Special Sessions are by invitation only, but
others organizers are seeking contributed papers. In addition, space has been reserved in
the Poster Session for posters associated with particular Special Sessions. Contact the
organizers for more information on any of the sessions. Abstracts for special sessions
MUST be entered through the web system using the same instructions as for abstracts for
contributed sessions by the regular abstract deadline (January 7, 2002). Please also send
a copy of your abstract to the session organizer. If you want to organize a Special
Session there is still some space in the program. The 2002 NABS Program Committee welcomes
late requests for Special Sessions and will accommodate your request if possible. Requests
to organize Special Session must be received no later than December 1, 2001.
Contact: Joe Balczon, Special Sessions Coordinator e-mail: balczojm@westminster.edu Telephone: (724)
946-7215
1. Odonate Ecology and Evolution
At five-year intervals since Ann Arbor in 1982, Dan Johnson has organized a special
session for NABS meetings to highlight recent research on ecology and evolution of
damselflies and dragonflies (Odonata). For Pittsburgh in 2002, this "tradition"
will continue, with 14 presentations by a mixture of mature scientists, recent PhDs, and
current graduate students. Topics will range from behavior to phylogenetics, and from
life-history theory to practical conservation biology. Most papers will focus on odonate
larvae, but a few will focus on adults. This should provide a good overview of
contemporary research on an important component of freshwater benthic communities.
Organizer: Dan Johnson e-mail: johnsodm@ACCESS.ETSU.EDU
Telephone: 423-439-6919
2. Ecology and systematics of Chironomidae
Contact the organizer for more information about this special session.
Organizer: Len Ferrington e-mail: ferri016@tc.umn.edu
Telephone: 612-624-3265
3. The ecological functions of intermittent streams
Small streams, including intermittent systems, make up the majority of our aquatic
resources. These small streams have maximum interface with the terrestrial environment
implying an important ecological role. However, recent legal actions have suggested that
intermittent streams are of limited ecological function. Management and protection of
intermittent stream systems are issues being considered by many regulatory agencies.
Therefore, the regulation and use of intermittent streams have become a very controversial
political issue. Invited speakers in this session will present basic information about the
ecological functions and values of intermittent stream systems. For those who are
interested, a field trip has been scheduled for later in the week to provide an
opportunity to visit intermittent streams in the Pittsburgh area.
Organizer: Dave Penrose e-mail: dave.penrose@ncmail.net
Telephone: 919-733-9502
4. Expanding the prey base: terrestrial v. instream invertebrates in diets of stream
predators
Contributions of terrestrial riparian invertebrates to stream food webs have been shown
to be important components of predator's diets, but little is known about these dynamics
in most ecosystems. In this session, results from recent studies examining vertebrate and
invertebrate predation on terrestrial and instream prey will be presented. Many factors
can influence prey selection, including riparian condition, stream order, diel
fluctuations and species-specific behavior, and the importance of these factors will be
examined for a variety of ecosystems. Differences in availability and delectability of
terrestrial vs stream invertebrates will be considered.
Organizers: Sherri Johnson Judy Li e-mail: johnsons@fsl.orst.edu
Judith.Li@orst.edu Telephone: 541 758
7771 541 737 1093
5. Population Distribution: Studies of Dispersal, Behaviour, and Genetics
Recent studies of population distributions have begun to incorporate aspects of
dispersal, behavior, and population dynamics. In addition, population genetics is
increasingly being used to study these processes. Genetic studies indicate that dispersal
ability, behaviour, and population history all influence population structure and
distribution. Hypotheses that have arisen include (1) populations are founded by only a
few females, and (2) historical levels of gene flow are responsible for present-day
population genetic structure. The aim of the session is to bring together workers in the
field to examine how mechanisms of dispersal, population dynamics, and behavior affect
population distribution. Submission of contributed papers to this session is encouraged.
Organizers: Christopher T. Robinson Michael T. Monaghan e-mail: Robinson@eawag.ch Monaghan@eawag.ch Telephone: 041-01-823-5317
041-01-823-5317
6. Understanding and controlling bioassessment data variability
Several organizations in the U.S. and elsewhere (including USEPA, US Geological Survey,
Water Environment Federation, Environment Canada, the U.S. Methods and Data Comparability
Board and its parent organization, National Water Quality Monitoring Council, have
indicated increasing interest in identifying and documenting performance characteristics
of biological assessment methods (e.g., precision, sensitivity, reliability) and
comparability of assessment methods. Invited participants will present recent information
on sampling/subsampling issues and analysis methods, from a variety of regions/settings,
with the focus being issues and tools that evaluate the relative sensitivity and
reliability of bioassessment methods. Some specific questions that will be discussed
include: How do you know when it's appropriate to use someone else's data for your
purposes? How is bioassessment comparability defined? Are there (should there) be data
quality objectives for EPA's 305(b) state monitoring program (and other regional or
national monitoring programs)? Are we in a position to recommend specific data quality
objectives given certain project goals? How does bioassessment performance vary with the
level of taxonomy or subsampling technique used? What performance characteristics (e.g.,
precision, selectivity, bias, sensitivity) have been described for biosassessment methods
and how were they measured? Are there general "rules" or recommendations that
appropriately define how certain performance measures should be documented? Can
"accuracy" of a bioassessment be objectively defined and documented? Do we need
to evaluate bioassessment accuracy?
Organizer: Jerry Diamond e-mail: jerry.diamond@tetratech.com
Telephone: 410-356-8993
7. Restoration of aquatic ecosystems
Evaluation is a critical aspect of stream restoration because it can guide planning
efforts, determine if project goals are met, explain unexpected changes, and provide
feedback for adaptive management decisions. However, little conceptual guidance is
available for planning restoration programs. Invited presentations will address conceptual
issues (e.g., developing success criteria, what to measure) and present case studies of
stream restoration evaluation. Submission of contributed papers to this session or to a
poster session on restoration is also encouraged.
Organizers: David Anderson Dave Penrose e-mail: dander@sfwmd.gov
dave.penrose@ncmail.net
Telephone: 561-682-6717 919-733-9502
8. Diagnosing Causes of Biological Impairment
Identifying the cause or causes responsible for effects is the key for discovering the
means by which we can change and improve our environment. In aquatic systems, the need for
causal evaluation has accompanied the increased application of biological assessment
methods in monitoring ecological condition. Although they are critical tools for detecting
whether effects are occurring, biological monitoring data do not identify the cause of the
observed effects. Invited talks will present papers that use characteristics of organisms
and assemblages (community patterns, physiological responses) to diagnose the causes of
effects. Submission of contributed papers to this session is also encouraged.
Organizer: Sue Norton e-mail: norton.susan@epa.gov
Telephone: 202-564-3246
9. Opportunities to incorporate science in freshwater conservation advocacy: the NGO
perspective
As the area of freshwater conservation grows, so does the need for the infusion of the
"best science" into the science advocacy process. Nongovernment organizations
(NGOs) increasingly rely on conclusions drawn from the results of scientific research to
frame strong arguments for advocacy positions in freshwater conservation. The
opportunities for aquatic scientists to contribute to this arena are often not well
understood by the academic scientific community. In this Special Session, invited
representatives from leading NGOs will speak to the need for the more active engagement of
highly trained aquatic scientists in the science advocacy process, both currently and in
the future. The Conservation and Environmental Issues Committee of NABS has organized this
symposium in response to member interest in forging stronger connections between the
society and NGO professionals, who typically interact more directly and regularly with the
public than do academics.
Organizer: LeRoy Poff E-mail: poff@lamar.colostate.edu
Telephone: 970-491-2079
10. Current and Future Approaches for Using Benthic Algae to Monitor and Assess
Aquatic Ecosystems
Benthic algae possess many attributes that make them ideal organisms to employ in water
quality investigations. They are ubiquitous, ecologically important, sensitive to a broad
range of stressors and respond rapidly to changes in water chemistry. Bioassessment
methods based on these organisms are evolving, and are implemented in routine monitoring
programmes in several countries and are being explored in others. In this session, we will
have presentations by speakers with diverse experience in benthic algal research, with
particular interests in applications for bioassessment. Our intent is to provide a
synthesis of current research and new approaches for benthic algal bioassessment, and to
generate ideas for future research. Submission of contributed papers is encouraged.
Organizers: Jenny Winter winterje@ene.gov.on.ca
Telephone: 416-327-3715 and Jan Stevenson rjstev@msu.edu Telephone: 517-432-8083
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