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.