In 1999, Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System engaged operators of small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) in the control of runoff from urban areas.  The complex task of urban runoff mitigation has been investigated for several decades, resulting in a large variety of available computing and measurement tools for urban stormwater management.  Unfortunately, these tools may not be available to the MS4 operator in a format that is both concise, and directly applicable.  To address this need, this thesis recommends stormwater model creation and refinement strategies for Phase II MS4s using GIS and Python scripting.  Further recommendations on using a popular discharge measurement technique for model calibration are provided.  This workflow is then demonstrated in a watershed in Blacksburg, Virginia, where a unique MS4 permitting partnership allowed the development of these tools.  Finally, further improvements to the workflow are suggested along with ideas for additional research for stormwater management in Phase II MS4s. / Master of Science

Forest fragmentation is a ubiquitous consequence of anthropogenic land-use change, yet its effects on ecosystem processes and biogenic carbon (C) cycling remain unclear, especially belowground. Forest edges, or the boundary of forest and non-forest land cover, experience altered environmental conditions that affect soil biogeochemical cycling and microbial communities. Urbanization can further alter forest soil dynamics and may interact with perturbations at the forest edge in complex, nonlinear ways. Though soils comprise over 40 % of the global forest C sink, the net effects of interacting global change drivers (e.g., rising temperatures, fragmentation, urbanization) are largely unknown, introducing large uncertainties into estimates of soil C fluxes and our understanding of soil ecology. I co-designed and implemented an observational field campaign of forest edges along an urbanization gradient in Massachusetts to characterize soil C cycling and its drivers from the forest edge to the interior. I use field measurements of soil temperature, moisture and C efflux as CO2, or soil respiration, to find diverging trends in soil C losses at urban and rural forest edges. I find that urban soil respiration rates are less sensitive to rising temperatures than rural soils and that urban edges are even less sensitive than their interior counterparts. I then perform a holistic characterization of soil properties and microbial activity to explore the effects of multiple, simultaneous environmental perturbations on forest edge soils. I report that soil C content does not reflect diverging trends in soil C efflux between rural and urban sites and, instead, is generally lower at the forest edge, suggesting a decoupling between edge soil C pools and fluxes. I also report that soil properties often mediated by human activity, such as pH, temperature, and trace element concentrations, broadly predict soil C dynamics from edge to interior across the urbanization gradient. Finally, I conduct a meta-analysis of published studies on forest edge soil C cycling and its drivers and interpret the findings through a lens of broader global change. I demonstrate that soil conditions converge at the forest edge across the globe, where soils are hotter, drier, and less acidic than the forest interior. I find limited investigation of soil C fluxes and substantial variability in edge soil C stocks, and I conclude that forest edges are not direct analogs for global change experiments. My dissertation demonstrates that soil C cycling is significantly altered by both forest fragmentation and urbanization. I highlight the need for further study both in situ at the forest edge and through multi-factor manipulation experiments to improve our understanding of an increasingly fragmented and urbanized forest landscape.

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We live in an increasingly urban world and ecologists are being called upon to provide thorough information on the effect of urbanization on ecosystems. However, urban ecology has historically focused almost exclusively on describing changes in species richness. Although this has been important as a first characterization of the effect of urbanization, the focus on describing species richness has restricted our understanding of the mechanisms determining ecological patterns and processes in cities. In this thesis, I apply a trait-based approach to a widespread urban invasive species, the guppy, Poecilia reticulata, in order to explore the mechanisms through which urbanization can affect reproductive and feeding ecology traits of the stream biota. I first review studies that use trait-based approaches in stream ecosystems and develop an intraspecific trait framework that can be used to link urbanization to changes in traits of the stream biota. Then, I combine this framework with existing information on trait evolution of guppies in their non-urban, native range in Trinidad, to explore the effect of urbanization on guppy life history related traits and population density in Brazil. Next, building on a study of drivers of diet and trophic morphology in Trinidadian guppies, I use a trait-based framework to explore the effect of urbanization on guppy diet and feeding morphology in Brazil. My review shows that intraspecific trait approaches in urban streams are rare, but have the potential to provide a mechanistic understanding of the effects of urbanization on stream biota. By using an intraspecific trait approach, I show that urbanization increases guppy body length, increases fecundity and improves condition. Concurrent investment in reproduction and somatic tissues suggests that urbanization relaxes life history traits trade-offs in guppies. Urban guppies also attain far higher densities than non-urban guppies. These changes in traits and populations are related to the large amount of high-quality food (i.e. chironomids) available for guppies in urban streams. Urban-induced changes in traits enhance guppy invasive potential. By studying guppies in Trinidad, I have found that each population is composed of two resource-use phenotypes with distinct diets and gut morphology (carnivorous guppies with short guts and detritivorous/algivorous guppies with long guts). The frequency of each resource-use phenotype appears to be determined by guppy density: low density appears to increase the frequency of the carnivorous phenotype. Guppy populations in Brazil are also composed of two resource-use phenotypes, and the existence of these phenotypes is related to the variation in individual feeding morphology (i.e. cranium shape) that affect feeding efficiency. Neither density nor urbanization appears to shift the distribution of the two resource use phenotypes. However, urban guppies have larger and wider crania, thus a more efficient insect feeding morphology, than non-urban guppies. Overall my study suggests that consumption of chironomids is important for the success of guppies in urban streams, and it is possible that similar mechanism also facilitates the success of other urban dwellers. My study also highlights the power of intraspecific trait approaches for understanding the ecology urban dwellers. Such knowledge can help us refine and advance ecological theories to better predict future ecological change in an increasingly urbanized world. / Graduate / 2020-08-08

As urbanization spreads, understanding its impact on wildlife is increasingly urgent. By comparing the traits and fitness of individuals within the same species found in both urban and rural habitats (urban adapters), we can better understand the behavioral and physiological coping mechanisms wild birds employ in the face of rapid environmental change. For my dissertation, I investigated the physiological, behavioral, and fitness differences between urban and rural living song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) to explore how song sparrows are adjusting to urban environments. In my first chapter, I investigated urban birds' termination of the glucocorticoid stress response by looking at their ability to reduce circulating levels of glucocorticoid 'stress' hormones and the relative abundance of receptors that provide negative feedback in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. I found that urban males have a lower relative abundance of glucocorticoid receptors and the enzyme 11β-HSD2 in the hippocampus compered too rural, though we found no difference in negative feedback at the periphery, as both urban and rural song sparrows responded similarly to a challenge with synthetic glucocorticoid (dexamethasone). In chapter 2, I asked if increased aggression, which has been rigorously documented in urban males, is also expressed by females, and whether this aggressive signaling is constraining other reproductive behaviors such as maternal care. Indeed, female song sparrows, like males, expressed increased aggressive signaling compared to rural, suggesting urban habitats may favor a more aggressive phenotype. Finally, in Chapter 3, I investigated the consequences of increased male aggression on their social partners and offspring by measuring parental care and nestling outcomes across urban and rural habits. I was unable to establish a trade-off between parental care and aggression in either sex, suggesting this increased aggression is not constraining other reproductive behaviors. In fact, the more aggressive urban males visited the nest significantly more frequently, a trend also seen in urban females during the daylight hours, though the relationship was not significant over a 24-hour period. Additionally, urban birds had significantly higher reproductive metrics compared to rural, though they also had the added cost of increase brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) compared to rural. Overall increased urban aggression was associated with higher reproductive success without any reduction in paternal care. Additionally, we found physiological differences in the glucocorticoid stress response system associated with the differences in habitat but whether theses differences represent mechanisms of acclimation or potential costs of living in urban habitats is not yet clear. / Doctor of Philosophy / As urbanization spreads, understanding its impacts on wild bird conservation is increasingly urgent. By comparing the behaviors and reproductive success of animals living in urban and rural habitats (urban adapters), we can better understand the coping mechanisms wild birds' employ in the face of this form of rapid environmental change. In my dissertation, I compared the physiology, behavior, and reproductive success of urban and rural song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) to explore the changes song sparrows make to survive and reproduce in urban environments. In my first chapter, I investigated how urban birds terminate their stress response by looking at their ability to reduce circulating levels of stress hormones and the relative abundance of "shut down" targets in the brain. In chapter 2, I asked if increased aggression, regularly document in urban males, is also expressed by females, and whether this aggression is constraining other reproductive behaviors. Finally, in Chapter 3, I investigated the consequences of increased male aggression on their social partners and offspring by measuring parental care and nestling outcomes across urban and rural habits. I found that urban males have a lower relative abundance of one type of "shut down" target, and a lower abundance of a potentially protective enzyme in the hippocampus, though we found no difference in how quickly urban and rural birds cleared stress hormone from their blood. Female song sparrows, like males, expressed increased aggressive signaling compared to rural, suggesting urban habitats may favor a more aggressive pattern of behavior. However, I was unable to establish a trade-off between parental care and aggression in either sex, suggesting increased aggression is not constraining other reproductive behaviors. In fact, the more aggressive urban males visited the nest significantly more often, a trend also seen in urban females during the daylight hours, though the relationship was not significant over a 24-hour period. Additionally, urban birds had significantly higher reproductive metrics compared to rural, though they also had the added energetic cost of increased brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), compared to rural. Collectively, my results suggest that individuals of this species, the song sparrow, may benefit from livening in low intensity urban habitats and that living in such altered environments favors or permits higher aggression.

Trout are an important game species that provide a substantial economic impact in Virginia. Along with other cold-water fish species, trout are extremely susceptible to changes in stream temperatures. Urban development and the increase in impervious surfaces alter the hydrologic cycle in urban watersheds, limiting infiltration and increasing surface runoff. Impervious surfaces absorb and store solar radiation, resulting in higher surfaces temperatures, and then transfer this thermal energy to runoff during a rainfall event, resulting in higher runoff temperatures. Bioretention cells are a common stormwater control practice identified as a possible thermal mitigation practice in urban watersheds harboring cold-water fish species. However, design specifications vary by locality and few studies have explored how design characteristics impact the temperature reduction potential. The goal of this study was to investigate changes in stormwater thermal load due to bioretention cells. In this study two bioretention cells with differing design approaches were monitored to quantify the thermal reduction impact that the bioretention cells have on stormwater from impervious surfaces. Both cells significantly reduced stormwater outflow volume, event mean temperatures and heat loads; however, outflow temperatures repeatedly exceeded the 21°C temperature threshold for cold-water fish species. This finding indicates this practice alone may not be sufficient to reduce runoff temperatures below biological stress thresholds. In addition, previous literature suggested that deeper cells may provide more cooling benefits as deeper soil layers are cooler and have more stable temperatures. In this study, the deeper cell was not as effective in reducing runoff temperatures, likely due to surface overflow and a shorter residence time in the bioretention cell. This finding indicates there is a limit to the effectiveness of cell depth in runoff thermal reduction and that other cell characteristics, such as subsurface drainage system length, may play an important role in runoff temperature reduction. / Master of Science / Cold-water fish species such as trout are a game species of large economic value that are very susceptible to changes in water temperature. Due to warmer runoff temperatures from urban watersheds stream temperatures are increasing, posing a potential impact on the cold-water fish found in these watersheds. Bioretention cells are a common method for treating and reducing pollutants from stormwater in urban areas. Recently, research has focused on the potential of bioretention cells to reduce runoff temperatures in urban watersheds. However, research is limited and does not fully address the bioretention design characteristics that may be beneficial for reducing runoff temperatures. In this study two bioretention with differing design approaches were monitored during summer months to quantify and assess the potential for runoff temperature reduction. Both cells reduced runoff volume, temperature, and overall heat energy leaving the cell. However, outflow temperatures were typically above the stress temperature threshold for many cold-water fish species, indicating that this practice may reduce runoff temperatures to a level that will not stress these fish species. Previous research has suggested that deeper cells may provide more cooling benefits as deeper soil layers are experience cooler and more stable temperatures. In this study, the deeper cell was not as effective in reducing runoff temperatures as the shallow cell with a greater overall volume. This finding suggests that there is a limit to the effectiveness of deeper cells and that other cell characteristics, such as cell volume, play an important role in runoff temperature reduction.

Urbanization is the process of limitless expansion of that which is urban, the built essentials that constitutes a civilization, beyond the limits of what can be recognized as the city. Infrastructure is the method by which urbanization is possible. Certain infrastructure has created residual spaces where urbanization does not occur. There is an opportunity for architecture to employ elements of the specific city as well as elements of the local urbanized area as a means to separate from and confront the infrastructural and urban conditions surrounding these residual sites. / Master of Architecture

As the world's population shifts toward living in cities, urbanization and its deleterious effects on the environment are a cause of increasing concern. The hyporheic zone is an important part of stream ecosystems, and here we focus on the effect of urbanization on the hyporheic zone from ten first-to-second-order streams within the Virginia Piedmont. We use sediment hydraulic conductivity and stream geomorphic complexity (vertical undulation of thalweg, channel sinuosity) as metrics of the potential for hyporheic exchange (hyporheic potential). Our results include bivariate plots that relate urbanization (e.g., total percent impervious) with hyporheic potential at several spatial scales. For example, at the watershed level, we observed a decrease in horizontal hydraulic conductivity with urbanization and an increase in vertical hydraulic conductivity, which ultimately results in a negligible trend from conflicting processes. Vertical geomorphic complexity increased with total percent impervious cover. This trend was somewhat unexpected and may be due to erosion of legacy sediment in stream banks. At the reach level, hydraulic conductivity increased and sinuosity decreased as the riparian buffer width increased; these trends are weak and are essentially negligible. The hydraulic conductivity results conform to expected trends and are a product of aforementioned concomitant processes. Our results emphasize the complexity of hydrologic and geomorphic processes occurring in urban stream systems at multiple scales. Overall, the watershed level effects enhancing hyporheic exchange, which is contrary to expectations. Given the importance of hyporheic exchange to stream function, further study is warranted to better understand the effects of urbanization. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Asian Studies / Master / Master of Arts