Department of Earth and Environmental Science

Frederick N Scatena

Instream-flows and the management of aquatic ecosystems

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Diverting stream water and building dams can change the amount and frequency of stream flow, water quality, and the abundance and diversity of aquatic resources. Determining how much stream water can be removed from a system while sustaining these resources has been a major water management issue for decades. This is especially true in the humid tropics where water diversions are increasing at unprecedented rates. This research focus integrates hydrology, geomorphology, and ecology to develop the scientific basis for managing aquatic resources in order to meet the needs of users while minimizing both operating costs and adverse environmental effects. Recent publications in this area include:

Recent Publications

Blanco J.F., Scatena F.N., 2006. Hierarchical contribution of river-connectivity, water chemistry, hydraulics, and substrate to the distribution of diadromous snails in Puerto Rican Streams. J.N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 2006. 25(1):82-98

Blanco J.F., Scatena F.N., 2005. Floods, Habitat Hydraulics and Upstream Migration of Neritina virginea (Gastropoda:Neritodae) in Northeastern Puerto Rico). Caribbean Journal of Science, Vol. 41, No. 1:55-74

Scatena F.N. 2004. A survey of methods for setting minimum instream flows standards in the Caribbean Basin. River Research and Applications Vol 20: 127-135

Ortiz-Zayas J.R., Scatena F.N., 2004 Integrated Water Resources Management in the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico: An Evolving Process. International Journal of Water Resources Development Vol. 20 No. 3, 387-398 September 2004

Scatena F.N., 2001. Ecological rhythms and the management of humid tropical forests: Examples from the Caribbean National Forest, Puerto Rico. Forest Ecology and Management 5528:1-12

Scatena F.N., Johnson S.L., 2001 Instream-Flow Analysis for the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico: Methods and Analysis. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report IITF-GTR-11; 30 pages

Pringle C.M., Scatena F.N., Paaby-Hansen P., Nunez-Ferrera M., 2000. River conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean. Chapter 2 pages 41-78. In P.J. Boon, B. Davies, G.C. Peets editors. Global perspectives on river conservation: Science, Policy and Practice. John Wiley and Sons LTD England

Scatena F.N., 2000. Drinking Water Quality. Chapter 2, p 7-25. In Drinking Water from Forest and Grasslands–A Synthesis of the Scientific Literature, G. E. Dissmeyer. Editor. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report SRS-39.