PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL & BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF SURFACE WATERS IN MONTEVERDE, COSTA RICA Monteverde Adopt-A-Stream Program 2009-2010 Annual

Technical Report

Bethany Elmore MAASP Assistant auq@mvinstitute.org Justin Welch IWRP Coordinator jcwelch@mvinstitute.org Monteverde Institute 29 JULY 2010

Table of Contents Executive Summary 1. Introduction 1.1 Background 1.2 Site Locations & Participant Groups 2. Physical, Chemical & Biological Parameters 2.1 Temperature 2.2 Dissolved Oxygen 2.3 pH 2.4 Turbidity 2.5 Conductivity 2.6 Nitrates 2.7 Phosphates 2.8 Stream Discharge 2.9 Macroinvertebrates 3. Methods & Materials 3.1 Chemical Sampling 3.2 Physical Sampling 3.3 Biological Sampling 4. Summary of Annual Data References Appendix 1. Monthly Data Appendix 2. Monthly Biological Summary Appendix 3. Decree N 33903-MINAET iii 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 15 16 20 24

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Executive Summary The Monteverde Adopt-A Stream Program (MAASP) is a community-oriented initiative of the Monteverde Institutes Integrated Water Resources Program, which seeks to monitor the longterm health of local streams and involve students in a hands-on learning experience that contributes to the understanding and protection of community water resources. Each month, physical, chemical and biological data are collected from selected headwater streams of the Ro Guacimal watershed: Quebrada Cuecha, Quebrada Sucia, and Quebrada Rodriguez. During the 2009-2010 monitoring cycle, the MAASP involved 4 student groups who each month measured temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, conductivity, nitrates, phosphates, and stream discharge at separate up- and downstream sites. Participants principally used Vernier LabQuest sensors and probes to collect data according to protocols specified by the international GLOBE Program (www.globe.gov). Phosphate concentrations were measured with a LaMotte GREEN TesTabs kit. Every three months, participants sampled for aquatic macroinvertebrates in order to compare abundance and diversity. Macroinvertebrates were sampled according to the protocol described by Laidlaw in her Adopt-A-Stream manual (http://www.rivercenter.uga.edu/ international/wfl/manual_english.htm). Data collection was sporadic at some sites due to variable academic schedules as well as the introduction of GLOBE protocols and new Vernier equipment in August of 2009. As such, August to December, 2009 was considered a trial period and a normal sampling schedule was followed between February and May, 2010.

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1. Introduction 1.1 Background Monteverde is located along the leeward slope of the continental divide in the Tilarn mountain range of northwest Costa Rica. It is famous internationally for extensive cloud forest reserves, which are important locally due to their location at the head of several large watersheds, including that of the Ro Guacimal. These watersheds support multiple use types such as community drinking water, hydro-electricity, agricultural production, and natural habitat. Whats more, the mixed regional economy of agriculture, services and tourism creates unique challenges for managing the quantity and quality of local water resources (Welch, 2008). The Monteverde Adopt-A Stream Program (MAASP) is a community-oriented initiative of the Monteverde Institutes Integrated Water Resources Program, which seeks to monitor the longterm health of local streams and involve students in hands-on learning. The MAASP actively works with 4 local high schools and a co-ed scouts group in order to monitor the physical, chemical and biological conditions of headwater streams in the Upper Ro Guacimal watershed. Monitoring sites are located within completely forested to heavily urbanized catchments throughout the Monteverde area in order to provide comparisons between natural conditions and those affected by human activity. In each stream, data is collected from an up- and downstream site in order to provide comparisons within individual stream continuums. Data is collected monthly throughout the year in order to allow temporal comparisons between seasons and years. Monteverde is considered to be a tropical montane cloud forest; a relatively altitudinal zone with frequent cloud cover during much of the year (Clark, Lawton, Nadkarni, Wheelwright, 2000). This type of forest is one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. The frequent wind-driven mist and fog in this ecosystem makes it a very valuable resource and gives it an important role in the hydrological process that is unlike other forest types. Local climate in Monteverde is divided in three distinct seasons. The wet season lasts from May through October and is characterized by convective precipitation that arrives in the form of cumulus clouds and rain on most afternoons lasting through the early evening. The transitional season generally lasts from November to January and can be characterized by wind driven precipitation in the form of mist and horizontal light rains that last day and night. The dry season is from February to April and is mostly characterized by wind driven mist and cloud water that blow through mostly at night (Clark et al., 2000). Rainfall is heaviest during June, and September-October when the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is directly above Costa Rica. As the ITCZ migrates south, northwestern trade winds from the Caribbean Sea bring moisture to the region (Clark et al., 2000). From 2000 to 2003, students and researchers from Smith College (Northampton, Massachusetts, USA) conducted similar studies of water quality in the Rio Guacimal watershed, focusing on the ion chemistry of headwater streams (Rhodes et al., in press). Throughout this three year period, they collected a total of 432 water samples from eight different sites along five different streams. Of those eight sites, two are shared with our current Adopt-A-Stream Program, along the Quebrada Cuecha (the QC1 and QC2). We also have a similar site along the Quebrada Sucia (QS1) (Rhodes et al., in press).

1.2 Site Locations & Participant Groups The Junior Rangers (JR) is a co-ed scout group with participants from elementary to high school ages. The older Rangers have a monitoring site (QC-1) located in the headwaters of the Quebrada Cuecha, 200 meters behind the Tropical Science Center Laboratory, located within the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This location demonstrates the most natural conditions among all sampling sites as it drains both primary and secondary protected forests. The Monteverde Friends School (MFS) is a private bi-lingual high school in the area. Their monitoring site (QC-2) is located on the Quebrada Cuecha, 50 meters downstream of the bridge by the Cheese Factory. The Q. Cuecha flows through several agricultural and commercial areas along the outskirts of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The Escuela Creativa (CEC) is another private bi-lingual school with an emphasis on environmental studies in their curriculum. Their monitoring site (QS-1) is located in the Quebrada Sucia, 50 meters downstream of the Art House, upstream of a dense residential area. The Adventist School (EA) is the smallest private school in the region. Their monitoring site (QS-2) is located on the Quebrada Sucia, 50 meters east of the Zamora bus garage, downstream of a residential area. Sampling at this site was also supported by students at the CEC between February and May, 2010. The Santa Elena Technical College (CTPSE) is the only public high school in the Monteverde area. They have two stream sites which are located within the Quebrada Rodriguez. The first site (QR-1) is located 50 meters behind the soda in front of the CTPSE. The second site (QR-2) is located across the street from the Trio restaurant. This catchment is located near downtown Santa Elena and is one of the most urbanized of the region. The stream flows through both residential and commercial areas that exhibit significant development along the stream edge as well as a high concentration of impervious surfaces.

Stream Site Altitude Longitude Latitude Q. Cuecha Upper 1460m 10.305N 084.796W Q. Cuecha Lower 1346m 10.305N 084.809W Q. Sucia Upper 1374m 10.315N 084.816W Q. Sucia Lower 1307m 10.314N 084.821W Q. Rodriguez 1347m 10.318N 084.825W Upper QR-2 CTSE2 Q. Rodriguez 1351m 10.319N 084.823W Lower Table 1. Monteverde Adopt-A-Stream Program site codes and geographic information. (*See Figure 1 below)

Site Code QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1

Group Name JR MFS CEC EA CTSE1

2. Physical, Chemical, & Biological Parameters 2.1 Temperature Water temperature plays a vital role in aquatic environments. An increase can affect the sensitivity of organisms to toxic wastes, parasites, and disease by lowering their defenses (Laidlaw, 1996). As a further complication to lowered defenses, warmer waters permit higher bacterial counts (Southwest). An increase in temperature also lowers the reproductive and metabolic rates of aquatic organisms. (Laidlaw, 1996) Water temperature is an important factor for the photosynthetic rate of plants and the amount of dissolved oxygen available to organisms. As water warms it is able to hold more dissolved solids, but less dissolved gases, like oxygen. (Southwest)

Figure 1. Map of Monteverde Adopt-A-Stream Program sites (modified from King, 2004). 3

2.2 Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved oxygen is the most important environmental factor for the survival, growth, and reproduction of aquatic organisms (Laidlaw, 1996) as it is essential for their respiration. Dissolved oxygen comes from the atmosphere or as a byproduct of photosynthesis from aquatic plants, algae, and phytoplankton. Oxygen dissolves slowly into the water until it becomes saturated and is then distributed by movement which can be amplified by wind and turbulence. The amount of DO required to support aquatic life depends on the species and also an organisms stage of life (LaMotte). Dissolved oxygen can decrease as a result of elevated organic pollution from sewage or large amounts of decomposing organic matter in the stream (LaMotte). This decrease is a result of aerobic bacterial activity which can rapidly consume available oxygen within the water. Furthermore, changes in air and water temperature can create fluctuations in percent saturation of DO throughout the day. (Southwest) 2.3 pH The pH indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions found in water and is one of the most commonly used analyses in water quality testing. (LaMotte) This factor is important due to its profound influence on chemical reactions both within the water body and the physiological processes of the organisms living there. It is measured on a scale from 0 (extremely acidic) to 14 (extremely basic), with 7 being considered neutral. A pH range of 6.5 to 8.5 is considered optimal for most organisms. (Lamotte) An increase in waters pH can be caused when rapidly growing algae and vegetation start to remove CO2 from water during the process of photosynthesis. (LaMotte) A decrease in waters pH can be attributed to automobile emissions, volcanic activity or acidic rain. When the pH becomes too acidic it has a detrimental affect on aquatic organisms, especially invertebrates and can affect the embryonic development of fish. (Laidlaw, 1996) 2.4 Turbidity Turbidity is the measure of water clarity and is a good indicator of water quality. Turbidity can be affected by the presence of particles suspended in the water column, such as phytoplankton, algae growth, and/or sediments which come from soil erosion, urban runoff or wastewater discharges, as well as re-suspended sediments from the bottom surface of a stream when disturbed. (LaMotte) Turbidity causes water to appear cloudy when light reflects off of the solid particles found in a body of water. Observers need to be careful not to confuse this cloudiness with the color of water as dark or brackish water can actually have a low turbidity reading. (Laidlaw, 1996) Water turbidity is important because it can cause detrimental effects on a streams ecosystem. As the turbidity increases, the suspended particles absorb the heat from the sun, thus increasing water temperature which in turn reduces dissolved oxygen levels. As the particles scatter the light, preventing it from reaching deeper plants, photosynthetic activity is decreased which causes them to die off, further lowering already reduced oxygen levels. (Laidlaw, 1996; Southwest)

2.5 Conductivity Conductivity demonstrates the concentration of total dissolved solids (ions) in a sample of water based on how easily an electrical current can flow through water. A high conductivity reading signifies the presence of more dissolved solids. This is due to the fact that as the solids dissolve they become charged ions which help to conduct an electrical current through the water column. (Laidlaw, 1996) 2.6 Nitrates Nitrogen can be found in a body of water in three forms, nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO4), and ammonia (NH3). The MAASP focuses on nitrates, which commonly originate from organic wastes (i.e., wastewater discharge, improperly functioning septic tanks and runoff from animal operations) as well as agricultural fertilizers. (Laidlaw, 1996) Just as in a terrestrial system, nitrates can act as a fertilizer within aquatic ecosystems, causing elevated aquatic plant and algal growth. Furthermore, extremely elevated levels of nitrogen in drinking water can reduce the bodys ability to carry oxygen in the blood, a condition called methemoglobinemia (LaMotte). 2.7 Phosphates Phosphate (PO4) is a form of phosphorous that can originate from human, animal, and industrial wastes. Over half of the phosphates found in water come from household detergents. (LaMotte) Like nitrates, phosphates also act as a fertilizer for aquatic plants. Phosphorous is often referred to as a limiting factor of organism growth in aquatic systems and is naturally found in low concentrations (Laidlaw, 1996). It is an essential nutrient for aquatic plant growth and metabolic reactions in both plants and animals (Laidlaw, 1996). Free phosphates are used up quickly by algae and large aquatic plants or become bound to soil particles rendering it useless except to those plants rooted in the soil (Laidlaw, 1996). Although not harmful in very low levels, an excess of phosphates can cause eutrophication, excessive nutrient loading (Laidlaw, 1996). In turn, this can lead to algal blooms, anoxic conditions and red tides, which can result in the die off of fish and aquatic organisms. 2.8 Stream Discharge Stream discharge is the volumetric measure of water flowing in a stream at a given point in time (usually displayed in cubic feet or cubic meters per second). This volumetric rate is important for understanding the capacity of a stream to dilute contaminates, supply withdrawals for human activities and maintain the natural processes of the environment. 2.9 Macroinvertebrates Macroinvertebrates found in streams are often in the immature aquatic stage of an insects life. They usually live on submerged material, such as rocks, logs, or leaf packs, or on a streams bottom substrate. In theory, certain groups and orders are more sensitive to water quality and habitat conditions, enabling the analysis of ecological health based on the composition of individuals within a sample (LaMotte). Whats more, macroinvertebrates are present in the water body over an extended period of time, thus providing a better indication of long-term stream health than chemical samples, which are only indicative of water quality at a given moment in time. 5

Due to the lack of extensive studies on aquatic macroinvertebrates and their levels of tolerance in many Costa Rican watersheds, the MAASP focuses more on relative abundance and diversity calculations, such as the EPT% test, than it does on weighted indexes such as that of the Costa Rican Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP-CR).

3. Methods & Materials There are two main sampling periods throughout the year for the MAASP based on the academic schedules of participant groups. The first period is from mid-August/early September through late November/early December. The second period is from mid-January/early February through late May/early June. Data is collected once a month at each site at approximately the same time of day every month. 3.1 Chemical Sampling Three aggregate samples are taken according to GLOBE Program protocols in order to calculate an average for each parameter. A Vernier LabQuest unit and accessory probes and sensors are used according to their respective protocols in order to obtain individual readings. Each sensor/probe is calibrated as necessary at the beginning of each site visit using a two point calibration system to provide a higher level of accuracy. Vernier sensor and probe specifications are listed in Table 2. Equipment pH Sensor Dissolved Oxygen Probe Turbidity Sensor Level of Accuracy +/- 0.1 pH unit +/- 0.2 mg/L +/- 2 NTU readings with >25NTU +/- 5% readings with < 25NTU +/- 1% of full scale reading +/- 0.2 C @ 0C and +/- 0.5 @ 100C +/- 5% reading Range pH 0-14 0-15 mg/L (ppm) 0-200 NTU Temperature Compensation 5-80 C Automatic from 5-35 C n/a

Conductivity 0 to 2000 s/cm Probe Stainless Steel -40 to 135C Temp. Probe Nitrate Ion 0.10 to 14,000 mg/L Selective (ppm) Electrode Flow Rate +/- 1% 0 to 4.0 m/s Sensor Table 2. Technical specifications of Vernier probes and sensors.

Auto from 5-35 C n/a n/a

n/a

Phosphates are measured using LaMotte TesTabs. Students fill a test tube with 5mL of water and then drop a phosphorous TesTab into the water, cap it and shake the tube until the tablet completely disintegrates. They must wait for five minutes afterwards while the reagent in the TesTabs, ammonium molybdate, reacts with the samples phosphorus to form a phosphomolybdate complex. This complex is then reduced to a blue complex by ascorbic acid 6

which is compared to a phosphate color chart giving them a reading of 0, 1, 2, or 4ppm phosphate. Three samples are taken and an average is calculated. 3.2 Physical Sampling Stream discharge is calculated by multiplying the cross-sectional surface area of the stream and flow velocity in a discharge calculator created by Dr. Andrew Guswa of Smith College. A crosssection of each site is measured in width in meters using a tape measure and is then divided into eleven taglines with one and eleven always measuring 0 and marking the edges of the streams banks. Students then measure the depth of each tagline in meters using a meter stick. A Vernier flow rate sensor is then used to take a reading of the waters flow average over a 5-second period at each tagline. This is repeated three times at each tagline. 3.3 Biological Sampling Macroinvertbrates are collected at each site once every three months in order to diminish the negative impacts on the local macroinvertebrate populations. Students use a kick net to collect the organisms, holding the net downstream of the sampling site while one student disturbs the substrate (e.g., move rocks, agitate the bottom substrate, loosen and move submerged leaf packs, etc.) within five meters upstream of the net for five minutes. Students then remove the net from the water using a swooping movement to prevent the organisms from slipping off of the net. Once collected, students sort and identify the specimens on-site to the order and family levels and then release the macroinvertebrates back into the stream.

4. Summary of Annual Data 2009-2010 Average Air (MIN; Temp MAX; (oC) STD DEV) QC-1
19.27 (8; 18.1; 21.3; 1.13) 20.13 (9; 18.6; 21.5; 0.78) 21.23 (7; 18.1; 23.8; 2.26) 22.32 (5; 21; 23.1; 0.82) 22.19 (2; 21.3; 23.08; 1.25) 21.6 (2; 20.7; 22.5; 1.27)

Water Dissolved Temp Oxygen (oC) (mg/L)

17.42 (8; 16.7; 18.6; 0.69) 17.74 (10; 16.6; 19; 0.77) 18.74 (7; 17.5; 19.5; 0.68) 19.48 (6; 19; 20.2; 0.46) 19.35 (2; 19.2; 19.5; 0.21) 19.95 (2; 19.9; 20; 0.07) 7.59 (8; 6.6; 11.8; 1.74)

pH
6.05 (8; 4.59; 7.21; 0.75) 6.10 (10; 4.66; 6.6; 0.55) 6.1 (7; 5.28; 6.53; 0.41) 6.83 (6; 6.4; 7.6; 0.43) 6.8 (2; 6.75; 6.85; 0.07) 6.73 (2; 6.7; 6.75; 0.04)

Turbidity Conductivity Nitrates Phosphates Discharge (NTU) (S/cm) (ppm) (ppm) (m3/s)
2.79 (8; 0; 9.83; 3.40) 32.96 (8; 20.33; 100.67; 27.43) 0.67 (5; 0.1; 1.2; 0.41) 0.92 5; (0.35; 1.27; 0.37) 3.23 (5; 0.3; 14.03; 6.04) 0.86 (5; 0.53; 1.2; 0.28) 0.85 (2; 0.63; 1.07; 0.31) 0.4 (2; 0.17; 0.63; 0.33) 0.182 (3; 0.077; 0.317; 0.123) 0.090 (7; 0.016; 0.271; 0.082) 0.084 (4; 0.01; 0.17; 0.084) 0.052 (4; 0.01; 0.135; 0.057)

2.33 (8; 1; 3.3; 0.81)

QC-2

7.16 (9; 5.8; 8.27; 0.75)

7.78 (10; 0; 21.93; 6.41) 10.60 (8; 6.5; 20.03; 4.39) 21.72 (5; 4.76; 56.7; 21.51) 71.38 (2; 23.73; 119.03; 67.39) 5.29 (2; 4.67; 5.9; 0.87)

54.07 (9; 19; 150.13; 43.50)

2.70 (10; 1; 4; 0.85)

QS-1

6.40 (8; 5.5; 6.63; 0.66)

99.20 (7; 48; 224; 76.10)

2.4 (5; 1.67; 3.33; 0.86)

QS-2

8.81 (6; 6.6; 13.2; 2.67)

193.50 (6; 69.3; 443.97; 151.09)

3.32 (5; 2; 4; 0.82)

QR-1

5.99 (2; 5.87; 6.1; 0.16)

99 (2; 96.33; 101.67; 3.78)

4 (2; 4; 4; 0)

n/a

QR-2

5.97 (2; 4.77; 7.17; 1.70)

298.015 (2; 89; 507.03; 295.59)

3.67 (2; 3.33; 4; 0.47)

n/a

Table 3. Averages for chemical parameters (2009-2010):

AirTemperature 25 20
QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Temperature (oC)

15 10 5 0

Month

Figure 2. Monthly air temperature (Aug 2009-July 2010) 8

Air Temperature 23 Temperature (oC) 22 21 20 19 18 17 QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Figure 3. Average air temperature (August 2009-July 2010).

Water Temperature 25 20 Temperature (oC) 15 10 5 0
AG U S E P O C T N O V D E C JA N FE B M A R AB R M A Y JU N JU L
QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Month

Figure 4. Monthly water temperature (Aug 2009-July 2010)

Water Temperature 20.5 20 19.5 19 18.5 18 17.5 17 16.5 16 QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Temperature (oC)

Figure 5. Average water temperature (August 2009-July 2010). 9

14 12 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 10 8 6 4 2 0

Dissolved Oxygen

QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

AG U SE P O C T N O V D EC JA N FE B M A R AB R M A Y JU N JU L

Month

Figure 6. Monthly dissolved oxygen (Aug 2009-July 2010)

Dissolved Oxygen 10 8 6 4 2 0 QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Figure 7. Average dissolved oxygen (August 2009-July 2010).

pH 8 7 6 5 pH 4 3 2 1 0
A G U SE P O C T N O V D E C JA N FE B M A R A B R M A Y JU N JU L
QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Month

Figure 8. Monthly pH (Aug 2009-July 2010) 10

pH 7.00 6.80 6.60 6.40 6.20 6.00 5.80 5.60 QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

pH

Figure 9. Average pH (August 2009-July 2010).

Turbidity 140 120 100 Turbidity (NTU) 80 60 40 20 0
QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Turbidity (NTU)

A G U S E P O C T N O V D E C JA N FE B M A R AB R M A Y JU N JU L
Month

Figure 10. Monthly turbidity (Aug 2009-July 2010)

Turbidity 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Figure 11. Average turbidity (August 2009-July 2010). 11

Conductivity 600 500 Conductivity ( S/cm)

QC-1

400 300 200 100 0

AG U S E P O C T N O V D E C JA N FE B M A R AB R M A Y JU N JU L

QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Month

Figure 12. Monthly conductivity (Aug 2009-July 2010).

Conductivity 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2 Conductivity ( S/cm)

Figure 13. Average conductivity (August 2009-July 2010).

Nitrates 16 14 12 Nitrates (mg/L) 10 8 6 4 2 0
A G U S E P O C T N O V D E C JA N FE B M A R A B R M A Y JU N JU L
QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Month

Figure 14. Monthly nitrates (Aug 2009-July 2010) 12

Nitrates 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Nitrates (mg/L)

Figure 15. Average nitrates (August 2009-July 2010).

Phosphates 4.5 4 3.5 Phosphates (mg/L) 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0
A G U SE P O C T N O V D E C JA N FE B M A R AB R M A Y JU N JU L
QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Month

Figure 16. Monthly phosphates (Aug 2009-July 2010)

Phosphates 5 Phosphates (mg/L) 4 3 2 1 0 QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Figure 17. Average phosphates (August 2009-July 2010). 13

Stream Discharge 0.35 0.3 0.25 Discharge (m3/s) 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0
A G U S E P O C T N O V D E C JA N FE B M A R A B R M A Y JU N JU L
QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Month

Figure 18. Monthly stream discharge (Aug 2009-July 2010).

Stream Discharge 0.2 Discharge (m3/s) 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 QC-1 QC-2 QS-1 QS-2 QR-1 QR-2

Figure 19. Average stream discharge (August 2009-July 2010).

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References Clark, K.L., Lawton, R.O., and Butler, P.R. 2000. Monteverde: Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest. Nadkarni, N.M., and Wheelwright, N.T. (eds). New York: Oxford University Press. Guswa, A. J. & Rhodes, A.L., 2008. Meteorology of Monteverde, Costa Rica, 2006: Ttechnical Report submitted to the Monteverde Institute. Retrieved from http://www.science.smith.edu/~aguswa/papers/MetReport2007.pdf Laidlaw, Tina., 1996. Adopte Una Quebrada Manual., A product of her Masters Thesis, Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. Retrieved from http://www.rivercenter.uga.edu/international/wfl/manual_english.htm. LaMotte Company, Global Rivers Environmental Education, (GREEN), and Earth Force. Code 5848. Water Monitoring Kit. King, S. 2004. Lnea Divisoria de Aquas Mapa. Rhodes, A.L., A.J. Guswa, Dallas, S., Kim, E.M., Katchpole, S., Pufall, A., in press. Water quality in a tropical montane cloud forest watershed, Monteverde, Costa Rica. In: Bruijnzeel, L.A., Juvik, J., Scatena, F.N., Hamilton, L.S., and Bubb. P. (eds), Mountains in the Mist: Science for Conservation and Management of Tropical Montane Cloud Forests, University of Hawaii Press. Southwest Florida Water Management District. Water Quality Monitoring. Retrieved from http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/education/kids/watermonitoring/measuring.html. Welch, Justin. 2008. Adopte-Una-Quebrada, Cuenca Ro Guacimal, Monteverde, Costa Rica Manual.

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Appendices Appendix 1. Monthly Physical, Chemical and Biological Data SEP Date Air Temperature (Co) Water Temperature (Co) pH Conductivity (S/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) Turbidity (NTU) Nitrate (mg/L) Phosphate (mg/L) Flow (m3/s) Order Diversity Family Diversity Total Abundance OCT
10/03/ 09 19.3 18.6 6.49 25 6.6 0 1 -

NOV
11/07/ 09 18.1 17.13 6.41 100.67 7.5 9.83 3 0.317 3 3 9

DEC
12/09/ 09 18.1 16.7 7.21 20.33 7.4 0.466 2.66 0.152 -

JAN
-

FEB
-

MAR
13/03/ 10 19.3 17.2 5.84 23 11.8 0.76 0.7 2.67 0.077 4 6 41

APR
28/04/ 10 21.3 17.9 5.81 23.33 6.8 5.17 0.1 2.67

MAY
18./05 /10 20.5 18.1 4.59 21.67 6.7 0.3 1.2 3.3

JUN
30/06/ 10 19 17.1 5.88 22.67 6.73 3.97 0.5 1.33 -

JUL
29/07/1 0 18.6 16.7 6.19 27 7.17 1.83 0.87 2

Table 4. Q.Cuecha Upper QC1 SEP Date

22/09/ 09 21/10/ 09 18.6 17.7 6.39 24/11/ 09 20.3 17.5 6.25 8/12/0 9 20 16.6 6.09 -

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB
16/02/ 10 & 23/02/ 10 20.2 17.7 6.02

MAR
26/03/ 10 20.3 16.8 6.51

APR
27/04/ 10 20.7 18.8 6.16

MAY
11/05/ 10 & 18/05/ 10 21.5 19 4.66

JUN
29/06/1 0 19.6 17.5 5.95

JUL
29/07/1 0 20 17.5 6.36

Air Temperature (Co) Water Temperature (Co) pH

18.3 6.6

16

Conductivity (S/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) Turbidity (NTU) Nitrate (mg/L) Phosphate (mg/L) Flow (m3/s) Order Diversity Family Diversity Total Abundance

8.267 9.5 2 -

150.13 2.87 3.33 0.055 7 10 60

103 7.6 7.83 2.67 0.271 -

43.17 7.6 1.3 2.3 0.08 -

29.67 7.83 0 2.33 0.082 7 11 31

25 6.9 6.2 0.35 3.33 0.071

40.33 6.57 21.93 1.27 2.67 0.016

42.3 5.8 5.2 1.1 4 0.056 5 9 34

19 6.7 10.06 0.76 1

34 7.17 12.87 1.13 3.33 -

Table 5. Q.Cuecha Lower QC2 SEP Date Air Temperature (Co) Water Temperature (Co) pH Conductivity (S/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) Turbidity (NTU) Nitrate (mg/L) Phosphate (mg/L) Flow (m3/s) Order Diversity Family Diversity Total Abundance
-

OCT
15/10/ 09 6.63 11.9 -

NOV
5/11/0 9 18.1 18.25 5.97 195.43 7.63 8.03 2 3 4

DEC
-

JAN
28/01/ 10 20.7 17.5 5.28 48 6.86 7 3.33 0.144

FEB

MAR
4/3/20 10 18.76 19.1 6.38 64.33 6.17 8.1 14.03 2 0.012

APR
29/04/ 10 22.9 19.5 6.15 55.67 6.3 6.5 0.3 1.67

MAY
05/13/ 10 23.5 19.1 6.08 224 6.37 11.87 0.3 0.01 2 2 6

JUN
30/06/1 0 23.8 19.1 6.53 54 5.7 20.03 0.6 1.67

JUL
28/07/1 0 20.9 18.6 6.31 53 5.5 11.33 0.93 3.33

0.17 4 4 17

Table 6. Q.Sucia Upper QS1 17

SEP Date Air Temperature (C ) Water Temperature (Co) pH Conductivity (S/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) Turbidity (NTU) Nitrate (mg/L) Phosphate (mg/L) Flow (m3/s) Order Diversity Family Diversity Total Abundance
o

OCT
05/10/ 09 n/a 19 6.997 304.37 7.33 4.76 2 -

NOV
16/11/ 09 0.046 9 9 28

DEC
-

JAN
-

FEB
-

MAR
15/03/ 10 22.7 19.7 6.4 168.67 13.2 28.1 0.93 0.017

APR
26/04/ 10 22.7 20.2 7.6 103.67 11.03 10.53 0.6 3.33 0.135

MAY
10/05/ 10 21 19.4 6.78 443.97 7.5 0.53 4 0.01 5 5 22

JUN
30/06/ 10 22.1 19.6 6.58 69.3 7.2 56.7 1.03

JUL
28/07/1 0 23.1 19 6.63 71 6.6 8.53 1.2 4

Table 7. Q.Sucia Lower QS2 SEP Date Air Temperature (C ) Water Temperature (Co) pH Conductivity (S/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
o

OCT
-

NOV
-

DEC
-

JAN
-

FEB
-

MAR
-

APR
-

MAY
17/05/ 10 23.08 19.2 6.75 96.33 6.1

JUN
28/06/1 0 21.3 19.5 6.85 101.67 5.87

JUL
-

18

Turbidity (NTU) Nitrate (mg/L) Phosphate (mg/L) Flow (m3/s) Order Diversity Family Diversity Total Abundance

119.03 0.63 4 17/05/ 10 23.08 19.2 6.75

23.73 1.07 4

Table 8.Q.Rodriguez Upper QR1 SEP Date Air Temperature (C ) Water Temperature (Co) pH Conductivity (S/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) Turbidity (NTU) Nitrate (mg/L) Phosphate (mg/L) Flow (m3/s) Order Diversity Family Diversity Total Abundance
o

OCT
-

NOV
-

DEC
-

JAN
-

FEB
-

MAR
-

APR
-

MAY
17/05/ 10 22.5 19.9 6.75 507.03 4.77 5.9 0.17 4 17/05/ 10 -

JUN
28/06/1 0 20.7 20 6.7 89 7.17 4.67 0.63 3.33

JUL
-

Table 9. Q.Rodriguez Lower QR2

19

Appendix 2. Monthly Macroinvertebrate Data Total Abundance -

Month Aug Sep Oct

Nov Dec Jan Feb

Mar Apr May Jun Jul

Families Ptilodactylidae(7), Leptophlebiidae(1), Coleoptera(7), Ephemeroptera(1), Diptera(1) 3 Blephariceridae(1) Ptilodactylidae(20), Perilestidae(6), Coleoptera (20), Odonata (9), Ephemoroptera Baetidae(10), Coenagrionidae(2), (10), Tricoptera (2) 4 Cibellulidea(1), Hydropsychidae(2) Table 10. Q. Cuecha Upper QC1 -

Orders/Groups -

3 -

9 -

6 -

41 -

Month Aug Sep

Orders/Groups -

Oct Nov

Crustacea(1), Trichoptera(37), Odonata(9), Ephemeroptera(10), Hirundinea(1), Oligochaeta(1), Isopoda(1), -

7 -

Families FreshWater Crab(1), Hydropsychidae(35), Libellulidae(4), Coenagrionidae(5), Baetidae(7), Leptohyphidae(3), Aquatic Earthworm(1), Leech(1), Pilbug(1), Hydrobiosidae(2) -

Total Abundance -

10 -

60 20

Dec Jan

Feb Mar Apr

May Jun Jul

Coenagrionidae(4), "Unknown Beetle"(2), Elmidae(5), Libellulidae(2), Ptilodactylidae(1), Odonata(6), Coleoptera(8), Trichoptera(1), Hydropsychidae(1), Naucoridae(1), Hemiptera(1), Hirudinae(11), Anura(1), "Leech"(11), "Tadpole"(1), Ephemeroptera(3) 7 Leptophebiidae(2), Baetidae(1), Hydrobiidae (5), Leech (7), Coenagrionidae (3), Calopterygidae (2), Gomphidae (1), Hydropsychidae (5), Gastropoda (15), Hirudinae (7), Odonata (14), Chironomidae (2), Psychodidae Trichoptera (5), Diptera (3) 5 (1), Libellulidae (8) Table 11. Q. Cuecha Lower QC2

11 -

31 -

9 -

34 -

Month Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan

Orders/Groups Diptera(3), Coleoptera(1) Odonata(1), Coleoptera(9), Diptera(4), "Unknown Fish"(3) -

2 -

Feb Mar

4 -

Families Tipulidae(1), Chironomidae(2), "Crawling Water Beetle(1) Coenagrionidae(1), Ptilodactylidae(9), Tipulidae(4), "Fish"(3) -

3 -

Total Abundance 4 -

4 -

17 21

Apr May Jun Jul

"unknown" (5), crustacea (1) 2 "Fish" (5), Crab (1) Table 12. Q.Sucia Upper QS1 Families Tubifex(1), Tipulidae(5), "Water Fleas"(8), "Pillbugs"(2), Hidrobiidae(4), Oligochaeta(1), Diptera(5), Amphipoda(8), Hydropsychidae(1), Isopoda(2), Gastropoda(4), Trichoptera(1), Coenagrionidae(3), Baetidae(3), Odonta(3), Ephemeroptera(3), Megaloptera(1) 9 Corydalidae(1) Hidropsychidae (17), Trichptera (17), Odonata (1), Oligochaeta (1), Coenagrionidae (1), Tubifex (1), Gastropoda (1), Hemiptera (2) 5 Hydroptidae (1), Water Strider (2) Table 13. Q.Sucia Lower QS2 Orders/Groups -

2 -

6 -

Month Aug Sep Oct

Total Abundance -

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

9 -

28 -

May Jun Jul

5 -

22 -

Month Aug Sep

Orders/Groups -

Families -

Total Abundance 22

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul

Table 14. Q. Rodriguez Upper QR1

Month Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul

Orders/Groups Families Table 15. Q. Rodriguez Lower QR2

Total Abundance -

23

Appendix 3. Decree N 33903-MINAET1 CAPTULO II CLASIFICACIN Y MONITOREO DE LOS CUERPOS DE AGUA SUPERFICIALES. Artculo 4.- PARMETROS FISICOS-QUMICOS PARA LA CLASIFICACIN INICIAL O RECLASIFICACIN. Se establecen como parmetros fsicos-qumicos de anlisis requeridos para la clasificacin inicial o reclasificacin de un cuerpo de agua, el porcentaje de saturacin de Oxgeno, la Demanda Bioqumica de Oxgeno y el Nitrgeno Amoniacal, parmetros contemplados en el ndice Holands de Valoracin de la Calidad para los cuerpos de aguas superficiales. Artculo 5.- PARMETROS FSICOS Y QUMICOS COMPLEMENTARIOS Adems de los parmetros mencionados en el artculo anterior, se establecen como parmetros fsicos, qumicos y biolgicos de anlisis complementario, junto con sus valores, los referidos en el Cuadro 1. Estos parmetros se debern analizar en aquellos casos en que el Ministerio de Ambiente y Energa o el Ministerio de Salud, lo consideren necesario en resguardo del medio ambiente y/o la salud humana. Cuadro 1. Parmetros complementarios para la determinacin de la calidad de las aguas de cuerpos superficiales para las clases establecidas en el presente Reglamento.

La Gaceta No 178-Lunes 17 de setiembre del 2007.

24

25

Artculo 6.- CLASIFICACIN FSICO-QUMICA DE LA CALIDAD DEL AGUA. Para la clasificacin de la calidad de los cuerpos de agua en una de las cinco categoras definidas en el presente Reglamento se utilizar el ndice Holands de Valoracin de la Calidad del Agua para Cuerpos Receptores. Los niveles Calidad sern determinados segn la metodologa presentada en el Apndice I. CAPITULO III CRITERIOS PARA LA DEFINICIN DE LOS USOS DE LOS CUERPOS DE AGUA SUPERFICIAL. Artculo 7.- DE LOS USOS De acuerdo a la clasificacin de la calidad de los cuerpos de agua superficial, se establecen cinco categoras de usos del agua:

Cuadro 2. Clasificacin de los Cuerpos de Agua segn el uso potencial, y tratamiento que requiera.

26

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