Quantile Regression: EPT Taxa Richness vs. Percent Sands and Fines for Minnesota Streams
Plot
- Analysis: Quantile regression
- Independent variable: Percent (%) sand and fines
- Dependent variable: EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) taxa richness
- Classification variables: Ecoregion class - dummy variable = 0 if the Ecoregions are 46, 47, or 51 and dummy variable = 1 if the ecoregions are 50 or 52
- Key: symbols = observations, solid line = mean line, dashed line = 95% prediction limit, black lines and symbols = Ecoregions 46, 47 and 51, blue lines and symbols = Ecoregions 50 and 52
- Sample size: n = 267
Model
- Ecoregions 50 and 52: EPT richness = 26.7719 - 0.1083*(% sand & fines)
- Ecoregions 46, 47 and 51: EPT richness = 21.429 - 0.0743*(% sand & fines)
- Date: 6 October, 2006
Variable | Estimate | Chi2 | p |
---|---|---|---|
Intercept | 21.428 | ||
Ecoregion class | 5.342 | 5.17 | 0.023 |
% Sand & fines | -0.074 | 12.29 | 0.0005 |
% Sand & fines x Ecoregion class | -0.034 | 0.46 | 0.50 |
Data Analysis
- Model generated using SAS Proc QUANTREG with the smoothing algorithm. The Wald test statistic was used to test the linear null hypothesis, H0: slope=0, for all independent variables (i.e., ecoregion class, % sand & fines, and ecoregion class x % sand & fines.)
- The ecoregions were aggregated into two classes because a preliminary ANOVA indicated that the base material for bedded sediments, % coarse substrates, was significantly greater in Ecoregions 50 and 52 than in Ecoregions 46, 47, and 51. Percent coarse substrates, however, did not significantly differ within either group.
- Replicate visits to a site were excluded from the data set.
Data Origin
- Agency: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St. Paul, Minnesota Exit
- Location: Minnesota - analyses restricted to wadeable sites (52 km2; < watershed area < 523 km2) from the five ecoregions indicated below.
- Omernik Level III Ecoregions examined include: 46 (Northern Glaciated Plains), 47 (Western Corn Belt Plains), 50 (Northern Lakes and Forests), 51 (North Central Hardwoods), and 52 (Driftless Area).
Sampling Design
- Data collected 1996 through 2004.
- Sampling protocols: You may need a PDF reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more.
- Description of the sampling methods for invertebrates (PDF)
- Description of the sampling methods for measuring physical habitat characteristics, including % sand and fines (PDF)
- Description of invertebrate enumeration methods
Contact
Michael B. Griffith, griffith.michael@epa.gov, (513) 569-7034