Antibiotics resistance in fecal streptococci was used to identify sources of fecal pollution in a rural Virginia watershed. A database of fecal streptococcus isolates was established from known human, livestock, and wildlife sources. Identification of the correct fecal streptococcus source for the entire database ranged from 84% for deer isolates to 93% for human isolates. To field test the method and the database, a watershed improvement project Page Brook in Clark County, VA (approximately 80 km west of Washington DC) was initiated in 1996. Water samples from surface water and ground water were collected monthly from November 1996 to February 1999 and were analyzed for contaminants within 24 hours.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.