The AA. examined changes in conductivity, total inorganic nitrogen (TIN), and a family biotic index (FBI) for benthic macroinvertebrates in a partially urbanized stream in eastern New York state, USA. The AA. expected conductivity, which results
mainly from road de-icing salt, to decrease in the green space due to dilution from low-conductivity surface runoff. They also expected TIN and FBI to indicate stream improvements in response to increased vegetative cover in the green space. Contrary
to expectations, conductivity did not improve in the ecological preserve, although TIN and FBI values did improve. Differences in scales of response explain this contrast in recovery/conductivity responded to basin-wide percentage impervious surface cover (ISC
), while TIN and FBI responded to riparian-scale ISC, which declined sharply in the ecological preserve. Conserving riparian green space can aid natural recovery of TIN and FBI. In contrast, controlling conductivity requires watershed-wide management.