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About Us |
Collaborators and Partners |
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The BEST Program provides a unique focus on the response of biological resources to environmental contaminants by utilizing approaches that measure and assess the response of organisms, populations and communities to environmental contaminants. Also by applying biomonitoring methods in conjunction and collaboration with monitoring and surveys that characterize ecosystem health, the BEST Program can begin to evaluate the effect of contaminant stressors in context with that of other stressors. BEST uses several approaches involving combinations of field biomonitoring methods and numerous information assessment tools to address the goals of the Project. Goal 1. Measure and assess the effects of contaminants on selected species and habitat throughout the Nation.
The first goal of the BEST Project is to describe the occurrence, severity, distribution, and changes over time of biological effects from contaminants and to evaluate potential causative factors (e.g. sources of contaminants) at broad geographic and temporal scales. The BEST Project applies selected biomarkers and bioindicators in long-term monitoring networks and in conjunction with other monitoring Projects. These results provide national databases on contaminant effects in biota for interpreting site-specific investigations; describing the distribution of contaminants and their effects in selected habitats across the country; and assessing the change in contaminants and their effects over long-time scales (e.g., years). The information generated from the BEST Project helps resource managers and biologists to identify regions of the country where contaminant threats to biological resources warrant further investigation and to assess the effectiveness of guidelines set for the protection of species and their habitats. Results from the BEST Project are integrated with information from other sources to evaluate the association between contaminant exposures and effects and population status and habitat quality and to assess the effects of contaminants in context with those from other stressors.
Goal 2. Conduct research and synthesis activities directed at providing innovative biomonitoring methods and tools for operational applications.
The second goal of the BEST Project is to develop and evaluate and test biomonitoring methods and to complete the final steps required in the transition of methods from research to operational applications. Although field testing of some methods is sometimes required, the primary emphasis is conducting comprehensive reviews of the application of candidate methods and developing operational capabilities. This evaluation and testing provide innovative and improved methodologies for describing the biological effects of contaminants, and thereby ensure that the BEST Project continues to incorporate improved and new technologies that are sensitive to emerging issues. Biomonitoring methods that can be linked to demographic parameters (such as reproductive rates and survival) or predict population-level effects are emphasized.
Goal 3. Deliver effective and efficient tools to DOI bureaus for assessing contaminant threats to species and lands under their stewardship.
The third goal of BEST is to apply information technologies for the development and distribution of tools that facilitate the application of biomonitoring principles and techniques by DOI bureaus and others. Tools include databases of results and findings; field protocols; searchable databases on effect levels for interpreting results from field investigations; structured approaches for assessing risks or effects to lands and species; decision support systems to organize, manipulate, and interpret data and information; and accessible and distilled summaries on special topics. An emphasis on technology transfer ensures that the information and products of the BEST Project can be effectively applied in a timely manner by resource managers and scientists in FWS, USGS, and other DOI bureaus. |
The BEST Project in conjunction with BRD Science Centers and Cooperative Units conducts its work through federal partnerships and collaborations. Some of our current partners and collaborators are listed below.
The components of the BEST Project are monitoring, synthesis, applied research, and technology transfer.
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