Training
Biocriteria Links
2003 National Workshop Modules
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- BIO 101 - Introduction to Biological Assessments and Criteria
- WQS 101 - Keys to Getting Biocriteria Into Water Quality Standards
- APP 101 - Biological Assessments and Criteria and Their Application in Water Programs
- LAKES 101 - Lake Biological Assessments and Criteria
- TRIBES 101 - Tribal Biological Assessment and Criteria Programs
- SI 101 - The Stressor Identification (SI) Process
- SI 201 The Stressor Identification (SI) Process: Case Study
- RFC 101 - Basic Reference Condition and Classification Techniques
- RFC 201 - Reference Condition Case Studies
- RFC 202 - Advanced Reference Condition Techniques, Special Circumstances and Problem Solving
- INDEX 101 - Biological Index Development Methods: Basic Concepts
- INDEX 201 - Biological Index Development Methods: Applications
- LR 101 - Large River Biological Assessment Methods
- LR 201 - Large River Biocriteria Development
- WET 101 - Wetlands Biological Assessments and Criteria
- TALU 101 - Using Biological Assessments to Refine Designated Aquatic Life Uses: The Biological Condition Gradient
- TALU 201 - Using Biological Assessments to Refine Designated Aquatic Life Uses: The Human Disturbance Gradient
- TALU 202 - Using Biological Assessments to Refine Designated Aquatic Life Uses: Program Implementation
BIO 101 - Introduction to Biological Assessments and Criteria
This course provides an introduction to biological assessments and criteria, how they are developed and how they can be used in water quality management. This course covers the basic concepts, principles and terms, augmented by an overview of the Ohio Biocriteria Program. Recommended for beginning biocriteria scientists, managers and others new to the subject.
- Introduction to biological assessments & criteria (PDF, 2.3MB, 48 slides)
- Technical components of an adequate bioassessment program (PDF, 245KB, 23 slides)
- Biological assessments, biocriteria & water quality standards in Ohio (PDF, 4.3MB, 46 slides)
WQS 101 - Keys to Getting Biocriteria Into Water Quality Standards
This course provides insights into the essential steps and strategies for successfully adopting narrative and numeric biocriteria in State and Tribal water quality standards. Specific topics include an introduction to water quality standards, presentation of State cases, and an introduction to the Biological Condition Gradient for strengthening ALUS (covered in detail under TALU101 and 202). Successful States share how they incorporated biological assessments and criteria into their standards, lessons learned, and tips they have for others. Recommended for beginning biocriteria scientists, managers and others new to the subject.
- Keys to getting biocriteria into water quality standards (PDF, 532KB, 39 slides)
- The path to biocriteria in Oregon (PDF, 2.1MB, 20 slides)
- Oklahoma water quality standards (PDF, 747KB, 21 slides)
- Maines tiered aquatic life standards and biological criteria (PDF, 629KB, 41 slides)
APP 101 - Biological Assessments and Criteria
and Their Application in Water Programs
This course examines how biological assessments and criteria have been successfully used in NPDES permitting, stormwater permits, enforcement cases, Superfund, TMDLs and other applications. Basic applications are presented and supplemented by case examples from three leading States. The use of bioassessments in an enforcement case is also illustrated in the course materials. Recommended for any professional involved in the application of biological assessment and criteria in water quality programs.
- Biological assessments & criteria and their application in water programs (PDF, 365KB, 14 slides)
- Floridas bioassessment program applications (PDF, 2.5MB, 43 slides)
- Use of biological information and biocriteria in Maines water quality program (PDF, 385KB, 18 slides)
LAKES 101 - Lake Biological Assessments and Criteria
This course introduces biological assessment and criteria methods for lakes using the EPA lakes biocriteria guidance, interspersed with case studies and exercises designed to highlight and demonstrate issues in lake bioassessment. Recommended for anyone interested in conducting biological assessments and deriving biocriteria for lakes.
- Lake biological assessments and criteria- introduction (PDF, 151KB, 13 slides)
- Defining reference conditions with sediment cores (PDF, 1.1MB, 23 slides)
- Reservoir biological assessment and criteria: TVA methods and experiences (PDF, 385KB, 29 slides)
- Florida lake biocriteria and bioassessment development (PDF, 2.5MB, 27 slides)
- Biocriteria development for lakes: Merging multimetric & multivariate approaches to develop trial biocriteria for phytoplankton and macroinvertebrates in lakes - Vermont case study (PDF, 293KB, 26 slides)
TRIBES 101 - Tribal Biological Assessment and Criteria Programs
This course has been designed to examine and discuss the development and implementation of biological assessment and criteria programs in Tribal Nations. Technical issues relevant to tribal programs arediscussed and case studies are presented. Recommended for biologists and environmental managers working with tribes on water quality monitoring and assessment on tribal lands.
- Tribal biological assessments and criteria - introduction (PDF, 391KB, 11 slides)
- Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe: bioassessment program technical issues (PDF, 2.1MB, 22 slides)
- Developing biological criteria: Fort Pecks experience (PDF, 130KB, 18 slides)
- Establishment of reference sites on the Oneida reservation in Wisconsin (PDF, 1.5MB, 17 slides)
- Fond du Lac Reservation water quality program (PDF, 2MB, 21 slides)
- Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe: programmatic implementation of bioassessments (PDF, 1.6MB, 21 slides)
- Use of biocriteria for 401 certification (PDF, 492KB, 16 slides)
- Oneida Nation: programmatic implementation of bioassessments (PDF, 302KB, 7 slides)
- Fond du Lac Reservation: programmatic implementation of bioassessments (PDF, 650KB, 13 slides)
SI 101 - The Stressor Identification (SI) Process
This course covers the principles of the stressor identification process, which is used when unknown causes of biological impairment are encountered and when it is necessary to convince a skeptical audience. Recommended for scientists, managers and others involved in 305(b) assessments, 303(d) listings, TMDLs or other water body investigations.
- The stressor identification (SI) process (PDF, 118KB, 7 slides)
- Why a formal method for causal evaluation? (PDF, 198KB, 15 slides)
- Step by step through causal evaluation (PDF, 2.4MB, 87 slides)
- The Kootenai River ecosystem: A challenge for the stressor identification process (PDF, 2.3MB, 15 slides)
- Using stressor response relationships to identify causes of impairment (PDF, 2.5MB, 15 slides)
- A procedure to determine the biological gradient of macroinvertebrates to stream temperature (PDF, 236KB, 12 slides)
- Environmental protection without conclusive causal analysis (PDF, 2MB, 28 slides)
SI 201 The Stressor Identification (SI) Process: Case Study
This course provides participants with a step-by-step examination of a case study using the stressor identification process. Information is presented on EPA's proposed expert/information/database support system that is being designed to help practitioners determine unknown causes of biological impairment more quickly and easily. Recommended for scientists, managers and others involved in 305(b) assessments, 303(d) listings, TMDLs or anyone attempting to diagnose water body impairments.
- The stressor identification (SI) process: case study (PDF, 200KB, 7 slides)
- Case Study: Little Scioto River: Step 1 List candidate causes (PDF, 326KB, 21 slides)
- Appropriate Use of Statistics (PDF, 95KB, 7 slides)
- Case Study: Little Scioto River: Analyze evidence & characterize cause (PDF, 328KB, 24 slides)
- Case Study: Little Scioto River: Answers (PDF, 210KB, 19 slides)
- CADDIS: Making Stressor ID Easier - The Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System Development Workshop (PDF, 336KB, 14 slides)
RFC 101 - Basic Reference Condition and Classification Techniques
This course explains the basic concepts of reference conditions and classification, how such are derived and the importance for developing biocriteria for water quality standards. The role of human disturbance gradients in setting reference conditions will be discussed. States with a long history of developing and incorporating reference condition concepts into their water quality programs provide case studies. Recommended for anyone conducting bioassessments and/or developing biocriteria.
- Basic Reference Condition and Classification Techniques - Introduction (PDF, 852KB, 35 slides)
- Overview of the role of classification & modeling in establishing reference conditions (PDF, 240KB, 30 slides)
- Reference site selection: Overview and a framework (PDF, 653KB, 30 slides)
- Establishing reference condition for the development of numerical biological criteria in Ohio (PDF, 2.2MB, 33 slides)
- Development of reference conditions for management classes - Maine (PDF, 129KB, 17 slides)
- Idahos reference condition approach: Lessons learned (PDF, 3.4MB, 27 slides)
RFC 201 - Reference Condition Case Studies
This course focuses primarily on the process of selecting reference sites to characterize reference condition based on a series of case studies in different geographic settings. The role of classification and modeling is incorporated into the case studies as appropriate. The course is based on a hierarchical screening process for the selection of reference sites. Recommended for all bioassessment and biocriteria professionals.
- Reference Condition Case Studies: Emphasis on selection of reference sites (PDF, 182KB, 4 slides)
- Development of a Reference Site Screening Approach - Part 1 (PDF, 1.3MB, 28 slides)
- Reference condition approach and site selection: An Oregon case study (PDF, 915KB, 29 slides)
- Reference site selection & classification in Arizona (PDF, 1.7MB, 27 slides)
- Core factors of reference site designation for streams in the central plains: Developing multi-state criteria for use in screening candidate reference sites (PDF, 158KB, 16 slides)
- Development of a Reference Site Screening Approach - Part 2 (PDF, 2.8MB, 32 slides)
- The Wyoming reference site experience (PDF, 1.8MB, 40 slides)
- An Aquatic ecological classification system for riverine ecosystems: A common framework for biomonitoring and biodiversity conservation (PDF, 14.8MB, 39 slides)
RFC 202 - Advanced Reference Condition Techniques, Special Circumstances and Problem Solving
This course explains ways to derive reference conditions when the routine methods won't work, i.e., difficult situations. Examples focus on extensively modified areas such as urban areas, some kinds of agricultural lands, large river, and some lake or wetland situations. The course includes the use of historical information for characterizing reference condition. Recommended for practitioners facing such problems.
- Advanced reference condition techniques, special circumstances and problem solving - Introduction (PDF, 128KB, 7 slides)
- Historical reconstruction of reference condition (PDF, 2.7MB, 31 slides)
- Challenges for urban and agricultural landscapes: Maryland & Mississippi (PDF, 1.4MB, 32 slides)
- Development of reference conditions for reservoir aquatic communities (PDF, 333KB, 21 slides)
- Selecting reference sites in agricultural areas A South Dakota case study (PDF, 3MB, 21 slides)
- Challenges in selecting reference streams in plains landscapes: Northeastern Montana (PDF, 5.2MB, 34 slides)
INDEX 101 - Biological Index Development Methods: Basic Concepts
This course will cover the methods and models used to develop indexes of biological condition. The course reviews the ecological basis of indices, the steps involved in building indices, limitations of the approach, and critical questions to ask of any index.
- Biological index development methods: Basic concepts - Introduction (PDF, 2.4MB, 37 slides)
- Multimetric concepts (PDF, 887KB, 34 slides)
- Recalibrating Floridas stream condition index (PDF, 358KB, 34 slides)
- Use of RIVPACS-type predictive models in aquatic biological assessment: Theory and application (PDF, 356KB, 30 slides)
- Oregons experience with multimetric and multivariate approaches (PDF, 650KB, 24 slides)
- Use of linear discriminant models to determine life use attainment (PDF, 643KB, 29 slides)
INDEX 201 - Biological Index Development Methods: Applications
This course covers in greater depth the methods and models used to develop indices of biological condition and their potential policy and regulatory implications. This second course addresses how to perform technical steps in building multimetric and multivariate predictive models. It will also address threshold development and evaluation for building criteria from indices.
- Biological Index Development Methods: Applications - Introduction (PDF, 92KB, 6 slides)
- Idahos index development: lessons learned (PDF, 1.6MB, 24 slides)
- Case study: Classification of western streams (PDF, 773KB, 32 slides)
- Classification exercise (PDF, 720KB, 22 slides)
- Biological attribute exploration, metric development (PDF, 696KB, 38 slides)
- Selection of metrics for index assembly (PDF, 278KB, 21 slides)
- RIVPACS (PDF, 530KB, 67 slides)
- Confidence: Variability & reliability (PDF, 465KB, 28 slides)
LR 101 - Large River Biological Assessment Methods
This course introduces biological assessment methods for large rivers. Primary topics covered include classification of rivers, assessment and site/station scale, alternative monitoring designs for alternative objectives, and field methods for core biological indicator assemblages. Other topics introduced (and covered in greater detail in other modules) include alternative reference condition approaches, alternative classification strategies, data analysis, and biocriteria development/alternative classification strategies for condition. Recommended for anyone interested in conducting biological assessments of large rivers.
- Large river biological assessment methods - Introduction (PDF, 3.4MB, 32 slides)
- Section 2: Initial decisions and considerations (PDF, 1.2MB, 27 slides)
- Section 3: Large river bioassessment design and data interpretation (PDF, 1.5MB, 24 slides)
- Section 4a: Introduction to environmental indicators of riverine ecosystem quality (PDF, 176KB, 14 slides)
- Section 4b: W-EMAP Quantitative river physical habitat assessment (PDF, 1.7MB, 33 slides)
- Section 4c: Water chemistry (PDF, 676KB, 20 slides)
- Section 4d: Biological response indicators of riverine ecosystem quality (PDF, 200KB, 5 slides)
- Section 4e: Methods for sampling fish in large rivers (PDF, 2MB, 31 slides)
- Section 4f: Methods for sampling benthic macroinvertebrates in large rivers (PDF, 440KB, 15 slides)
- Section 4g: Methods for sampling algae in large rivers (PDF, 350KB, 16 slides)
- Section 5: Logistics & safety on large rivers (PDF, 593KB, 11 slides)
LR 201 - Large River Biocriteria Development
This course introduces biological criteria derivation methods for large rivers primarily through the use of case studies. Multiple case studies representing a range of site/station scale and monitoring designs for alternative objectives are presented.
- Large river biocriteria development - Introduction (PDF, 69KB, 3 slides)
- Idaho river ecological assessment framework (PDF, 1.2MB, 31 slides)
- Bioassessment and potential for biocriteria development in the lower Missouri River: A Case study using benthic macroinvertebrates (PDF, 768KB, 21 slides)
- ORSANCO:
Biological criteria development for the Ohio river (PDF, 226KB,
30 slides)
WET 101 - Wetlands Biological Assessments and Criteria
This course introduces biological assessment and criteria methods for wetlands and their many applications to State and Tribal wetland programs. Course material is taken from EPA's Methods for Evaluating Wetland Condition as well as case studies and examples from states. Recommended for anyone interested in conducting biological assessments and deriving biocriteria for wetlands.
- Wetlands biological assessments and criteria - Introduction (PDF, 121KB, 12 slides)
- Wetland classification: goals and strategies (PDF, 3.3MB, 36 slides)
- Assemblage selection and index development for wetland IBIs (PDF, 1.7MB, 47 slides)
- Monitoring to determine aquatic life use support (PDF, 886KB, 42 slides)
- Application of wetland bioassessment protocols for making aquatic life beneficial use-support determinations in Montana (PDF, 836KB, 41 slides)
- Monitoring and assessment data use and application: Establishing common measurement endpoints for ambient assessments - Juniata case study (PDF, 8MB, 46 slides)
- Linking measures of ecological integrity with ecosystem processes in mitigation wetlands (PDF, 1MB, 28 slides)
- Future directions (PDF, 126KB, 14 slides)
- Lessons learned by States\Tribes through bioassessment of wetlands (PDF, 28KB, 11 pages)
- Tools developed for wetland biomonitoring (PDF, 69KB, 22 pages)
TALU 101 - Using Biological Assessments to Refine Designated Aquatic Life Uses: The Biological Condition Gradient
This course explains and solicits feedback on a proposed conceptual model predicting the response of aquatic communities to increasing human disturbance. The conceptual model is a draft framework for using biological assessment information to refine designated aquatic life uses. Recommended for participants with bioassessment and biocriteria field expertise and program responsibilities for water quality standards.
- Using biological assessments to refine designated aquatic life uses: EPA/State Workgroup (2004) (PDF, 306KB, 25 slides)
- Using biological assessments to refine designated aquatic life uses: The biological condition gradient - Introduction (PDF, 128KB, 14 slides)
- The biological condition gradient (PDF, 965KB, 39 slides)
- Application of the biological condition gradient in Kentucky (PDF, 1.2MB, 11 slides)
- Response of stream biological communities to agricultural disturbances in the great plains (PDF, 10.3MB, 36 slides)
TALU 201 - Using Biological Assessments to Refine Designated Aquatic Life Uses: The Human Disturbance Gradient
This course explains and solicits feedback on a draft conceptual model that ranks changes in stream/river environments in response to increasing human disturbance. Technical issues and potential management applications relative to reference condition are discussed. Case examples are presented. Recommended for participants with bioassessment and biocriteria field expertise and program responsibilities for water quality standards.
- Using biological assessments to refine designated aquatic life uses: The human disturbance gradient - Introduction (PDF, 1.4MB, 35 slides)
- Landscape data and tools to document human disturbance gradients (PDF, 11.7MB, 49 slides)
- Scaling biological assessment variables (PDF, 543KB, 28 slides)
- Application of the biological condition and human disturbance gradients for making aquatic life beneficial use-support determinations in Montana (PDF, 1.5MB, 53 slides)
TALU 202 - Using Biological Assessments to Refine Designated Aquatic Life Uses: Program Implementation
This course explains and solicits feedback on application of the proposed conceptual model predicting the response of an aquatic community to increasing human disturbance. Case examples are presented. This course is recommended for State and Tribal program scientists and managers, particularly water quality standards coordinators.
- Using biological assessments to refine designated aquatic life uses: Program implementation - Introduction (PDF, 275KB, 44 slides)
- Application of the biocondition gradient within Idahos cold water aquatic life use (PDF, 154KB, 17 slides)
- Potential application of tiered aquatic life use model in Wisconsin (PDF, 227KB, 21 slides)
- Tiered aquatic life uses: Implementation of bioassessment and biocriteriain water quality management programs (PDF, 124KB, 18 slides)
- Implementation of tiered aquatic life uses: Ohio rivers and streams, 1978 - present (PDF, 6.7MB, 52 slides)