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Biological Indicators: Tools for Monitoring and Assessment
Objective:
The objective of this work is to provide states, regions, tribes, and EPA Program Offices with effective indicators of the biological condition of streams and rivers. This work includes creating new bioassessment tools, as well as evaluating and comparing existing tools.
Approach:
- Direct comparisons of field and laboratory methods
- Direct comparison of random and systematic site selection designs
- Identify indicators of specific stressors (i.e., pesticides)
- Evaluate statistical properties of indicators and sampling methods
Why This Research Is Needed:
Although multi-metric indices as biological indicators are becoming very commonly used by states and tribes, there are many issues associated with site selection, methods used for sample collection and processing, and the manner of developing an index of condition, which influence the effectiveness of these indicators. In addition, development of new types of indicators can detect stressors that may be missed by traditional biological indicators.
EERD Experience:
- Development of multi-metric indices for streams, lakes, and rivers for fish, macroinvertebrates, and algae
- Evaluation of statistical properties of multi-metric indicators
- Application of multi-metric indicators and other biological indicators to assess condition of streams at local and regional scales
- Identification of potential drivers of condition using individual metrics and multi-metric indices
Expected Outputs/Outcomes:
Maximization of the ability of resource managers to extract as much useful information from bioassessment and monitoring data to analyze condition, identify contaminants and develop improvement strategies.
Contact: Karen Blocksom (blocksom.karen@epa.gov) (Cincinnati, OH)