![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081014081859im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Uses of Data
Biocriteria Links
Track Restoration Progress
One role of biocriteria is to provide quantified biological goals for restoration actions. Because they integrate the effects of all stressors, the responses of the biological community will reflect the effectiveness of the restoration actions and whether other factors are still limiting the attainment of biological integrity. This cannot be accomplished with the sole use of chemical and toxicity standards. For example, an improvement in biological integrity, as measured by an increase in number of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa, was observed in the Ottawa River, Ohio, from 1974 to 1991. This increase was in response to improved wastewater treatment during this period, which decreased the concentrations of ammonia and other pollutants in the river.