System-wide Monitoring Program

Biological Monitoring

The reserve system is in the process of expanding SWMP to include biological monitoring. Each reserve already collects data on chlorophyll a on a monthly basis. This is done over a 24-hour period. Additional biological indicators being considered for SWMP are submerged aquatic vegetation (seagrasses, algae) and emergent vegetation (marsh plants).

Biological monitoring is used for detecting the health of aquatic environments and assessing the relative severity of the pollution impacts. Once a problem is detected, testing is usually necessary to identify the cause, its source and the appropriate mitigation.

Biological monitoring is an effective way to determine water quality problems because:

1. Biological communities reflect overall ecological integrity (i.e., chemical, physical and biological integrity).
   
   
2. Biological communities change in response to a wide variety of pollutants and to the cumulative impacts of those pollutants.
   
   
3. Routine monitoring of biological communities can be relatively inexpensive, particularly when compared to the cost of assessing toxic pollutants.
   
   
4. The status of biological communities is of direct interest to the public as a measure of a pollution-free environment.
   
   
5. Where criteria for specific impacts do not exist (e.g., nonpoint-source impacts that degrade habitat), negative changes in the biological communities may be the only practical means of evaluation.
   

Biological variables and bioassessment techniques include:

• Chlorophyll
  
  
• Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
  

For more information, contact Whitley Saumweber.