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LARGE RIVERS - DEVELOPMENT OF INDICATORS OF BIOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL AND HABITAT CONDITION OF DEEP RIVERS
Impact/Purpose:
Enable states, regions and tribes to evaluate riverine conditions using biological and physical data.
Task Number: 6494
1. Provide states, tribes and regions with suitable methods for sampling rivers from boats.
2. Ensure that at least, one state in each region has bioassessment experience and options for setting biocriteria.
3. Provide transparent guidance for development of bioassessment tools and biocriteria unique to deep rivers.
Description:
The EPA has the responsibility to conserve and enhance the Nation's Waters. It has set for itself a goal that states: "by 2005, conserve and enhance the ecological health of the Nation's (state, interstate, and tribal) waters and aquatic ecosystemsrivers and streams, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, coastal areas, oceans and groundwaterso that 75% of waters will support healthy aquatic communities. One effort directed at reaching this goal is the development of indicators that characterize the biological conditions of deep rivers. These river-condition indicators are intended to reflect both river ecosystem integrity and valued biological resources; namely, benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, algae and habitat. To ensure that this research eventually serves its intended purpose, the research effort directly involve states in the development of the indicators, and provide experience using them. These indicators are being developed to evaluate the physical, chemical and biological condition of our Nation's deep and magnificent rivers.
The EPA has set for itself a goal which states: "By 2008, develop indicators, monitoring systems and designs for measuring the exposures of ecosystems to multiple stressors and the resultant response of ecosystems at local, regional, and national scales." One component for attaining this goal is the development of indicators that characterize the biological condition of shallow streams. These stream-condition indicators reflect both stream ecosystem integrity and several separate valued biological resources; namely, benthic macroinvertebrates, fish and algae. To ensure that this research eventually serves it's intended purpose, the research effort directly involves states in the development of the indicators, and provides experience using these biological measures of shallow stream condition. Ultimately, the stream indicators will be used to evaluate the physical, chemical and biological condition of our Nation's waters.