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1995 MARYLAND BIOLOGICAL STREAM SURVEY STREAM HABITAT ASSESSMENT (HABIT95)
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Description:
The Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) is a multi-year probability-based sampling program designed to assess the status of biological resources in non-tidal streams of Maryland. The MBSS study area comprises eighteen drainage basins across the state of Maryland, providing biological, water chemistry, and physical habitat data for approximately 300 first- through third-order stream sites per year. 1995 was the first year of full implementation of the MBSS, with all basins to be sampled during 1995-1997. Beginning in 1995, the program implemented a revised sampling design, based on results of the earlier 1994 MBSS Demonstration Project. MBSS 1995 sampling was conducted in six basins: Youghiogheny, Upper Potomac, Lower Potomac, Patapsco, Chester, and Nanticoke-Wicomico. The HABIT95 data set includes information from stream habitat assessments conducted during the summer index period. Data were gathered through both field observation and direct measurement of habitat parameters. Procedures for habitat assessments developed for Maryland streams were derived from two currently used methodologies: EPAs Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (RBPs) and the Ohio EPAs Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI). Data are from the 1995 MBSS sampling year.