Abstract |
Over the past half-century, land use activities such as the introduction of invasive plant species, agriculture, and urbanization have adversely impacted the quality of Hawaiian streams. The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for developing state water quality standards (including aquatic life use standards), identification of state 303(d) impaired waters, and development of associated TMDLs. In this capacity, they require responsive and appropriate assessment tools to examine the quality of Hawaiian streams including its chemical, physical, and biological condition, and they require that these tools be broadly applicable. |