You are here:
Implications of Climate Change for State Bioassessment Programs and Approaches to Account for Effects (External Review Draft)
EPA is announcing the release of two draft reports, Implications of Climate Change for Bioassessment Programs and Approaches to Account for Effects (EPA/600/R-11/036A) and its supporting document, Freshwater Biological Traits Database (EPA/600/R-11/038) for a 30-day public review and comment period. The EPA also is announcing an independent peer review workshop on May 11, 2011 as described in the federal register announcement. [Federal Register Notice Apr 4, 2011]
Citation:
U.S. EPA. Implications of Climate Change for State Bioassessment Programs and Approaches to Account for Effects (External Review Draft). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-11/036A, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
The study investigates the potential to identify biological response signals to climate change within existing bioassessment data sets; analyzes how biological responses can be categorized and interpreted; and assesses how they may influence decision-making processes.
Description:
This draft report uses biological data collected by four states in wadeable rivers and streams to examine the components of state and tribal bioassessment and biomonitoring programs that may be vulnerable to climate change. The study investigates the potential to identify biological response signals to climate change within existing bioassessment data sets; analyzes how biological responses can be categorized and interpreted; and assesses how they may influence decision-making processes. The analyses suggest that several biological indicators may be used to detect climate change effects and such indicators can be used by state bioassessment programs to document changes at high-quality reference sites.
URLs/Downloads:
Implications of Climate Change for State Bioassessment Programs and Approaches to Account for Effects (EPA/600/R-11/036A) (PDF, 552 pp, 15057 KB, about PDF)Bioassessment Regional Workshop Web site
Biocriteria SW Guidance
EPA Bioindicators
RSL Monitoring -Stream Survey
FR Notice: Apr 14, 2011
Freshwater Biological Traits Database (External Review Draft)
Charge to Peer Reviewers
Agency Response
Peer Review Report (PDF, 128 pp, 642 KB, about PDF)