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Sampling benthic invertebrates in low gradient streams: does method make a difference?
Citation:
FLOTEMERSCH, J. E., S. North, K. A. BLOCKSOM, E. TARQUINIO, AND T. SMITH. Sampling benthic invertebrates in low gradient streams: does method make a difference? Presented at North American Benthological Society, Providence, RI, May 22 - 26, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
The goal of this research is to develop methods and indicators that are useful for evaluating the condition of aquatic communities, for assessing the restoration of aquatic communities in response to mitigation and best management practices, and for determining the exposure of aquatic communities to different classes of stressors (i.e., pesticides, sedimentation, habitat alteration).
Description:
The U.S. EPA's Wadeable Streams Assessment was the first survey ofs tream biological condition throughout the United States. Between 2000 and 2004, USEPA, states and tribes colelcted chemical, physical and biological data at 1,392 wadeable, perennial stream locations throughout the U.S. using the same standardized methods. As part of the survey, benthic macroinvertebrates were collected to determine the biological condition of streams. However, in the study's 2006 report it was recommended that future surveys evaluate the use of different, yet comparable, methods for different stream types to support a more accurate assessment of condition. Accordingly, in preparation for the 2008-2009 National Rivers and Streams Assessment, an expert panel was convened and developed a novel low-gradient sampling method to include as a research element of the survey. A pilot analysis of currentlya vailable data from the Coastal Plains ecoregion is presented.