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Development of Large River Bioassessment Protocols (LRBP) for Macroinvertebrate Assemblages
Objective:
Develop standardized field sampling protocols and an appropriate set of biological indicators for rapid bioassessment of non-wadeable rivers in EPA Region 5
Approach:
- Refine existing habitat assessment and benthic sampling methods at sites covering a strong landuse/disturbance gradient
- Identify taxa and robust biological metrics that are indicative of impairment across the region
- Provide the Region, States, and tribes with tools to better evaluate ecological condition of large rivers
Why This Research Is Needed:
Since passage of the Clean Water Act, government agencies have made extensive use of biomonitoring protocols to report the quality of wadeable streams and rivers. Non-wadeable systems have been largely overlooked because of sampling difficulties and a lack of appropriate methods and biological indicators. Yet large rivers are critical natural, commercial, and aesthetic resources and the need for assessment has risen along with increasing awareness of cumulative stressor effects and observed degradation in coastal zones. Development of standardized sampling methods and identification of appropriate indicators is the first step towards developing biocriteria for these vital resources.
EERD Experience:
- From 2001-2003, preliminary assessment methods were developed based on sampling large rivers in KY and OH
- Plans to refine these methods by sampling 150 sites on six large rivers in EPA Region 5 in the summer of 2004 and 2005
Expected Outputs/Outcomes:
Standardized bioassessment protocols for large river macroinvertebrates that will allow resource managers to expand watershed monitoring and assessment strategies.
Contact: Brent Johnson (513) 569-7335 johnson.brent@epa.gov Cincinnati, OH