Aquatic Life Use Support (ALUS)

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Table 2. Hierarchy of Habitat Assessment Approaches for Evaluation of Aquatic Life Use Attainment

Level Of Info ^a Technical Components Spatial/Temporal Coverage Data Quality ^b

1 Visual observation of habitat characteristics; no true assessment; documentation of readily discernable land use characteristics that might alter habitat quality; no reference conditions Sporadic visits; sites are mostly from road crossings or other easy access Unknown or low precision and sensitivity; professional scientist (biologist, hydrologist) not required

2 Visual observation of habitat characteristics and simple assessment; use of land use maps for characterizing watershed condition; reference condition pre-established by professional scientist Limited to annual visits and non-specific to season; generally easy access; limited spatial coverage and/or site-specific studies Low precision and sensitivity; professional biologist or hydrologist not involved or only correspondence

3 Visual-based habitat assessment using standard operating procedures (SOPs); may be supplemented with quantitative measurements of selected parameters; conducted with bioassessment; data on land use compiled and used to supplement assessment; reference condition used as a basis for assessment Assessment during a single season usually the norm; spatial coverage may be limited or broad and commensurate with biological sampling; assessment may be regional or site-specific Moderate precision and sensitivity; professional biologist or hydrologist performs survey or provides oversight and training

4 Assessment of habitat based on quantitative measurements of instream parameters, channel morphology, and floodplain characteristics; conducted with bioassessment; data on land use compiled and used to supplement assessment; reference condition used as a basis for assessment Assessment during 1-2 seasons; spatial coverage usually broad and commensurate with biological sampling; assessment may be regional or site-specific High precision and sensitivity; professional biologist or hydrologist performs survey and assessment

NOTE: Table is based on use in lotic systems. With some modification, these approaches would apply to other waterbody types.

^a Level of information refers to rigor of habitat assessment, where 1 = lowest and 4 = highest.

^b Refers to ability of the habitat endpoints to detect impairment or to differentiate along a gradient of environmental conditions.

Biological Indicators

Level Of Info ^a	Technical Components	Spatial/Temporal Coverage	Data Quality ^b
1	Visual observation of habitat characteristics; no true assessment; documentation of readily discernable land use characteristics that might alter habitat quality; no reference conditions	Sporadic visits; sites are mostly from road crossings or other easy access	Unknown or low precision and sensitivity; professional scientist (biologist, hydrologist) not required
2	Visual observation of habitat characteristics and simple assessment; use of land use maps for characterizing watershed condition; reference condition pre-established by professional scientist	Limited to annual visits and non-specific to season; generally easy access; limited spatial coverage and/or site-specific studies	Low precision and sensitivity; professional biologist or hydrologist not involved or only correspondence
3	Visual-based habitat assessment using standard operating procedures (SOPs); may be supplemented with quantitative measurements of selected parameters; conducted with bioassessment; data on land use compiled and used to supplement assessment; reference condition used as a basis for assessment	Assessment during a single season usually the norm; spatial coverage may be limited or broad and commensurate with biological sampling; assessment may be regional or site-specific	Moderate precision and sensitivity; professional biologist or hydrologist performs survey or provides oversight and training
4	Assessment of habitat based on quantitative measurements of instream parameters, channel morphology, and floodplain characteristics; conducted with bioassessment; data on land use compiled and used to supplement assessment; reference condition used as a basis for assessment	Assessment during 1-2 seasons; spatial coverage usually broad and commensurate with biological sampling; assessment may be regional or site-specific	High precision and sensitivity; professional biologist or hydrologist performs survey and assessment

Aquatic Life Use Support (ALUS)

Biocriteria Links

Table 2. Hierarchy of Habitat Assessment Approaches for Evaluation of Aquatic Life Use Attainment

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