Recent Additions to CADDIS

November 30, 2020

As of November 2020, CADDIS retired the ICD application as it became no longer functional due to programming limitations. The Interactive Conceptual Diagrams (ICDs) page provides background information related to conceptual diagrams and the ICD application for archival purposes, but users are no longer unable to access the ICD application itself. The evidence included in the ICD is accessible through CADLink. 

August 29, 2017

In August 2017, EPA launched a new revision to the entire CADDIS website as it was migrated to the Agency's Web Content Management System (WCMS), using Drupal software. This new version of the site has volume specific navigation with links back to the main entrance to the site, an integrated search function and a common glossary. Seasoned visitors should be familiar with the layout of the volumes and content and new users should be able to find CADDIS materials easily.

September 23, 2010

In September 2010, EPA released a new version of CADDIS to the public. This new release contained new content in each part of the site, and was reorganized into five volumes, or topic areas. Listed below are those volumes, how they correspond to sections of the 2007 release (in parentheses), and the new content that was added to each volume.

• Volume 1: Stressor Identification (Step-by-Step Guide) – New causal assessment background section, providing information on the CADDIS causal approach, causal concepts, and causal history.
  • Volume 1: Stressor Identification
  • Causal Assessment Background
• Volume 2: Sources, Stressors & Responses (Candidate Causes) – New stressor modules for ammonia, herbicides, insecticides, pH (low and high), and physical habitat; a new source module for urbanization.
  • Volume 2: Sources, Stressors & Responses
  • Ammonia
  • Herbicides
  • Insecticides
  • pH
  • Physical Habitat
  • Urbanization
• Volume 3: Examples & Applications (Examples, Databases) – New analytical examples, illustrating the use of different data analysis methods; new case studies, summarizing completed causal assessments; a summary of how different states have used causal assessment techniques in their systems.
  • Volume 3: Examples & Applications
  • Analytical Examples
  • Case Studies
  • State & Other Regulatory Examples
• Volume 4: Data Analysis (Analyzing Data) – New sections on selecting an analysis approach, basic principles and issues, exploratory data analysis, basic analyses, and advanced analyses.
  • Volume 4: Data Analysis
  • Selecting an Analysis Approach
  • Basic Principles & Issues
  • Exploratory Data Analysis
  • Basic Analyses
  • Advanced Analyses
• Volume 5: Causal Databases (Candidate Causes, Databases) – Expanded Interactive Conceptual Diagram application that allows users to view, create, and collaborate on conceptual diagrams, as well as use those diagrams to access and link supporting literature.
  • Volume 5: Causal Databases
  • Interactive Conceptual Diagrams (ICDs)

October 01, 2007

In October 2007, EPA added new material to CADDIS. These new sections (listed below) were added on: Candidate Causes, Analyzing Data, and Databases. In addition, we also updated the "in-depth" sections of the Step-by-Step guide.

• Candidate Causes: Common Candidate Causes
  • Metals
  • Sediments
  • Nutrients
  • Dissolved Oxygen
  • Temperature
  • Ionic Strength
  • Flow Alteration
  • Unspecified Toxic Chemicals
    ​
• Candidate Causes: Interactive Conceptual Model for Phosphorus
   
• Analyzing Data: Data Analysis Methods
  • Scatter Plots
  • Correlation
  • Box Plots
  • Conditional Probability Analysis
  • Regression Analysis
  • Predicting Environmental Conditions from Biological Observations
  • Quantile Regression
  • Classification and Regression Trees
  • Species Sensitivity Distributions
    ​
• Analyzing Data: Fundamentals of Data Analysis
  • Data Sources
  • Assuring Data Quality
  • Using Statistics Responsibly
  • Extrapolation
    ​
• Analyzing Data: Get Data Analysis Tools: Downloadable tools available on this page include the Species Sensitivity Distribution Generator and CADStat.
  • Predicting Environmental Conditions from Biological Observations: Technical Details and Programs
    ​
• Databases
  • Conceptual Model Library
  • Metals Chronic Concentration-Response Gallery
  • Metals Species Sensitivity Distribution Gallery
  • Field Stressor-Response Association Gallery

August 06, 2007

The CADDIS web site was updated with new material that was still undergoing final review by U.S. EPA. In addition to this new material, sections of the step by step guide were updated, in particular, the "in depth" sections, multiple causes, and using statistics responsibly were added. The new sections, listed below, include these general topics: candidate causes, analytical tools, an conceptual models.

Common Candidate Causes: Metals, Sediments, Nutrients, Dissolved Oxygen Temperature, Ionic Strength, Flow Alteration, Unspecified Toxic Chemicals, Interactive Conceptual Model for Phosphorus. Download alert: you will be prompted to download and install the latest version of Flash (a freely available program) in order to view this part of CADDIS.

Analyzing Data: Data Analysis Methods: Scatter Plots, Correlation, Box Plots, Conditional Probability Analysis, Regression Analysis, Predicting Environmental Conditions from Biological Observations, Quantile Regression, Classification and Regression Trees, Species Sensitivity Distributions

Analyzing Data: Fundamentals of Data Analysis: Data Sources, Assuring Data Quality, Matching Data in Space and Time, Classifying Sites, Normalizing Data, Using Statistics Responsibly, Extrapolation Organizing Data along Causal Pathways

Analyzing Data: Get Data Analysis Tools. Download alert: To use CADStat, you will need to download and install the R Statistical package (a freely available program).

Predicting Environmental Conditions from Biological Observations: Technical Details and Programs, Databases, Conceptual Model Library, Metals Chronic Concentration-Response Gallery, Metals Species Sensitivity Distribution Gallery, Field Stressor-Response Gallery

March 23, 2007

In March, we have added more material to CADDIS and solicited comments on these new materials. Specifically, comments were invited on two additional candidate cause modules, an interactive conceptual model, and analytical methods, tools, and databases. The two additional candidate causes are Altered Flow and Unspecified Toxic Chemicals. We also added an Interactive Conceptual Model (ICD) section that includes a model for phosphorus. Within the new Analytical Tools section, the Methods tab includes descriptions of analytical methods including scatter plots, linear regression, predicting environmental conditions from biological observations, and species sensitivity distributions. Analytical Tools provided under the Get the Tools tab include CADStat; a downloadable software package for analyzing data using a variety of exploratory and statistical approaches. We also added new material under Databases, including downloadable and on-line stressor-response galleries.

January 17, 2007

In January, EPA added more material to CADDIS and solicited comments on the new material. Specifically, comments were invited on two additional candidate cause modules, an interactive conceptual model, and analytical methods, tools, and databases. The two additional candidate causes are Altered Flow and Unspecified Toxic Chemicals. We also added an Interactive Conceptual Model section that includes a model for phosphorus. Within the new Analytical Tools section, the Methods tab includes descriptions of analytical methods including scatter plots, linear regression, predicting environmental conditions from biological observations, and species sensitivity distributions. Analytical Tools provided under the Get the Tools tab include CADStat; a downloadable software package for analyzing data using a variety of exploratory and statistical approaches. We also added new material under Databases, including downloadable and on-line stressor-response galleries.

April 27, 2005

The CADDIS web site underwent external review until Friday, May 27, 2005. Comments were submitted under the EPA Docket in Regulations.Gov. To locate these comments, go to the site at https://www.regulations.gov. Then click "search" and key in the Docket Number ORD-2005-0001. This was announced in an April 27, 2005, Federal Register Notice.

October 01, 2004

The CADDIS web site was under review and update. Definitions for the lines of evidence in Steps 3.2, 3.3, 5.2, and 5.3 were under review and update. New worksheets for stressor-response evidence from field observational studies, toxicity tests, and ecological process models are being developed. A searchable library of conceptual models was also added to the examples page.