Rapid Bioassessment of Stream Health

Tasked by the Clean Water Act to restore and maintain the integrity of their waters, state and local governments must develop systems for assessing the health of the streams within their borders. They quickly find that one size does not fit all when it comes to sampling. Rapid Bioassessment of Stream Health examines the sampling techniques, laboratory methods, and data analysis necessary to create a protocol for analyzing the health of streams, using rapid bioassessment techniques.

The editors explore how to determine reference streams in each ecoregion and subecoregion with specific indices of health. They provide field methods for monitoring and sampling invertebrates and laboratory methods for subsampling. The work focuses on the application of the EPA’s Rapid Bioassessment Protocol (RBP) but suggests various techniques that can be used to improve sampling protocols and quality control, where necessary. It also includes general listings of health classifications, appendices of more than 300 streams that have been sampled, and a GIS method for designating the reference condition for purposes of comparison in each ecological unit.

Although the EPA’s RBP Manual is considered to be the standard of information on the types of metrics that can be used, this book explores, from a state regulatory standpoint, the practical development of such a system to begin compliance with critical sections of the Clean Water Act. A compendium of information about prioritizing those streams and small rivers requiring analysis, this book contains guidelines on the assessment of streams in a particular ecoregion and sampling streams that are at least impaired as points of comparison. It supplies guidance for the production of other rapid bioassessment tools customized to various ecoregions and subecoregions.

Introduction, J. A. Gore, D.L. Hughes, M.P. Brossett, and A.M. Herrit
Comparison of Bioassessment Methods, J.R. Olson, D.L. Hughes, and M.P. Brossett
Rapid Bioassessment Materials and Methods, M.P. Brossett, D.L. Hughes, J.R. Olson, and J.A. Gore
Candidate Reference Conditions, J.R. Olson, D.L. Hughes, J.A. Gore, and M.P. Brossett
Development of Ecoregional and Subecoregional Reference Conditions, D.L. Hughes, J.R. Olson, M.P. Brossett, and J.A. Gore
A Numerical Index of Stream Health, A.M. Herrit, D.L. Hughes, J.A. Gore, and M.P. Brossett
The Effect of Sample Size on Rapid Bioassessment Scores, U.K. Rai, J.A. Gore, D.L. Hughes, and M.P. Brossett
Taxonomic Resolution and Cost Effectiveness of Rapid Bioassessment, J.A. Williams, J.A. Gore, and M.P. Brossett
Quality Assurance/Quality Control: What Does It Reveal about the Reliability of the Rapid Bioassessment Protocol? T.J. Ferring, J.A. Gore, and D.L. Hughes
The Use of Rapid Bioassessment to Assess the Success of Stormwater Treatment Technologies (Best Management Practices) in Urban Streams, E. Oij, J. Banning, and J.A. Gore
Implementation of the Rapid Bioassessment Protocol, M.P. Brossett, D.L. Hughes, M. de la Rosa, and J.A. Gore
Appendix A: Selected 1998 Georgia Land Use Values for All Stream Sites
Appendix B: Taxonomic References
Appendix C: List of Stream Sites
Appendix D: Discrimination Efficiencies for Metrics Considered for Index Development
Appendix E: Examples of Reference Stream Criteria from the State of Georgia
Appendix F: Examples of Reference Criteria, Numerical Rating Systems, and Discrimination Efficiencies from the State of Georgia
Appendix G: Summary of Biotic Indices and Precision