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Biological Assessment
Biological assessments are evaluations of
the condition of waterbodies using surveys and other direct measurements
of resident biological organisms (macroinvertebrates, fish, and plants).
Biological assessment results are used to answer the question of whether
waterbodies support survival and reproduction of desirable fish, shellfish,
and other aquatic species -- in other words, if the waterbodies meet their
designated aquatic life uses.
The following documents provide information on biological assessment
methods and the status of biological assessment programs in the U.S.
Wadeable Streams Assessment - Lake and Reservoir Bioassessment
and Biocriteria, Technical Guidance Document, August 1998
This document provides managers and field biologists with functional
methods and approaches for bioassessment and biocriteria in lakes and
reservoirs.
- Rapid Bioassessment
Protocols for Use in Wadeable Streams and Rivers: Periphyton, Benthic
Macroinvertebrates, and Fish, 2nd edition
This document describes refined and revised methods for conducting cost-effective
biological assessments of streams and small rivers. It focuses on periphyton,
benthic macroinvertebrates and fish assemblages, and on assessing the
quality of the physical habitat.
2002 Summary of Biological Assessment Programs and Biocriteria Development, Streams and Wadeable Rivers: This site provides updated information on the status of bioassessment programs in states, tribes, territories, and interstate commissions.
Summary
of State Biological Assessment Programs for Streams and Rivers
(1995)
This document summarizes the status of State biological assessment and
criteria programs for wadeable streams and small rivers as of 1995.
Please note this information is provided for historical purposes only,
and has been updated (see above).
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Stressor Identification Guidance
This guidance leads water resource managers through a rigorous process
to identify stressors that cause biological impairment in aquatic ecosystems
and to assemble cogent scientific evidence that supports conclusions
about potential causes.
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Estuaries and Coastal Marine Waters Bioassessment and Biocriteria Technical
Guidance
This technical guidance provides an extensive collection of methods
and protocols for conducting bioassessments in estuarine and coastal
marine waters and the procedures for deriving biocriteria from the results.
Links to other documents and websites:
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