Table of Contents

Development of Biological Criteria for Coral Reef Ecosystem Assessment

CHAPTER 1:  Introduction

1.2.1 Assessment Tiers

1.3.1 Characteristics Of Effective Biocriteria 
1.3.2 Development Of Coral Reef Ecosystem Biocriteria 
1.3.3 Advantages Of Bioassessment And Biocriteria 
1.3.4 Program Interdependence 
1.3.5 Implementing Coral Reef Ecosystem Biological Criteria 

CHAPTER 2:  Does Sufficient Need Exist To Prepare A Guidance Document On Coral Reef Ecosystem Biocriteria

2.3.1  Clean Water Act
2.3.2  305(b) Reporting
2.3.3  301(h) And 403(c) Programs
2.3.4  Clean Water Action Plan
2.3.5  Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Requirements

2.4.1  Identifying Impairment Of Special Designated Use Sites
2.4.2  Expansion And Improvement Of Water Quality Standards
2.4.3  Detection Of Problems Other Methods May Miss Or
          Underestimate
2.4.4  Helping The Water Resource Manager Set Priorities
2.4.5  Use Of Bioassessment And Biocriteria To Evaluate The Success
          Or Failure Of Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Initiatives Or
          Regulations

 2.5.1  EPA Ecological Risk Assessment Program Benefits 
 2.5.2  U.S. National Marine Sanctuary Designation Priorities 
 2.5.3  U.S. And International Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring 
           Programs 

CHAPTER 3:  Does Sufficient Information Exist To Draft Biocriteria Guidance

3.3.1  1996 EPA Water Quality Protection Program For The Florida
          Keys National Marine Sanctuary
3.3.2  1996 EPA Water Quality Special Studies Program For The
          Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
3.3.3  Other New Monitoring Initiatives In The Florida Keys National
          Marine Sanctuary
3.3.4  Florida Assessment Of Coastal Trends
3.3.5  State of Florida Environmental Indicator Technical Assistance
          Series
3.3.6  International Umbrella Programs

3.4.1  Scleractinian Coral Bioindicators
3.4.2  Non-coral Bioindicators 

3.5.1  Potential Reference Sites for U.S. Coral Reef Ecosystem
          Biocriteria Program
3.5.2  Conclusion

CHAPTER 4:  What Research And/Or Projects Are Needed To Support Development Of Biological Criteria Guidance For Coral Reef Ecosystem Assessment

4.2.1 Build Upon Promising Areas Of Bioindicator Research In The 
         Research Strategy 
4.2.2 Conduct A Specially Designed Workshop To Suggest Potential 
         New Bioindicators 
4.2.3 Coordinate With Other Government Agencies To Fund The 
         Research Strategy 
4.2.4 Select Coral Reef Ecosystem Bioindicators For The Research 
         Strategy Using The Following 
4.2.5 Develop A Multimetric Approach For Coral Reef Ecosystem 
         Survey Protocols 
4.2.6 Use Multivariate Analysis To Refine Bioindicators 

4.3.1 EPA-EMAP
4.3.2 EPA - Ecological Risk Assessment 
4.3.3 NOAA - National Marine Sanctuaries Program 
4.3.4 NOAA - Special Projects Office - Coastal Assessment & 
         Data Synthesis (CADS) Framework Team 
4.3.5 National Park Service 
4.3.6 CARICOMP - Puerto Rico and Florida Keys 
4.3.7 Florida Center For Public Management 

4.5.1 Evaluate The Usefulness Of Appropriate Past Short-term 
         Monitoring Data 
4.5.2 Designate Reference Sites As National Marine Sanctuaries 

REFERENCES

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