Transcript 11-Color-Instr-Biocriteria-nosounds

Module 11
Biological Criteria
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Theme
“The true health of our aquatic
environments is reflected by the
biological communities that reside
within them”
Prof. J. Karr
University of Washington
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CWA
Section 101
Objective
To Restore & Maintain
the Chemical, Physical,
& Biological Integrity
of the Nation's
Waters
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CWA
Section 101
Objective
To Restore & Maintain
the Chemical, Physical,
& Biological Integrity
of the Nation's
Waters
Sec 303(c) WQS that
serve the purposes of the Act
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Elements Of Ecological
Integrity
BIOLOGICAL
INTEGRITY
CHEMICAL ECOLOGICAL PHYSICAL
INTEGRITY INTEGRITY INTEGRITY
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Biological Integrity
The ability of an aquatic ecosystem to
support and maintain a balanced adaptive
community of organisms having a species
composition, diversity, and functional
organization comparable to that of
natural habitats within a region
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Biological Integrity
The ability of an aquatic ecosystem to
support and maintain a balanced adaptive
community of organisms having a species
composition, diversity, and functional
organization comparable to that of
natural habitats within a region
CLASSIFICATION
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Biological Integrity
The ability of an aquatic ecosystem to
support and maintain a balanced adaptive
community of organisms having a species
composition, diversity, and functional
organization comparable to that of
natural habitats within a region
REFERENCE
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CLASSIFICATION
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Biological Integrity
QUANTITIVE MEASURES
The ability of an aquatic ecosystem to
support and maintain a balanced adaptive
community of organisms having a species
composition, diversity, and functional
organization comparable to that of
natural habitats within a region
REFERENCE
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CLASSIFICATION
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Examples of Direct Measures of Community
Structure and Function
 Number of individuals
 Proportion
 Distribution of feeding groups
 Tolerant/Intolerant Species
 Diseases and Anomalies
 Native/Non-native Species
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BIOASSESSMENTS
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Bioassessments are
evaluations of the
biological condition
of a waterbody using
surveys of the
structure & function
of a community of
resident biota (e.g.
the interrelated
plants and animals
living in a waterbody
including fish, bugs,
amphibians,
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diatoms).
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Fish community bioassessment
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Invertebrate community
bioassessment using a kicknet
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Invertebrate community bioassessment
using a Surber sampler
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Mayfly
Slimy Sculpin
Stonefly
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Minimally disturbed, forested
watershed in Maine
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Midges
Snails
Leeches
Stream draining a shopping mall in Maine
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Definitions
Attribute: any measurable component of a biological
system.
Metric:attribute that shows a quantitative change in
value along a gradient of human influence.
Multimetric Index: a number that integrates several
biological metrics to express a site’s
condition or health.
Ex: Index of Biological Integrity (IBI): Fish
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RBP Recommended Metrics
Predicted response to
Category
Metric
increasing perturbation
Total No. taxa
Decrease
No. EPT taxa
Decrease
Richness
No. Ephemeroptera Taxa Decrease
measures
No. Plecoptera Taxa
Decrease
No. Trichoptera Taxa
Decrease
Composition % EPT
Decrease
measures
% Ephemeroptera
Decrease
Tolerance & No. of Intolerant Taxa
Decrease
Intolerance % Tolerant Organisms
Increase
measures
% Dominant Taxon
Increase
Feeding
% Filterers
Variable
measures
% Grazers and Scrapers Decrease
Habit
Number of Clinger Taxa Decrease
measures
% Clingers
Decrease
http://www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/rbp/ch07b.html
Approx.
Upstream
Distance
(miles)
from MBD
Station
ID
Year
1981
Average
1989
1990
1999
2000
2001*
39.3
43.6
47.0
51.2
22.5
I80
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WB
19
AH
17.5
FJR
14.5
SS
11.5
NW
10.5
DO
60.5
8
CN
34.2
6.5
ND
5
LNX
3.5
NB
2
NIX
71.0
0
MBD
58.2
16.3
44.7
45.5
25.6
59.2
27.7
45.2
51.3
47.3
Average
PLPT Biological Index
Score and Narrative Rating
63.6
1996
18.7
35.8
46.5
33.7
47.0
52.8
51.2
25.1
39.0
49.1
59.4
38.9
51.2
47.3
80.8
59.9
51.7
52.7
45.9
*
51.5
45.5
47.9
*
45.9
40.1
73.8
40.1
35.3
28.3
47.1
47.3
59.3
50.5
48.9
55.1
54.1
*
54.6
63.3
45.8
45.4
57.6
50.1
*
56.1
38.1
50.7
51.2
47.5
100-80
Excellent
69-60
Good
49-40
Poor
79-70
Very Good
59-50
Fair
39-0
Very Poor
Value Of Biological Information:
Ohio Comparison Of Biosurvey
With Chemical Evaluation
Chemical Evaluation
Indicates No Impairment
Chemical Prediction &
Biosurvey Agree
Biosurvey Shows
Impairment
36%
Biosurvey Shows
No Impairment
Chemical Evaluation
Indicates Impairment
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6%
58%
WHY?
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Use of Biological Information
Listing of
Impaired Waters
(CWA §303d)
Point-source
Discharge Permitting
(CWA §402)
Comprehensive
Watershed
Assessments
Hazardous Waste
Site Assessments
(CWA §104e)
Comparative Risk
Assessment
Use of
Bioassessment
Results
Nonpoint Source
Assessment
Evaluation of
Habitat
Modifications
(CWA §401)
Aquatic Life Use
Designations
(CWA §319)
(CWA §305b)
Reporting of
Condition of Waters
(CWA §305b)
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Wet Weather
Discharge
(CSOs, Stormwater)
From: Chris Yoder, Midwest Biodiversity Group
Water Quality
Standards & Criteria
(CWA §303c)
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What is Biological Condition
Gradient (BCG)?
It is a scientific framework for determining
biological response to anthropogenic stress.
Longstanding, accepted science
Measurable and predictable
Based on bioassessments
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Stress
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The Biological Condition Gradient – Levels
Natural structure & function of biotic community maintained
1
2
Minimal changes in structure & function
3
Evident changes in structure and
minimal changes in function
4
Moderate changes in structure &
minimal changes in function
Major changes in structure &
moderate changes in function
5
Severe changes in structure & function
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Increasing Levels of Stressors
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Undisturbed/Minimally
Disturbed Stream
Stoneflies
Dragonflies,
Damselflies
Mayflies
Beetles
Caddisflies
Midges
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1 inch
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Courtesy of Susan Davies, ME DEP
Nutrient Enriched
Stream
Crane flies
Caddisflies
Non-insects
Beetles
Midges
Blackflies
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inch
Stoneflies
Mayflies
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Courtesy of Susan Davies, ME DEP
Drainage from a
Shopping Mall Parking
Lot
Scuds
Snails
Leeches
Caddisflies
Midges
Beetles
Craneflies
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1 inch
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Courtesy of Susan Davies, ME DEP
Classification
Ecoregions:
 Identifies Regions of Ecological
Similarity from Which To Select
Reference Sites.
 Biological Conditions Expected to
be the same.
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Ecoregions Of Ohio
Eastern
Corn Belt
Plains
Huron-Erie
Lake Plain
Eastern
Corn Belt
Plains
Erie-Ontario
Lake Plain
Western
Allegheny
Plateau
Interior
Plateau
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How Can This Information Help
Us In WQS ?
• States and Tribes can (and have) used
biological Information to refine (or “tier”)
aquatic life uses
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•
•
•
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Help determine“ highest attainable” use(s)
Develop criteria to protect them
Develop goals for incremental progress
Clearer communication to the public
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Biological Condition Gradient-Protect HQ Waters
Natural structure and function of biotic community maintained
Biological Condition
1
2
X
Minimal changes in structure & function
3
Evident changes in structure and
minimal changes in function
4
Moderate changes in structure
& minimal changes in function
Major changes in structure &
moderate changes in function
5
Severe changes in structure & function
6
Increasing Level of Stress
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Biological Condition Gradient – Incremental Goals
Natural structure and function of biotic community maintained
1
2
Minimal changes in structure & function
3
Evident changes in structure and
minimal changes in function
4
Moderate changes in structure
& minimal changes in function
Major changes in structure &
moderate changes in function
5
Severe changes in structure & function
6
Increasing Level of Stress
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Designated Aquatic Life Uses: Maine Example
1
Class AA/A: Aquatic life as naturally occurs
2
Class B: Ambient water quality
sufficient to support life stages
3 of all indigenous species.
Class C: Ambient WQ sufficient
to support life stages of all
indigenous fish species &
maintain structure & function.
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Increasing Level of Stressors
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Maine Tiered Uses Based on Measurable
Ecological Values
Narrative Standard
CLASS A
natural
CLASS B
unimpaired, maintain
indigenous taxa
CLASS C
maintain structure
and function
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Ecological Value
Quantifiable Measures
Taxonomic and Numeric
Equality ; Presence of
Indicator Taxa
Similarity, Richness,
Abundance, Diversity; EPT,
Indicator Taxa, Biotic Index
Retention of taxa and
numbers; Absence of
hyperdominance;
Presence of sensitive taxa
Resistance, Redundancy;
Resilience; Balanced
Distribution
Energy Transfer; Resource
assimilation; Reproduction
Community loss; Richness;
Abundance; diversity; equitability;
evenness; EPT; Indicator Taxa,
Biotic Index
Richness; Diversity;
Equitability; Evenness
Trophic groups; Richness;
abundance; community loss;
fecundity; colonization rate
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Narrative and Numeric Biocriteria


Narrative Biocriteria- General
Statements of Desired Level of
Biological Condition for a Given Use
Designation.
Numeric Biocriteria- Specific
Quantitative Measures (e.g., Metrics)
of Desired Level of Biological
Condition for a Given Use Designation.
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Developing Biocriteria
Select standardized, consistent Bioassay Protocols
Classify water bodies into similar groups or classes
Identify reference sites in each class
Conduct bioassessments at reference sites in each class
Derive Biocriteria (Technical)
MMI: Select responsive metrics
Develop scoring for each metric
Aggregate metrics
Develop Biocriteria for each Aquatic Life Use
Apply Biocriteria to all Water Bodies
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Applying Biocriteria
Sample test sites and compare to biocriteria
Impaired Condition
Diagnose Cause of
Impairment
Not Impaired
No Action Required
(Continue Monitoring)
Implement Corrections
(Continue Monitoring)
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Tiered Aquatic Life Uses
(TALU)
• Management Goals for protection and
restoration of aquatic life (aquatic life
uses)
• Detailed biological information about the
characteristics of aquatic organisms
expected in a waterbody
• Quantifiable (biological criteria)
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TALU Benefits
 Demonstrate environmental outcomes
- What we are measuring is what we are trying to protect
 Strengthen Water Management Programs
- More precisely define and measure aquatic life goals
- Better assess current and potential conditions
- Quantify progress towards meeting aquatic life goals
- More effectively communicate the health of the waters
to the public
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Bioassessment-based ALUS
and Criteria:
Take Away Messages
• DIRECT MEASURE OF RESOURCE WE
ARE TRYING TO PROTECT
• SET GOALS BASED ON POTENTIAL
• CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF ALL
STRESSORS
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WQS PROGRAM:
Take Away Messages
• Biological criteria have attributes that
chemical criteria do not
• Biological Information and criteria play a
role in all facets of water quality
management
• Biological Information can be used to
develop more appropriate aquatic life uses
and the criteria to protect them.
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