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Module 11 Biological Criteria 1
Module 11 Biological Criteria 1 Theme “The true health of our aquatic environments is reflected by the biological communities that reside within them” Prof. J. Karr University of Washington 2 Aquatic Life Use Support in California Warm Freshwater Habitat Cold Freshwater Habitat Fish Spawning Fish Migration Wildlife Habitat Preservation of Biological Habitats of Special Significance Rare and Endangered Species Aquaculture Freshwater Replacement Saline Water Habitat Estuarine Habitat Marine Habitat ALUS Designations applied broadly to waterbody types Objectives largely expressed as a narrative Biocriteria would provide quantitative tools for ALUS protection 3 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 4 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 CLASSIFICATION 5 Classification and Reference Concept of the Ecoregion: 9 Identifies regions of ecological similarity from which to select reference sites. 9 Biological conditions expected to be the same. 6 SWAMP Statewide Stream Survey 100 Samples per year 5 Ecoregions 4 Landuse categories Agriculture Urban Forested Other C-1 B-2 C-2 B-1 Plus reference condition Program (75 per year) A= NorthCoast B= Oak Chaparral C= Sierra D= Central Valley E= SMC Other A D E 7 Direct Quantitative Measures of Community Structure and Function 9 Number of individuals 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 Relative abundance Species composition Diversity Distribution of functional groups Tolerant/Intolerant Species Diseases and Anomalies Native/Non-native Species 8 Definitions 9 Attribute. Any measurable component of a biological system. 9 Metric. Attribute that shows a quantitative change in value along a gradient of human influence. 9 Multimetric Index. Integrates several biological metrics to express a site’s condition or health. 9 Biological communities respond to anthropogenic stress. The response is measurable and predictable BioCondition Theory behind bioassessments Stress 10 BIOASSESSMENTS 11 Fish community bioassessment 12 Invertebrate community bioassessment using a kicknet 13 Algae chlorophyll a taxonomic id’s ash-free dry mass 14 14 Mayfly Slimy Sculpin Stonefly Minimally disturbed, forested watershed in Maine 15 Midges Snails Leeches Stream draining a shopping mall in Maine 16 Undisturbed/Minimally Disturbed Stream Stoneflies Dragonflies, Damselflies Mayflies Beetles Caddisflies Midges 1 inch 17 Courtesy of Susan Davies, ME DEP Nutrient Enriched Stream Crane flies Caddisflies Non-insects Beetles Midges Blackflies 1 inch Stoneflies Mayflies 18 Courtesy of Susan Davies, ME DEP Drainage from a Shopping Mall Parking Lot Scuds Snails Leeches Caddisflies Beetles Midges Craneflies 1 inch 19 Courtesy of Susan Davies, ME DEP 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 6% 58% WHY? 20 Aquatic Life Use in California (incorporating biology in water quality standards) Bioassessment Nutrient Criteria Bugs pHab IBI O/E Wetland Policy Numeric Nutrient Endpoints Algae CRAM Algae Fish? CRAM Sediment Quality Objectives Benthic Response Indices 21 Development of Bioassessment Tools in California Habitat Algae Invertebrates Fish Ephemeral Y Intermittent Y ? ? ? pHab CRAM % cover Biomass Algal IBI IBI or O/E ? Rivers pHab CRAM Y Y Y Lakes/Reservoirs pHab CRAM Y Y Y Bay/Estuaries CRAM Y BRI, Y Y So Cal BRI So Cal Fish Index22 Perennial Coast/Ocean Developing Biocriteria in CA SWAMP Standardized biological protocols Classify water bodies into similar groups or classes Identify reference sites in each class Conduct bioassessments at reference sites in each class Develop Assessment Tool STANDARDS Develop Biocriteria for each Aquatic Life Use Apply Biocriteria to all Water Bodies 23 Narrative and Numeric Biocriteria 9 9 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. 24 Use of Biological Information Listing of Impaired Waters Reporting of Condition of Waters (CWA §303d) (CWA §303c) (CWA §305b) Nonpoint Source Assessment (CWA §319) Water Quality Standards & Criteria Use of Bioassessment Results Comprehensive Watershed Assessments Point-source Discharge Permitting (CWA §402) Evaluation of Habitat Modifications (CWA §401) Wet Weather Discharge (CSOs, Stormwater) 25 Tiered Aquatic Life Use (TALU) • States and Tribes can (and have) used biological Information to refine (or “tier”) aquatic life uses • • • • Help determine“ highest attainable” use(s) Develop criteria to protect them Develop goals for incremental progress Clearer communication to the public 26 The Biological Condition Gradient – Levels Natural structure & function of biotic community maintained 1 Biological Condition 2 Minimal changes in structure & function 3 Evident changes in structure and minimal changes in function Moderate changes in structure & 4 minimal changes in function Major changes in structure & moderate changes in function 5 Severe changes in structure & function 6 Increasing Levels of Stressors 27 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 28 Biological Condition Gradient – Incremental Goals Natural structure and function of biotic community maintained 1 Biological Condition 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 29 Designated Aquatic Life Uses: Maine Example 1 Class AA/A: Aquatic life as naturally occurs Biological Condition 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. 6 Increasing Level of Stressors 30 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 Ecological Value Taxonomic and Numeric Equality ; Presence of Indicator Taxa Retention of taxa and numbers; Absence of hyperdominance; Presence of sensitive taxa Resistance, Redundancy; Resilience; Balanced Distribution Energy Transfer; Resource assimilation; Reproduction Quantifiable Measures Similarity, Richness, Abundance, Diversity; EPT, Indicator Taxa, Biotic Index 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 31 100 Deer Creek 90 Arroy o Seco Creek East Twin Creek 80 Data from Southern California Analyzed for TALU Pilot (Tetra Tech, 2006) 70 SoCal IBI 60 Ham Cany on 50 Rustic Cany on Creek 40 San Gabrial Riv er 30 20 10 0 -10 0 1 2 3 4 5 LDI 6 7 8 9 32 100 Southern California TALU Pilot (Tetra Tech, 2006) N=140 90 80 N=103 70 SoCal IBI 60 50 40 N=43 N=29 30 20 10 0 -10 1 - Foothills (>1200 f t) 3 - Channelized (<1200 f t) 2 - Natural (<1200 f t) 4 - Concrete-lined (<1200 f t) Site Categories Median 25%-75% Non-Outlier Range Outliers Extremes 33 Regulatory Issues: TALU Tiered Uses Tiered Objectives How to define tiered uses? How to set expectations for each tiered use? Statewide Plan vs. Basin Plans? Narrative objectives with interpretive tools? or Numeric biological objectives? Guidance Use in 305(b) or 303(d) assessments? Use in permits for compliance/enforcement? 34 Biological Criteria • Biological Information can be used to develop more appropriate aquatic life uses and the criteria to protect them. • Biological criteria have attributes that chemical criteria do not: - Direct measure of resource we are trying to protect - Cumulative impacts of all stressors • Biological Information and criteria play a role in all facets of water quality management 35 TALU Benefits Strengthens Water Management Programs: - More precisely define and measure aquatic life goals - Better assess current and potential conditions - Quantify progress towards meeting aquatic life goal - Demonstrate environmental outcomes - More effectively communicate the health of the waters to the public 36