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
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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
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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
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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.
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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)
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Tiered Aquatic Life Use (TALU)
• States and Tribes can (and have) used
biological Information to refine (or “tier”)
aquatic life uses
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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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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
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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
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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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
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Regulatory Issues: TALU
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Tiered Uses
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Tiered Objectives
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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
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Use in 305(b) or 303(d) assessments?
Use in permits for compliance/enforcement?
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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
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Biological Information and criteria play a role in all
facets of water quality management
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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
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