Assessing The Efficacy Of EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (RBP) For Macroinvertebrates In Coastal Plains Streams
Marsha G. Williams, School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210; (614)688-4210; FAX (614) 292-3523; williams.2365@osu.edu
Lance R. Williams, Environmental and Natural Resources Management Division, U.S. Army, 1823 23rd Street, Fort Polk, LA 71459
James D. Hudson III, Environmental and Natural Resources Management Division, U.S. Army, 1823 23rd Street, Fort Polk, LA 71459
From summer 2001 to spring 2003, we collected fishes and macroinvertebrates quarterly at 10 sites on Birds and Whisky Chitto Creeks. These Coastal Plains streams are located on the Fort Polk Military Base in West-Central Louisiana. We used a surber sampler and D-frame kick-nets to collect macroinvertebrates in all available microhabitats. We used multivariate analyses to examine the relationship between macroinvertebrate assemblages and physical stream habitat, including data on land use at each site. The goals of this project were to assess the impact of sedimentation on stream biota and the efficacy of constructed sediment basins in controlling silt influx into the system. In summer 2003, we began a new project to examine how differences in sampling methodologies would influence results of bioassessments. In August 2003, we used the Environmental Protection Agency's Rapid Bioassessment Protocol (RBP) to assess biota at the same 10 sites on Birds and Whisky Chitto Creeks. Data from the RBP assessment were compared to results from the earlier study of these two streams. Specifically we address how differences in sampling methods, timing of sampling, and analytical approaches will change the results of a bioassessment. The ultimate goal is to design a bioassessment protocol that will be effective for sand-bed, Coastal Plains streams in the southeastern United States.