Tuesday, June 5, 2007
421

Biological Assessment of Coastal Plain Streams in Virginia: A Comparison of Macroinvertebrate and Fish Metrics

Holly S. Houtz and Leonard A. Smock. Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284

Macroinvertebrate and fish community analyses are an important component of stream assessment; however assemblages may differ in their responses to water quality and habitat degradation.  As part of a broader study, we examined the relationships of macroinvertebrate and fish metrics in their assessment of Coastal Plain streams.  Benthic macroinvertebrate and fish communities were sampled, and habitat assessments conducted, at 174 randomly selected sites throughout Virginia’s Coastal Plain.  All streams were first through fourth order, low-gradient, and with sediment primarily of sand or organic matter.  Methods for habitat assessment and macroinvertebrate and fish sampling followed EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for low gradient streams.  A suite of metrics commonly accepted as appropriate indicators of stream habitat and biotic condition were calculated for each site.  The macroinvertebrate and fish community metrics provided a similar assessment of stream quality, though the relationship was not always strong and varied with habitat degradation.  The strength of the correlation of specific macroinvertebrate and fish metrics with each other in response to changes in stream quality varied depending on the metrics.  The results of this study provide insight into the utility of sampling both macroinvertebrate and fish communities as part of bioassessment programs for Coastal Plain streams.

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