Tuesday, May 27, 2008
188

Evaluation of a long-term monitoring protocol for aquatic invertebrates occurring in small streams in the heartland inventory & monitoring network, national park service: Reassessment of the study design, data integrity, and a proposal to revise the prot

David E. Bowles, Heartland Inventory & Monitoring Network, US National Park Service, Wilsons Creek National Battlefield, 6424 W. Farm Road 182, Republic, MO 65738

The National Park Service (NPS) began an intensive program to monitor water quality and invertebrate community structure in Midwestern prairie streams in 1988.  An official invertebrate monitoring protocol using several invertebrate community metrics was published in 1999. The four parks included in this protocol were:  Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (AGAT), Homestead National Monument of America (HOME), Pipestone National Monument (PIPE), and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield (WICR). The monitoring objectives of this protocol were: 1) Determine the annual status and trends of invertebrate community metrics (Taxa Richness, Family Diversity, EPT richness, EPT/Chironomidae, Family Biotic Index), and 2) relate invertebrate community metrics as indicators of water quality and habitat condition.  For each park, I summarize and assess the data collected for the periods, 1988-1989 and 1996-2004.  The data from the four parks for the period of record shows that invertebrate metrics calculated among sampling years varies considerably and without apparent trend.  My analysis of the data and revaluation of the protocol design suggest that the metrics and protocol design may be inadequate to detect stream disturbance.  I identify and describe a number of potential improvements to the protocol that better meet program goals and objectives. 


Web Page: monitoring, streams, invertebrates

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