SWAMP Bioassessment Monitoring

Bioassessment

Biological assessment (bioassessment) is an evaluation of the condition of a waterbody based on the organisms living within it. It involves surveying the types and numbers of organisms present in the water and comparing the results to established swamplogo benchmarks of biological health. Scientists and managers around the world use this approach to directly and quantitatively measure the ecological health of a waterbody and to monitor the cumulative impacts of environmental stressors on surface waters.

Benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs) and benthic algae are the primary biota used for bioassessments in California. BMIs are a diverse group of small but visible animals that live at the bottom of rivers and streams. They are comprised mostly of aquatic insects but also include crustaceans, mollusks, and worms. BMI assemblages are found in most waterbodies and are reliable indicators of biological health because they are relatively stationary and respond predictably to a variety of environmental stressors. Benthic algae are also sensitive to environmental stressors and provide environmental condition information that is often complementary to that derived from BMI assemblages. Because of their short lifespans and rapid reproduction rate, algae can respond quickly to changing water conditions. They are also more directly responsive to nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) and are therefore suited for monitoring nutrient runoff, one of the major environmental stressors in California.

SWAMP began conducting bioassessment in 2000. The program continues to work closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory, which has been the primary producer of this technical work. Other major partners include the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) and the California State University experts at Chico, San Jose and San Marcos.

New Releases

Using Multiple Biological and Habitat Condition Indices for Bioassessment of California Streams Technical Memo (July 2016)
Assessment of the Condition of Southern California Depressional Wetlands: Application of Macroinvertebrate, Diatom and Overall Condition Indices for Assessing Southern California Depressional Wetlands (April 2016)
Standard Operating Procedures for the Collection of Field Data for Bioassessments of California Wadeable Streams: Benthic Macroinvertebrates, Algae and Physical Habitat (May 2016)
Benthic Invertebrate and Deposited Sediment TMDL Guidance for the Pajaro River Watershed (March 2016)
A Regional Approach to Evaluating the Biological Condition of Southern California's Wadeable Streams - 2009-2013: The First Five Years of the Southern Monitoring Coalition's Regional Monitoring Program (February 2016)
CSCI Fact Sheet (December 2015)

Website Navigation

	Statewide Bioassessment Program An overview of SWAMP’s statewide bioassessment program, consisting of the Perennial Streams Assessment (PSA) probability survey and Reference Condition Management Program (RCMP).
	Data and Interpretive Tools SWAMP-developed tools for data entry, interpretation, and reporting. Includes the California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) and ecoregion-based Indices of Biological Integrity (IBIs).
	Taxonomic Resources Tools and other helpful resources for identifying BMIs and algae. Includes worksheets, datasheets, and online tools.
	Standard Operating Procedures Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are instructions describing how to perform a specific method or activity. In order to be SWAMP-comparable, bioassessment sampling must be conducted according to SWAMP’s SOPs.
	Training, Field QA, and Collection Permit SWAMP offers various training opportunities in bioassessment through the CDFW and Water Boards Training Academy. Includes calibration exercises, field audits, and the California Aquatic Bioassessment Workgroup meeting.
	Reports and Publications A selection of technical reports, management memos, fact sheets, and other documents related to SWAMP’s work in bioassessment.
	Bioassessment links and resources Online resources related to SWAMP and bioassessment.