2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
6/06/2017 | 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM | ELIMINATING ANALYST BIAS IN DIATOM ASSESSMENT | 301A
ELIMINATING ANALYST BIAS IN DIATOM ASSESSMENT
To determine the biotic condition of freshwaters, many agencies rely on diatom species and their associated ecological attributes. Taxonomic consistency, however, is lacking to the point that “analyst bias” is a barrier to completion of project goals. To solve this problem, we present a protocol to eliminate analyst bias in diatom analysis. Elements of the protocol are 1) development of an a priori diatom voucher flora for each project, 2) light micrograph characterization of each taxon by morphologic and size range, with each taxon assigned an OTU code, 3) random assignment of samples to analysts, preventing the confounding of geographic distribution with identification, 4) evaluation of differences within samples (natural variation on slides) and between analysts (taxonomic consistency) by a rigorous QA/QC process, 5) utilization of QA/QC as a basis for evaluation of site differences, and 6) finally, at the last stage, assignment of formal names to OTUs using the Diatoms of the United States flora and other references cited within the USGS BioData system. The protocol leads to transparent and verifiable taxonomic consistency across analysts and saves money compared to current practices.
- C17 Bioassessment
- C35 Systematics and Taxonomy
- S27 Advancing Consistency in Ecological Assessments
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Presenters/Authors
Sarah Spaulding
(), US Geological Survey, sspaulding@usgs.gov;
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Ian Bishop
(), University of Rhode Island, bishopia@uri.edu;
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Meredith Tyree
(), University of Colorado, meredith.tyree@colorado.edu;
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Sylvia Lee
(), U.S. EPA, lee.sylvia@epa.gov;
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