2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
6/08/2017 | 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM | ASSESSING PROTECTION AND INCREMENTAL RESTORATION OF AQUATIC ASSEMBLAGES USING THE BIOLOGICAL CONDITION GRADIENT (BCG) | 302A
ASSESSING PROTECTION AND INCREMENTAL RESTORATION OF AQUATIC ASSEMBLAGES USING THE BIOLOGICAL CONDITION GRADIENT (BCG)
The BCG is a conceptual framework for characterizing the structure and function of aquatic assemblages in comparison to natural, undisturbed conditions. Six condition levels ranging from natural to severely-altered are recognized and are associated with biological samples by expert panels. Panelists determine metric decision rules to calibrate a model. The BCG model incorporates value judgments of the expert panel so that each level is meaningful to water resource managers to attain a widely understood standard of biological condition. With six levels, management actions can be prioritized to target sites with vulnerabilities or opportunities. In application, exceptional waterbodies can be expected to have conditions aligning with BCG levels 1 or 2. Implementation of restoration activities are expected to result in biological lift for a waterbody, leading to, for example, changing from level 5 to 4. Calibrations in Indiana, California, Connecticut, and Alabama illustrate approaches to interpreting biological conditions in the context of multimetric indices, regional reference conditions, and restoration potential. Application of a BCG model alone or with other cross-walked indicators can show improvements relative to meaningful and precise condition targets.
- C17 Bioassessment
- C36 Water Resource Management
- S26 Biological Success Criteria for Stream Restoration Project Monitoring: Are We Still Searching for Unicorns?
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Presenters/Authors
Benjamin Jessup
(), Tetra Tech, Inc., benjamin.jessup@tetratech.com;
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Jen Stamp
(), Tetra Tech, jen.stamp@tetratech.com;
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James Stribling
(), Tetra Tech, Inc., james.stribling@tetratech.com;
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Michael Paul
(), Tetra Tech, Inc., Michael.Paul@tetratech.com;
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