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Comparability of a regional and state survey: effects on fish IBI assessment for West Virginia, U.S.A.

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Abstract

Probability-based survey designs are now being investigated to allow condition to be assessed for a discrete population of watershed management units and to infer probability of impairment to other unsampled watersheds. Results can be used to focus further monitoring and restoration efforts. Fish community data and index of biotic integrity (IBI) development were compared between the 1993 and 1998 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment (EMAP-MAIA) survey and a West Virginia Regional EMAP (WV REMAP) survey conducted in 2001–2002. Both designs were based on probability surveys, but the EMAP design treated streams as a continuous linear network comprising an infinite population of points, while the REMAP design used a discrete set of watershed outlets as defined by 12-digit Hydrologic Cataloging Units (HUC12) as the sample population. The comparability of the watershed-based WV REMAP survey design results with the linear network-based EMAP-MAIA survey results for West Virginia was affected by the different size range of watershed areas included in each target population. Once similar watershed area ranges were considered by narrowing the size range included in the West Virginia EMAP-MAIA data set, virtually identical cumulative distribution functions for fish IBI scores were obtained. The reduced variability in reference conditions obtained by applying a restricted range of watershed areas allowed us to detect and correct for ecoregional differences in fish IBI metrics and scores, after excluding the biogeographically distinct Potomac River drainage basin located in the Central Appalachian Ridge and Valley Ecoregion.

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Acknowledgements

Support for collection of fish community, habitat, and water chemistry data was provided by a cooperative agreement between US EPA and the state of West Virginia (No. R-82872001), with additional support provided for temperature monitoring by the US EPA Regional Applied Research Efforts (RARE) program. Watershed delineations for the entire state of West Virginia were made possible through an interagency agreement with USGS EROS Data Center (No. 93897301) and collaborative work by US EPA staff (Sharon L. Batterman). Watershed characterization work was supported through contracts with OAO (FAIR Contract 68-W5, Delivery Order #24) and CSC Corporation (FAIR II Contract 68-01/W02-032, Task Order #024). Water chemistry analyses were provided through contract support at US EPA NERL-Cincinnati. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources data collection staff included J. Cseripko, R. Doyle, M. Everhart, M. Friddell, A. Johnson, D. Wilcox; J. Harrison provided certain GIS coverages for West Virginia. EMAP data were obtained from the US EPA (2004). The information in this document has been funded wholly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has been subjected to review by the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory and approved for publication. We thank Drs. Paul Angermeier, Daniel Campbell, and Henry Walker for providing comments on the original manuscript. Approval does not signify that the contents reflect the views of the Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. This is contribution number AED-07-006 from the US EPA Atlantic Ecology Division.

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  1. Atlantic Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA

    Naomi E. Detenbeck

  2. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Elkins Operation Center, Route 219, 250 South Ward Rd., Elkins, WV, 26241, USA

    Daniel A. Cincotta

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  1. Naomi E. Detenbeck
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Correspondence to Naomi E. Detenbeck.

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Detenbeck, N.E., Cincotta, D.A. Comparability of a regional and state survey: effects on fish IBI assessment for West Virginia, U.S.A.. Hydrobiologia 603, 279–300 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9278-3

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