Click on the links below for information regarding PNAMP endorsed recommendations to the Executive Network.
- Methods for the collection and analysis of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in wadeable streams of the Pacific Northwest
- Best Practices for Reporting Location and Time Related Data
- Data Management Needs for Regional Project Tracking to Support Implementation and Effectiveness Monitoring
- Salmonid Field Protocols Handbook: Techniques For Assessing Status and Trends in Salmon and Trout Populations
- More to come...
Methods for the collection and analysis of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in wadeable streams of the Pacific Northwest
Editor: Gretchen Hayslip Date: 6/12/2007 View Document
The sampling protocols described in this document were designed to generate data sufficient to characterize the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage and evaluate impacts from human caused disturbances. The purpose of this protocol is to characterize the macroinvertebrate assemblage for a stream reach as an indicator of biological integrity and stream health. It is not intended to characterize the condition of individual stream habitats or to provide data to analyze the macroinvertebrates as a food source for fish.
This protocol describes field, laboratory and data analysis methods for benthic macroinvertebrates. It is highly recommended that other physical habitat, biological and/or water quality data also be collected at any given site. PNAMP continues to strive to produce recommendations regarding protocols for these types of data in the near future.
We recognize that integrating existing methods requires significant work by program staff and we would like to acknowledge the contribution of many experts to create this product. The concept for a standardized protocol on this topic emerged from the Northwest Biological Assessment Workgroup (NBAW) and the members of NBAW were primary contributors and reviewers of this product. This protocol was synthesized from the following protocols:
- Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
- Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology, 2001)
- Multi-federal agency sponsored monitoring program (U.S.F.S., 2004)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (Peck et al., 2006)
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s National Aquatic Monitoring Center (Hawkins et al., 2001)
These collection procedures, along with other environmental data, will allow analysis of biotic data with either multi-metric [e.g., an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI)] or predictive models [e.g., River InVertebrate Prediction and Classification System (RIVPACS)] methods. Use of these procedures will allow users to share data, express their data in terms of standardized bioassessment measures, and thus directly compare their results with all other parties using these methods. Their general use does not preclude use of other sampling procedures that may be needed to address the specific objectives of individual projects.
Best Practices for Reporting Location and Time Related Data
Author: Northwest Environmental Data Network Date: 3/12/2007 View Document
This document was developed by the Northwest Environmental Data-Network (NED) and was approved for distribution by the NED Steering Committee. The data management interests of PNAMP have a strong relationship to those of NED, and there is overlap in participation and expertise. The document describes what the NED Steering Committee considers to be the minimum set of location and time information that should be used for collection and reporting. The best practices are not meant to limit the collection of additional information that may be pertinent to, and best determined by, the collecting organization.
PNAMP and NED would like to emphasize that these best practices have been prepared for users who are not presently tracking environmental project data within a geographic information system (GIS) and who are managing their information within a database or spreadsheet and/or for those using nonconforming metrics. For users who are already employing GIS systems and using spatial standards to track monitoring and restoration projects, it is strongly encouraged that they continue to do so and to track similar elements using established state and federal data and metadata (information about data) standards.
We realize that any change in standards requires effort and bears some cost; therefore, we would like to emphasize that adoption of consistent standards would result in reducing the burden of data integration and error checking. This document attempts to address this and move the region toward a more robust and functional methodology that will allow a higher level of data standardization.
Data Management Needs for Regional Project Tracking to Support Implementation and Effectiveness Monitoring
Author: Katz et al. Date: 10/30/2006 View Document
Regionally, we see an increasing need to validate the effectiveness of restoration projects. However, to design efficient effectiveness monitoring programs, it is essential first to obtain specific information on the what, where and when of the restoration that has occurred or is planned for the near term. This proposal describes project-level information that is needed for both implementation and effectiveness monitoring, including justification, design and performance requirements.
Currently, there is a wide diversity of restoration project tracking systems in the region-- largely designed to track contracts and work elements rather than meet the needs of effectiveness monitoring. This proposal describes the steps needed to advance beyond the status quo and provide the additional information requirements of research, monitoring and evaluation. It has grown and been refined by experiences with the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), the Pacific Northwest Habitat Restoration Project Tracking Database (PNSHPTD), and the National River Restoration Science Synthesis (NRRSS) and refines and adds to these efforts.
Salmonid Field Protocols Handbook: Techniques For Assessing Status and Trends in Salmon and Trout Populations
Author: Johnson et al. Date: 9/29/2006 View Document
The Handbook was published by the American Fisheries Society in association with the State of the Salmon and was developed in collaboration with dozens of fisheries experts (many working for PNAMP member entities) throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The Handbook describes 18 monitoring techniques for salmonids and covers sampling designs and data management strategies that will help field practitioners and managers generate, maintain and share quality field data. The Handbook was improved through extensive peer review by PNAMP and others.
The Steering Committee recognizes that the level of detail on the techniques profiled in the Handbook is somewhat variable, and some broadly used monitoring methods currently applied and considered effective are not included. However, the document presents noteworthy advancement of existing methods and offers a crucial foundation for subsequent development and refinement by PNAMP and others. The Steering Committee expects to continue forward by facilitating future expansions and improvement of methods, and would appreciate your organization's continued participation in the review of other existing and new monitoring methods.
Nothing in the protocols or PNAMP's endorsement is intended to diminish existing authorities for information collection or reporting. However, the Handbook is a significant step toward improved transparency and should be useful toward improved implementation of consistent methods. The full document can downloaded at
http://www.stateofthesalmon.org/fieldprotocols/
