Climate Change Effects on Stream and River Biological Indicators: A Preliminary Analysis (Final Report)

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Overview

EPA announced the availability of the final report,Climate Change Effects on Stream and River Biological Indicators: A Preliminary Analysis. This report is a preliminary assessment that describes how biological indicators are likely to respond to climate change, how well current sampling schemes may detect climate-driven changes, and how likely it is that these sampling schemes will continue to detect impairment.

Citation

U.S. EPA. Climate Change Effects on Stream and River Biological Indicators: A Preliminary Analysis (Final Report). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-07/085F, 2008.

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Background

The Clean Water Act mandates that states assess the biological, chemical, and physical condition of their aquatic resources using biological indicators that compare reference and non-reference sites to measure condition. The Office of Water developed guidance documents for establishing biocriteria in rivers and streams, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands, and is developing biocriteria for coral reefs. Climate change is projected to affect aquatic ecosystems through changes in water temperature, hydrological cycles, and degree days. This report is a preliminary analysis of how biological indicators are likely to respond to climate change, how well current sampling schemes may detect climate-driven changes, and how likely it is that these sampling schemes will continue to detect impairment. The results and recommendations are an initial step towards helping biocriteria programs modify assessment activities to account for climate change effects and ensure that management goals continue to be met. The report is intended for managers and scientists working on biological indicators, bioassessment, and biocrit

History/Chronology

Date	Description
01- Mar 2007	EPA hosted a workshop on Climate Change Effects on Biological Indicators in Baltimore, MD from March 27-29, 2007.
02- May 2007	EPA conducted an internal review of the document.
03- Jun 2007	Presentation at NABS (North American Benthological Society).
04- Aug 2007	EPA releases an External Review Draft.
05- Oct 2007	External peer review meeting is held.
06- Feb 2008	EPA hosted a workshop on Bioindicators and Climate Change in Crystal City, VA Feb 19-21, 2008.
07- Apr 2008	EPA releases the final report.

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Download(s)

This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

Climate Change Effects on Stream and River Biological Indicators: A Preliminary Analysis (Final Report) (PDF) (119 pp, 2.8 MB, about PDF)
First Climate Change Bioindicators Workshop Summary Report (PDF) (25 pp, 125.0 KB, about PDF)
Second Climate Change Bioindicators Workshop Report (PDF) (26 pp, 147.5 KB, about PDF)
Presentation at NABS (North American Benthological Society) in June 2007 (PDF) (22 pp, 648.4 KB, about PDF)
link to meeting site: www.benthos.org/Meeting/nabs2007/index.htm
link to NABS: www.benthos.org/index.cfm

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