Stream Physical Habitat Data Elements: Request for ACWI Approval

1. Stream Physical Habitat Data Elements:Request for ACWI Approval Methodsand Data Comparability Board Herndon, VA, Feb. 10, 2009

2. Stream Physical Habitat Data Elements • Background • Objectives • Description of new data elements

3. Workgroup Members and Liaisons State/Interstate/Academia *Revital Katznelson, UC-Berkeley Ext LeAnne Astin, Fairfax Co., VA Mike Henebry, State of IL Mike Miller, State of WI Nonprofit/Volunteer Eric Russell, Surfrider Foundation ESAR / WQX BioData /BioShare Federal *Faith Fitzpatrick, USGS Eli Greenbaum, ORNL Eric Vowinkel, USGS Dan Sullivan, USGS Karen Blocksom, EPA Chuck Spooner, EPA Tom Busiahn, USFWS Phil Kaufmann, EPA

4. Objectives • Promote methods and data comparability through improved data documentation • Identify commonalities among existing PHAB Protocols and Data Management Systems • Support ESAR/WQX teams’ effort in integrating PHAB Results and metadata into their data exchange tools • Develop a list of core data elements for PHAB, and integrate them with existing WQDE modules.

5. What is physical habitat? • Habitat = the set of conditions that support and control species distribution and abundance • Physical habitat = the physical structure (in this case, of streams). Includes some “biological” elements like vegetation that affect structure

6. Elements of physical habitat • Stream size and gradient • Sinuosity • Substrate size and stability • Habitat complexity and cover • Woody debris size and abundance • Residual pool dimensions and frequency • Riparian vegetation cover and structure • Anthropogenic disturbances • Channel-riparian interaction

7. Spatial elements – typical QW sampling site Typical Stream Chemistry Sampling: Point

8. Spatial elements – habitat survey

9. Data elements are modular • 1.0 Contact • 1.1 Data source (data owner, sampling entity, etc.) • 1.1.1 Organization formal name • 2.0 Results • 2.1 Result Value • 2.2.1 Result value unit of measure • 3.0 Reason for sampling • 4.0 Date/Time • Etc.

10. New data elements 3.0 Reasons for Sampling • 3.1 Reason for Sample Collection • 3.1.1 Spatial Intent • 3.1.2 Temporal Intent

11. New data elements (cont) 6.0 Sample Collection • 6.1 Sample Type • 6.1.2 Habitat Category Sampled • 6.1.3 Sample spatial component • 6.1.4 Parent spatial framework • 6.1.4.1 Parent location relative to permanent station

12. 6.1.2 Habitat category sampled • Examples: • Channel hydraulics • Channel geometry • Streambed substrate/sediment • Bank/riparian measurements • Habitat complexity and cover • Flow/hydrology • Multiple/integrated

13. 6.1.3 Sample spatial component and 6.1.4 Parent spatial framework 6.1.4 6.1.3 Transect #3

14. 6.1.3 Sample spatial component and 6.1.4 Parent spatial framework 6.1.4 6.1.3 Stream reach Transect point Transect #3

15. 6.1.4.1 Parent location relative to permanent station Endpoint of sampling reach 5.0 Location of permanent station

16. New data elements (cont) • 6.5 Sample Collection Method • 6.5.4 Sample Collection Criteria • Indicate any particular conditions that must be present in order for sample to be valid • Examples: • Max. depth must be less than 1 m in order to sample • Flow velocity must be less than 0.3 m/sec • Etc.

17. New data elements (cont) • 7.0 Sample Analysis and QA/QC • 7.9.2 Sample Batch ID • All samples collected in one trip that share field duplicates, blanks, and other quality checks for sample integrity • 7.9.3 Result Batch ID • All the field measurement results that share repeated measurements and other quality checks for reproducibility, or that were collected by one instrument between a calibration and the subsequent accuracy check

18. Future Directions • Outreach • Presentations, workshops • Demonstrations • Update User Guide • Incorporate new data elements • Include examples for clarity • Provide tools

19. Questions & Resolution troutnut.com