Rapid Bioassessment and Macroinvertebrate Survey of 11 Streams on the Fort McCoy Military Reservation, Sparta, WI
File(s)
Date
1997-04Author
Drake, Timothy C.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Water quality of 11 streams on or near the Fort McCoy Military Reservation,
Monroe County, Wisconsin, was determined using macroinvertebrate rapid
bioassessment techniques. Five macroinvertebrate samples were collected from available
habitat at 32 sites in the fall 1994, and spring 1995 to determine water quality, compare
seasonal water quality ratings, and provide baseline information on macroinvertebrate
community structure. Twenty six benthic community metrics including Biotic Index
(Bl), Family Biotic Index (FBI), Mean Tolerance Value (MTolVal), species and generic
richness, Margalef's diversity index, 2 Ephemeroptera-Plecoptera-Trichoptera (EPT)
richness measures, 7 trophic function richness metrics, and ranking of the 5 most
abundant genera were calculated for each sample. Combined season water quality at 20
sites was rated the same by all three water quality metrics (Bl, FBI, MTolVal). Those
sites with different classifications were usually different by only one classification
interval. The mean combined season BI rated 22 sites as having excellent water quality,
five as very good, three as good, and two as fair. Most water quality metrics were stable
across seasons. The mean MTolVal was the only seasonal water quality metric to vary
significantly (p<0.05). The combined site mean EPT enumeration and richness values
also varied significantly (p<0.05) by season, as did several trophic function enumeration
and richness metrics. Water quality metrics (BI, FBI, and MTolVal), species richness,
generic richness, and diversity generally had lower variation than enumeration metrics.
Combined season MTolVal had the lowest variability (CV%) of all metrics.