Index of Biotic Integrity Stream Assessment

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[font "Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, Arial Narrow"][size 2] [/size][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2] Over the past six years the stream survey unit has been conducting Index of Biotic Integrity surveys in various watersheds within the region. These have been done in response to requests made by TWRA personnel, cooperative effort requests, and general interest in determining the state of certain streams. Our compilation of these surveys has given us a reference database for many streams in the region that can be used for comparison purposes should we return for a routine survey or responding to a water quality issue. The table below lists our results for various streams surveyed during this time period. [/size][/font][font "Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, Arial Narrow"][size 2][/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, Arial Narrow"][size 2]
[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, Arial Narrow"][size 2]The aquatic insect community reveals alot of information about the well being of a stream or river. [/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, Arial Narrow"][size 2]Determining what fish species inhabit our streams and rivers is the first step in evaluating the health of the water body.[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, Arial Narrow"][size 2]Various fish species found in our streams and rivers have specific habitat and food requirements. Their prescense or abscense allows use to determine degradation to a stream or river.[/size][/font] [font "Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, Arial Narrow"][size 2]Determining point and non-point source pollution is an important aspect of evaluating the health of a stream or river.[/size][/font]
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