Sampling Ecological Indicators in Urban Environmental Settings

During Cycle 1 of NAWQA (1991 - 2001), ecological
studies were conducted using a nationally consistent approach to assess the occurrence and distribution of algal, invertebrate, and fish communities in 51 of the Nation's major river basins known as Study Units. These Study Units represent the dominant hydrologic systems nationwide. The studies are staggered in time with 20 Study Units examined during 1992-1995; 16 during 1996-1998; and 15 during 1998-2001. Nationally, algae samples were collected from 138 urban stream sites, invertebrate samples were collected from 138 urban stream sites, fish samples were collected from 130 urban stream sites, and habitat was characterized at 129 urban stream sites.

In Cycle 2 of NAWQA (2001-2012), ecological studies are being conducted in 31 Study Units as part of a long-term, trends monitoring network or nationally guided topical studies designed to increase our understanding of the factors that affect waterquality. Biological sampling of algal, invertebrate, and fish communities, and habitat assessments are being conducted at 45 urban sites in the surface-water trends network.

The stream-sites maps and tables include only urban fixed sites. An urban fixed site is a surface-water site where streamflow is measured and samples are collected and analyzed for various chemical, physical, and biological characteristics. Combined, such sites are used to assess broad-scale spatial and temporal variation at the sites in relation to hydrologic conditions and environmental setting. Maps include urban and mixed-urban sites. Mixed urban sites are stream sampling sites located at an outlet of a drainage basin that contains multiple land uses, including urban.

Maps showing past and current urban ecological studies:

• Cycle I and Cycle II Algal sampling sites
• Cycle I and Cycle II Fish community sampling sites
• Cycle I and Cycle II Invertebrate assemblage
• Cycle I and Cycle II Habitat sites

Ecological data overview tables:

• Cycle I Algal sampling sites
• Cycle II Algal sampling sites
• Cycle I Fish community sampling sites
• Cycle II Fish community sampling sites
• Cycle I Invertebrate assemblage sampling sites
• Cycle II Invertebrate assemblage sampling sites
• Cycle I Habitat sites
• Cycle II Habitat sites

Publications concerning ecological studies in urban areas:
Publications list

For specific data related to such studies:
Go to the NAWQA data warehouse

For more information regarding NAWQA ecological studies:
Ecology National Synthesis website