Decota performs a variety of important assessments associated with biological monitoring. Biological monitoring is an effective way to determine the health of a water resource by identifying the presence or absence of environmental stressors on the local aquatic habitat. Because aquatic species respond differently to various types of stressors, a biological assessment can accurately identify what type of stressor is present within a community.
Utilizing a backpack electrofishing unit is one of the most effective methods of collecting stream fishes. Decota's fisheries assessments are completed using an electrofishing unit in accordance with the U.S. EPA's Rapid Bioassessment Protocols and the WV Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), Scientific Collection Permit Procedures. Decota's trained biologists are proficient in fish identification and skilled in handling and processing these important biological indicators of aquatic integrity.
Insects comprise the largest diversity of these organisms and include mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, beetles, midges, crane flies, dragonflies, and others. Other members of the benthic macroinvertebrate community are snails, clams, aquatic worms, and crayfish. These organisms are extremely important in the food chain of aquatic environments as they are important players in the processing and cycling of nutrient and are major food sources for fish and other aquatic animals.
Benthic macroinvertebrates have been used for many years to assess water quality. Currently, they are utilized throughout the world in water quality assessments, as environmental indicators of biological integrity, to describe water quality conditions or health of aquatic ecosystems, and to identify causes of impairment. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities are known to respond to a wide array of environmental stressors, and in different ways. This response will often make it possible to determine the type of stress that has affected the community. Many macroinvertebrate taxa have relatively long life cycles. Thus, community structure is a function of past water quality conditions.
In addition to a formal Biology or Wildlife Sciences education, Decota biologists have continued their education by participating in various training programs. Our biologists have completed the course certification for Freshwater Biomonitoring Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates presented by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center and the WV Division of Natural Resources Environmental Assessments on Wadeable Streams workshops.
Fisheries Assessment
Utilizing a backpack electrofishing unit is one of the most effective methods of collecting stream fishes. Decota's fisheries assessments are completed using an electrofishing unit in accordance with the U.S. EPA's Rapid Bioassessment Protocols and the WV Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), Scientific Collection Permit Procedures. Decota's trained biologists are proficient in fish identification and skilled in handling and processing these important biological indicators of aquatic integrity.
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assessment
Benthic macroinvertebrates are small animals living among the sediments and stones on the bottom of streams, rivers, and lakes. Insects comprise the largest diversity of these organisms and include mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, beetles, midges, crane flies, dragonflies, and others. Other members of the benthic macroinvertebrate community are snails, clams, aquatic worms, and crayfish. These organisms are extremely important in the food chain of aquatic environments as they are important players in the processing and cycling of nutrient and are major food sources for fish and other aquatic animals.
Benthic macroinvertebrates have been used for many years to assess water quality. Currently, they are utilized throughout the world in water quality assessments, as environmental indicators of biological integrity, to describe water quality conditions or health of aquatic ecosystems, and to identify causes of impairment. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities are known to respond to a wide array of environmental stressors, and in different ways. This response will often make it possible to determine the type of stress that has affected the community. Many macroinvertebrate taxa have relatively long life cycles. Thus, community structure is a function of past water quality conditions.
Training
In addition to a formal Biology or Wildlife Sciences education, Decota biologists have continued their education by participating in various training programs. Our biologists have completed the course certification for Freshwater Biomonitoring Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates presented by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center and the WV Division of Natural Resources Environmental Assessments on Wadeable Streams workshops.
