Water Stewardship Information Sources
| Citation | Page, N. A., L. S. Fore, M. Eymann, and C. Johnston. 2008. Assessment of the use of B-IBI in Greater Vancouver streams (2003–2006). Report prepared for Metro Vancouver. 58 pp. + appendices. |
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| Organization | Metro Vancouver |
| URL | http://www.raincoastappliedecology.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2008-Metro-Vancouver-B-IBI-Study-Final-Report.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | This report presents the final results of a four year study (2003–2006) which evaluated the temporal and spatial variability of a biological index derived from benthic invertebrate samples collected from fourteen streams and small rivers in Greater Vancouver. The study used a benthic index of biological integrity (B-IBI) which combines measures of taxa richness and relative abundance for key groups of benthic invertebrates such as tolerant taxa, predator taxa, and long-lived taxa. B-IBI is used as an indicator of stream condition. The study’s results support the use of benthic invertebrates as an effective assessment and monitoring tool in small urban watersheds in Greater Vancouver for four reasons. First, B-IBI values were consistently and predictably correlated with independent measures of human disturbance at both the instream and watershed scale. Second, B-IBI values consistently ranked streams sampled in different years in a similar order. Third, large differences in laboratory and field sampling protocols had little influence on the overall ranking of streams in terms of B-IBI values. Fourth, B-IBI has sufficient statistical power to detect small changes in resource condition. The consistent response of B-IBI to human disturbance, independent of protocol methods, along with its statistical precision, supports the use of the index as a management tool for small streams in Greater Vancouver. The study streams included nine permanently flowing streams, two streams that represented the best available condition (reference streams) in the region, and three intermittently flowing (seasonal) streams. Two streams were sampled in two locations to assess spatial variability in the benthic invertebrate community. In each stream, a Surber sampler was used to collect samples (either single Surber placements or composites) from multiple riffles in a 500 m long reach. Data collected in 1999 was also included in the analyses. |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Lower Fraser |
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| Project status | complete |
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