Evaluation of the Fixed-Count Method for Rapid Bioassessment Protocol III with Benthic Macroinvertebrate Metrics

Abstract

BRIDGES is a recurring feature of J-NABS intended to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and information between basic and applied researchers in benthic science. Articles in this series willfocus on topical research areas and linkages between basic and applied aspects of research, monitoring policy, and education. Readers with ideas for topics should contact Associate Editors, Nick Aumen and Marty Gurtz. This article extends a series of papers in J-NABS discussing Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for benthic macroinvertebrates, particularly with respect to increasing subsample size up to 300 organisms. Increasing subsample size results in changes to some RBP metrics, whereas others remain constant. Depending on which metrics are most important in any given situation, these results should be significant to resource managers and biologists designing sampling programs in the face of funding and personnel constraints.