Using stream bioassessment to monitor best management practice effectiveness

Abstract

A best management practices (BMPs) effectiveness study was conducted to evaluate Florida’s BMPs for protecting aquatic ecosystems during intensive forestry operations. Sites were selected in major ecoregions of the state and each site was associated with a stream adjacent to intensive silviculture treatments. A stream bioassessment was conducted at each site before silviculture treatments, to determine a pre-treatment stream condition index (SCI). Sampling for the bioassessment was conducted at points along each stream, above and below the treatment area, to establish reference and test conditions. Silviculture treatments of clearcut harvesting, intensive mechanical site preparation and machine planting were then completed, during which all applicable BMPs were adhered to. One year after the first bioassessment and following the treatments, the sites were re-sampled at the same points. No significant difference in the SCI was observed between the reference and test portions of the streams that could be attributed to the treatments using BMPs. Hence, the results of the study support the hypothesis that proper application of BMPs provides protection to adjacent stream ecosystems.