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Freshwater Biological Traits Database (External Review Draft)

On this page:

  • Overview
  • History
  • Downloads

Alert
Alert Notice - This site contains archived material(s)

Archive disclaimer
Archived files are provided for reference purposes only. The file was current when produced, but is no longer maintained and may now be outdated. Persons with disabilities having difficulty accessing archived files may contact the Risk Webmaster for assistance. Please use the contact us form if you need additional support.

Abstract

This draft report discusses the development of a database of freshwater biological traits. The database combines several existing traits databases into an online format. The database is also augmented with additional traits that are relevant to detecting climate change-related effects, especially traits related to temperature tolerances and flow.
This draft report and the Freshwater Biological Traits Database are intended for resource managers and scientists working on biological indicators, bioassessment, biomonitoring, and biocriteria, particularly in the EPA’s Office of Water and Regions, and also at state agencies and universities.

Access to the on-line Freshwater Biological Traits Database

See database under downloads


Impact/Purpose

Supporting document for Implications of Climate Change for Bioassessment Programs and Approaches to Account for Effects

Status

EPA will host an external peer review meeting on May 11, 2011 as announced in the Federal Register Notice. The report and database will be revised based on review comments received and will be published as a final EPA report and online database in the summer of 2011.

Citation

U.S. EPA. Freshwater Biological Traits Database (External Review Draft). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-11/038A, 2011.

History/Chronology

Date Description
01- Aug 2009 EPA performed an internal review of the draft report. Then held regional workshops and discussed traits database. See timeline on webpage: https://www.epa.gov/ncea/global/regional_shops.htm
02- Apr 2011 EPA released the external review draft report for public review and comment.

Additional Information

Comments on the assessment may be submitted and reviewed using the e-Government Regulations.gov Web site. From the site, select “Environmental Protection Agency” and the keyword “EPA-HQ-ORD-2011-0368" (for the docket ID) to comment on this report.

Download(s)

This download(s) is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency determination or policy.

  • Freshwater Biological Traits Database (PDF)  (23  pp, 417.0 KB, about PDF)
  • Appendix A: List of cold- and warm-water preference taxa (PDF)  (12  pp, 75.2 KB, about PDF)
  • Appendix B: Data Integration Rules (PDF)  (25  pp, 158.2 KB, about PDF)
  • Appendix C: Traits Gap Analysis (PDF)  (24  pp, 168.9 KB, about PDF)
  • Appendix D: List of traits and associated metadata (PDF)  (12  pp, 86.9 KB, about PDF)
  • Appendix E: List of traits and associated metadata (PDF)  (16  pp, 1.8 MB, about PDF)
  • Implications of Climate Change for State Bioassessment Programs and Approaches to Account for Effects (External Review Draft)
  • Link to Traits online database (staging)
  • Download all traits information (ZIP)  (12.1 MB, about ZIP)
  • Download all traits information - Transposed (ZIP)  (4.0 MB, about ZIP)

Related Link(s)

  • Bioassessment Regional Workshop Web site
  • Biocriteria SW Guidance
  • EPA Bioindicators
  • RSL Monitoring -Stream Survey
  • Climate Change Effects on Stream and River Biological Indicators: A Preliminary Analysis (Final Report)
  • Freshwater Biological Traits Database (Final Report)
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Last updated on April 15, 2011
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