Bioassessment Training, Evaluation and Quality Assurance

New Habitat Assessment Testing Opportunity

Three new sets of Habitat Assessment Benchmark Sites are available for testing in 2021 through 2023.  Site information and directions are available under the Proficiency Demonstration information of the Stream and River Habitat Assessment section below.

While we encourage everyone to visit the newly established sites as soon as possible, we are extending the current status of testers through June 30, 2022. This will allow everyone to maintain their proficiency status until they are able to test. 

DEP Stream Biological Assessment Methods

• Stream Condition Index
• Stream and River Habitat Assessment
• BioRecon
• Rapid Periphyton Survey
• Linear Vegetation Survey

DEP Lake Biological Assessment Methods

• Lake Vegetation Index

Stream Condition Index

This method is a composite macroinvertebrate index for use in flowing streams. 

Training Resources:

• Follow DEP SOP SCI 1000 (effective 4/16/18, dated January 2017)
• Sampling and Use of the Stream Condition Index for Assessing Flowing Waters: A Primer (PDF, 2011)
• SCI Training Presentation (PDF, 2018)
• SCI Training Checklist and Event Log (FD 9000-35)
• Supplemental Video of Stream Condition Index and Habitat Assessment Techniques (28 min, 2020)

Summary of steps required to demonstrate SCI proficiency:

• Attend a DEP biological assessment training class or event. Classes are typically held twice a year: once in North Florida and once in Central Florida. Training classes are announced through the Quality of Science eNewsletter.
• Complete 9 SCI training events with one or more trainers who are in Pass status for the SCI. The Trainer will observe and critique the trainee's sampling technique. Document events on the Training Checklist and Event Log (FD 9000-35). 
• An Evaluator will conduct an evaluation (mock audit) for the trainee (10^th training event), to ensure the Trainee understands and is proficient in the items on the checklist. Complete the Evaluator section of the Training Checklist and Event Log.
• The audit candidate must attain a score of 90% on the online test and successfully complete a field audit with a DEP auditor.

Proficiency Demonstration:

Anyone submitting data to DEP must attain a score of 90% on the online test, pass an initial demonstration of proficiency (SCI field audit), and a pass a refresher audit every 5 years thereafter. 

Contact Ashley O'Neal to schedule an initial or refresher SCI audit, including the online SCI test. 

Overall habitat quality is determined by measuring eight attributes known to have potential effects on the stream biota. The method involves a mapping exercise and conducting a series of observations as specified in the Physical/Chemical characterization SOP (DEP SOP FT 3001). 

Training Resources:

• Follow DEP SOP FT 3000 (effective 4/16/18, dated January 2017)
• Habitat Assessment Training Presentation (PDF, 2018)
• Stream and Habitat Assessment Training Checklist and Event Log (FD 9000-34)
• Supplemental Video of Stream Condition Index and Habitat Assessment Techniques (28 min, 2020)

Proficiency Demonstration:

Anyone submitting data to DEP must pass 3 out of 5 Habitat Assessment proficiency testing sites every two years, ideally under similar hydrologic conditions as those present during the establishment of testing sites. Hydrographs are provided for each set of sites to aid in this determination. Analysts must be within +/- 10 points of the overall consensus score for each testing site.

All analysts should test at the sites established in 2021. 

*NEW* 2021 Site Information:  Northern Sites, Central Sites, Southern Sites

Contact Joy Jackson to submit your Habitat Assessment field sheets and testing scores.

Lake Vegetation Index

A rapid field method developed to assess how similar a lake plant community is to a minimally disturbed community.

Training Resources:

• Follow DEP SOP LVI 1000 (effective 4/16/18, dated January 2017)
• Sampling and Use of the Lake Vegetation Index (LVI) for Assessing Lake Plant Communities in Florida: A Primer (10/24/2011)
• The Lake Vegetation Index (LVI) Sampling Method Webinar - (PDF, 2019)
• Lake Vegetation Index (LVI) Sampling Method Webinar (11 min, 2020) - This video includes video clips and animations that are not available in the PDF version; but please note there is no audio with this presentation.

LVI Calculator:

LVIs are calculated per DEP SOP LVI 2200 (effective 4/16/18).  A new LVI Calculator is available for download and use to calculate Lake Vegetation Index scores. Users should review “2022 Instructions for use of 2022 LVI Calculator” before using (Note: You must enable macros to use this calculator.) The 2022 calculator should be used in place of the previous calculator. Please contact Ashley O'Neal if you encounter any errors with the new calculator. 

• *NEW* 2022 LVI Calculator 
• *NEW* 2022 Instructions for use of 2022 LVI Calculator

Proficiency Demonstration:

Anyone submitting LVI data to DEP must pass the LVI team proficiency testing offered every two years. In addition, at least one member of each LVI sampling team must pass the online test of common lake plants annually.

Contact Ashley O’Neal to take the online plant test.

For information about the most recent LVI Team Proficiency Exercise (2021), see Lake Vegetation Index 2021 Team Proficiency Report (PDF, 2021). 

Additional Resources

• Stream Ecology, Module 1 (9 min, 2018)
• Biological Assessment Training Requirements - DEP Bioassessment Training and Testing Guidelines: Rivers and Streams
• Bioassessment Testing Registry - Searchable query for individuals who have completed a sampling audit to support either SCI or BioRecon sampling events.
• DEP Field SOPs
• Field Sampling Forms
• Quality of Science eNewsletter – Register for this eNewsletter to receive announcements from DEP about training or testing opportunities.