New! DEP’s Stream Biological Assessment Methods Training

October 27, 2026

When:     Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EDT

Where:   Bear Creek Educational Forest 

                   Bear Creek Educational Center (lat/longs 30.476562, -84.625686)

                   8125 Pat Thomas Parkway

                   Quincy, FL 32351

                   (Do not use location name, mapping programs will take you to forest office, not the education center)    

Directions: 

  • From Interstate 10: Exit onto Highway 267. Go south on Highway 267 for 4.8 miles. The entrance will be on your left.
  • From Highway 20: Turn north onto Highway 267. Follow Highway 267 for 7.5 miles. The entrance will be on your right.

What to bring: Chest waders, rain gear, clipboard with appropriate forms and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP, see table below), dipnet and brush (if you have them). 

Register: Click here to register.

Method

SOP sections (click to access most current SOP)

Form (click for current versions)

Stream Condition Index (SCI)

SCI 1000

None

Stream Habitat Assessment (HA) and Physical/Chemical forms 

FT 3000 and FT 3100

FD 9000-03

FD 9000-04

FD 9000-05

Rapid Periphyton Survey (RPS)

FS 7230

FD 9000-25

Linear Vegetation Survey (LVS)

FS 7320

FD 9000-32

Course Schedule (times may be approximate)

Time

Activity

Location

8:30-8:45 a.m.

Introduction & Overview

Education Center

8:45-10:15 a.m.

Physical-Chemical Characterization Form

Education Center

10:15-10:45 a.m.

Break and Field Prep

Education Center Area

10:45-12:15 p.m.

HA field practice

Bear Creek

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Lunch (We suggest you bring a lunch)

On your own

1:30-2:30 p.m.

HA Examples

Education Center

2:30-2:45 p.m.

Break and Field Prep

Education Center Area

2:45-3:45 p.m.

SCI, RPS, and LVS field practice

Bear Creek

4:00-4:30 p.m.

Trivia and Wrap-Up

Education Center

DEP biological assessment methods have method-specific training and proficiency requirements. This page summarizes the training and proficiency requirements for each biological assessment method and provides related resources. For announcements about upcoming training courses, audits, and testing opportunities, subscribe to the Quality of Science eNewsletter. 

Note: The DEP SOPs referenced on this page are the current versions effective May 20, 2026. Training presentations and supplemental resources may have earlier publication dates.

DEP Stream Biological Assessment Methods

DEP Lake Biological Assessment Methods

Stream Condition Index

The SCI is a multimetric biological assessment tool used to evaluate the ecological health of streams based on the taxonomic composition of macroinvertebrate communities. 

Training Resources:

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 nine SCI training events at a variety of sites with one or more trainers who are in Pass status for the SCI. The trainer will observe and critique the trainee's sampling technique. The trainee must document events on the Training Checklist and Event Log (FD 9000-35).
  • An evaluator will conduct an evaluation (mock audit) for the trainee (tenth 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. 
  • Contact Ashley O’Neal for a link to the online test. You have one hour to complete the 50-question test. A passing score is 90% (45/50).
  • After successfully completing the online test, send your completed Form 9000-35 to  Ashley O’Neal.
  • First time SCI audits are scheduled quarterly and announced through the Quality of Science eNewsletter. 
  • After successfully passing the online test and the initial SCI audit, samplers must pass a refresher audit every 5 years thereafter. Contact Ashley O’Neal for further instructions on the refresher audit process.
  • All proficiency requirements are contained in DEP SOP SCI 1300.
Photograph of DEAR samplers conducting a Stream Condition Index on Davenport Creek

Overall habitat quality is determined by measuring eight parameters with the potential to affect stream biota. The method involves a mapping exercise, scoring the eight habitat parameters and conducting a series of additional observations as specified in the Physical/Chemical characterization portion of SOP, DEP SOP FT 3001. 

Training Resources:

Summary of steps required to demonstrate HA 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 nine HA training events at a variety of sites (these can be the same sites as for the SCI demonstration) with one or more trainers who are in Pass status for the HA. The trainer will observe and provide feedback to the Trainee. The trainee must document events on the Training Checklist and Event Log (FD 9000-34). 
  • As of May 2026, DEP SOP FA 5720 requires samplers to take an online test (linked below) to demonstrate their knowledge of the method and provide assurance that data collection follows the SOPs. You may use DEP SOP FT 3000 to answer the questions. 
  • HA Online Test Link. You have one hour to complete the 40-question test. A passing score is 90% (36/40). 
  • After successfully completing the online test, samplers must test at three Habitat Assessment proficiency sites every five years (one mandatory site and two additional sites within a group), and pass two out of three sites. Samplers must be within +/- 10 points of the consensus score for a given site to pass that site.
  • Testing should be performed under similar hydrologic conditions to when the sites were established. Hydrographs are provided for each site to aid in determining which sites have similar hydrologic conditions to those at the time of consensus scoring. 

Site Information: 

North Sites: Map and Required Sites, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, Group 4

Central Sites: Map and Required Sites, Group 1, Group 2

South Sites: Map and Required Sites, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3

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

BioRecon

The BioRecon is a screening tool for macroinvertebrates in streams and rivers. It is intended to rapidly assess a site to prioritize it for more intensive sampling using the SCI. 

Training Resources:

Summary of steps required to demonstrate BioRecon 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. 
  • Samplers should undergo field taxonomic training with experienced BioRecon sampler and complete sampling training consistent with the SCI training process described above. 
  • Samplers must pass an online test. Contact Ashley O’Neal for the SCI (BR) Online Test Link. You have one hour to complete the 50-question test. A passing score is 90% (45/50). 
  • Pass an initial demonstration of proficiency (BioRecon field audit). Contact Joy Jackson to schedule a BioRecon audit.  
  • Pass a refresher audit every five years thereafter.
  • All proficiency requirements are contained in DEP SOP BRN 1000.

Rapid Periphyton Survey

The RPS quantifies the extent and abundance of attached algae (periphyton) in a stream or river and evaluates ecological information associated with the dominant algae.

Training Resources:

Summary of steps required to demonstrate RPS proficiency:

  • DEP requires analysts to take the online test linked below every five years to demonstrate their knowledge of the method and provide assurance that data collection follows the SOPs. 
  • The RPS online test includes questions about the RPS method, and you may use the RPS SOP FS 7230 to answer the questions.  
  • RPS Online Test Link. You have one hour to complete the 30-question test. A passing score is 90% (27/30).

Contact Jessica Patronis if you have questions about the RPS online test. 

Linear Vegetation Survey

The LVS evaluates how closely a stream or river’s flora resembles that of an undisturbed condition, and serves as a rapid indicator of ecological condition. 

Training Resources:

Summary of steps required to demonstrate LVS proficiency:

  • DEP requires analysts to take an online test every five years to demonstrate their knowledge of the method and provide assurance that data collection follows the SOPs. 
  • The LVS online test includes questions about the LVS method and plant identification. You may use the LVS SOP FS 7320 to answer LVS method questions, but do not use any resources for the plant identification questions.  
  •  LVS Online Test Link.  You have one hour to complete the 40-question test.  A passing score is 90% (36/40).

Contact Jessica Patronis if you have questions about the LVS online test.

LVS Calculator:

The LVS is calculated per DEP SOP FS 7320. An LVS Calculator is available for download and use to calculate Linear Vegetation Survey scores. Users should review "Instructions for use of LVS Calculator" before using (Note: You must enable macros to use this calculator). Please contact Ashley O’Neal if you encounter any errors with the calculator.  

Lake Vegetation Index

The LVI is a multimetric biological assessment tool used to evaluate the ecological health of lakes based on how similar a lake plant community is to a minimally disturbed community.

Training Resources:

Summary of steps required to demonstrate LVI proficiency:

  • Anyone submitting LVI data to DEP must pass the LVI team proficiency test offered every two years. Testing opportunities are announced via the Quality of Science eNewsletter.
  • In addition, at least one member of each LVI sampling team must pass the online test of common lake plants every two years. 
  • LVI Online Plant Test Link. You have one hour to complete the 40-question test. A passing score is 90% (36/40).  
  • All samplers must pass the LVI Method Test every two years. The LVI Method Test, linked below, requires analysts to demonstrate their knowledge of the method and provide assurance that data collection follows the SOPs. You may use the LVI SOP as a reference while taking the test to answer the questions.
  • LVI Online Method Test Link. You have one hour to complete the 32-question test. A passing score is 90% (29/32).  
  • Contact Ashley O’Neal if you have questions about the LVI testing process. 
  • * NEW Lake Vegetation Index 2025 Team Proficiency Report.  

LVI Calculator:

LVIs are calculated per DEP SOP LVI 2200. A new 2024 LVI Calculator is available for download and use to calculate Lake Vegetation Index scores. Users should review the “2024 Instructions for use of 2024 LVI Calculator” before use. The 2024 calculator should be used in place of the previous (2022) calculator. Please contact  Ashley O’Neal if you encounter any errors with the new calculator. 

Additional Resources

Last Modified: Friday, Aug 21, 2026 - 03:19pm