Chippewa River Watershed Biotic Stressor Identification Report

Document
Description
Stressor identification is a formal and rigorous process that identifies stressors causing biological impairment of aquatic ecosystems, and provides a structure for organizing the scientific evidence supporting the conclusions (EPA, 2000). In simpler terms, it is the process of identifying the major factors causing harm to fish and other river and stream life. Stressor identification is a key component of the major watershed restoration and protection projects being carried out under Minnesota's Clean Water Legacy Act. The purpose of stressor identification is to interpret the data collected during the biological monitoring and assessment process. This analysis may provide insight as to why one stream has a low IBI score, while another has a high score. It considers causal factors – negative ones harming fish and insects, and positive ones leading to healthy biology. Stressors may be physical, chemical, or biological. (MPCA Mississippi River-Lake Pepin SID 2013).
Date Issued
2015-11
Number of Pages
241
Decade
Author
Publisher
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Rights Holder
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Rights Management
Public Domain