Guidelines for quality assurance and quality control of fish taxonomic data collected as part
of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Water-Resources Investigations Report 98-4239
By Stephen J. Walsh and Michael R. Meador
Full Report (PDF, 39 pages, 630 Kb)
Abstract
Fish community structure is characterized by the U.S. Geological Survey's
National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program as part of a perennial,
multidisciplinary approach to evaluating the physical, chemical, and
biological conditions of the Nation's water resources. The objective of
quality assurance and quality control of fish taxonomic data that are
collected as part of the NAWQA Program is to establish uniform guidelines
and protocols for the identification, processing, and archiving of fish
specimens to ensure that accurate and reliable data are collected.
Study unit biologists, collaborating with regional biologists and fish
taxonomic specialists, prepare a pre-sampling study plan that includes a
preliminary faunal list and identification of an ichthyological curation
center for receiving preserved fish specimens. Problematic taxonomic
issues and protected taxa also are identified in the study plan, and
collecting permits are obtained in advance of sampling activities.
Taxonomic specialists are selected to identify fish specimens in the
field and to assist in determining what fish specimens should be
sacrificed, fixed, and preserved for laboratory identification,
independent taxonomic verification, and long-term storage in reference
or voucher collections.
Quantitative and qualitative sampling of fishes follows standard methods
previously established for the NAWQA Program. Common ichthyological
techniques are used to process samples in the field and prepare fish
specimens to be returned to the laboratory or sent to an institutional
repository. Taxonomic identifications are reported by using a
standardized list of scientific names that provides nomenclatural
consistency and uniformity across study units.
Citation:
Walsh, S.J., and Meador, M.R., 1998, Guidelines for quality assurance and quality control of fish taxonomic data collected as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 98-4239, 33 p.
For more information, contact |
North Carolina Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
3916 Sunset Ridge Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
(919) 571-4000
E-mail
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