Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Soballe, David M. , Author; Originator: Soballe, David M. , Author; Publication_Date: 1998 Title: Successful water quality monitoring: The right combination of intent, measurement, interpretation, and a cooperating ecosystem Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Journal article Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal of Lake and Reservoir Management Issue_Identification: 14 1 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Onalaska, Wisc. Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center Other_Citation_Details: Extent of Item: 11 p. Date as Writen: August 1998 Illustrative Matter: Drawings Series Title, Subtitle and Numbering as it appears on item: Long Term Resource Monitoring Program Reprint 98-R010 Notes: (Data entered via BMDB Web Input Form, #B484) Description: Abstract: Water quality monitoring is invaluable to ensure compliance with regulations, detect trends or patterns, and advance ecological understanding. However, monitoring typically measures only a few characteristics in a small fraction of a large and complex system, and thus the information contained in monitoring data depends upon which features of the ecosystem are actually captured by the measurements. Difficulties arise when these data contain something other than intended, but this can be minimized if the purpose of the sampling is clear, and the sampling design, measurements, and data interpretations are all compatible with this purpose. The monitoring program and data interpretation must also be properly matched to the structure and functioning of the system. Obtaining this match is sometimes an iterative process that demands a close link between research and monitoring. This paper focuses on water quality monitoring that is intended to track trends in aquatic resources and advance ecological understanding. It includes examples from three monitoring programs and a simulation exercise that illustrate problems that arise when the information content of monitoring data differs from expectation. The examples show (1) how inconsistencies among, or lack of information about, the basic elements of a monitoring program (intent, design, measurement, interpretation, and the monitored system) can produce a systematic difference (bias) between monitoring measurements and sampling intent or interpretation, and (2) that bias is not just a statistical consideration, but an insidious problem that can undermine the scientific integrity of a monitoring program. Some general suggestions are provided and hopefully these examples will help those engaged in water quality monitoring to enhance and protect the value of their monitoring investment. Purpose: Reporting results of research. Supplemental_Information: This metadata file can be found at: ; (text format) ; (HTML format) ; (SGML format) Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Single_Date/Time: Calendar_Date: 1998 Currentness_Reference: presented data Status: Progress: Complete Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned Spatial_Domain: Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Unknown. This information is not normally part of a publication bibliographic record. The coordinates provided below are default coordinates which cover the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: -140.0 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -60.0 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 75.0 South_Bounding_Coordinate: -15.0 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Subject Category from NBII Bibliographic Metadata Input Page Theme_Keyword: Ecosystems -- Ecological Communities Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Testbed Controlled Vocabulary from NBII Bibliographic Metadata Input Page Theme_Keyword: limnology Theme_Keyword: mississippi river Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: water quality monitoring Theme_Keyword: aquatic resources Theme_Keyword: sampling design Theme_Keyword: lake okeechobee Theme_Keyword: long-term Theme_Keyword: sampling bias Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Place_Keyword: lake okeechobee Place_Keyword: florida; south florida water management district; upper mississippi river Temporal: Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: present Access_Constraints: None Use_Constraints: None Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Soballe, David M. Contact_Position: Author Contact_Address: Address_Type: physical and mailing Address: U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center Address: 575 Lester Avenue City: Onalaska State_or_Province: WI Postal_Code: 54650 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 608-783-7550 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 608-783-8058 Distribution_Information: Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Georginia R. Ardinger Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: 575 Lester Avenue City: Onalaska State_or_Province: WI Postal_Code: 54650 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 608-783-7550 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 608-783-8058 Resource_Description: R00001 Distribution_Liability: Although this data and information has been processed successfully on a computer system at the USGS Biological Resources Division, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data and information on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and information, and aggregate use with other data and information. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data and information. The USGS shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data and information described and/or contained herein. Standard_Order_Process: Fees: $23. Ordering_Instructions: Release unlimited. Available from National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 (1-800-553-6847 or 703-487-4650). Also available to registered users from the Defense Technical Information Center, Attn: Help Desk, 8725 Kingman Road, Suite 0944, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6218 (1-800-225-3842 or 703-767-9050). NTIS Accession No. PB 99-103640. Metadata_Reference_Information: Metadata_Date: 19981203 Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: 575 Lester Avenue City: Onalaska State_or_Province: WI Postal_Code: 54650 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 608-783-7550 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 608-783-8058 Metadata_Standard_Name: NBII Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998