Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network - Field Manual, Wadeable streams 2012

Abstract

The Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) is the national biomonitoring program developed by Environment Canada that provides a standardized sampling protocol and a recommended assessment approach, called the Reference Condition Approach (RCA), for assessing aquatic ecosystem condition. CABIN provides the tools necessary to conduct consistent, comparable, and scientifically credible biological assessments of streams. This manual describes the nationally standardized CABIN field protocol for the collection of benthic macroinvertebrate samples and associated stream information in wadeable streams and littoral zones of large rivers. This manual provides information on: • when to sample • the importance of safety first • how to collect required non-field data before sampling • how to collect a CABIN benthic macroinvertebrate sample and related water quality and habitat data in the field • what equipment is required to sample macroinvertebrates and water quality and collect habitat data