Revised Methods for Characterizing Stream Habitat in the National Water-QualityAssessment Program

摘要

Stream habitat is characterized in the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality integrated physical, chemical, and biological assessment of the Nation's water quality. The goal of stream habitat characterization is to relate habitat to other physical, chemical, and biological factors that describe water-quality conditions. To accomplish this goal, environmental settings are described at sites selected for water-quality assessment. In addition, spatial and temporal patterns in habitat are examined at local, regional, and national scales.