MBSS LOGISTICS
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Randomly-selected 75 M segments of first,
second, and third order non-tidal streams
(Strahler;1:250,000 scale USGS maps) in each
basin were sampled in Round 1 (1995-1997).
Round 2 (2000-2004) and the current Round 3
(2005-2009) use 75 M segments of 1:100,000
scale USGS maps, first through fourth order
streams.
- Two sampling periods:
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Spring
(March-April)
Lab Water Chemistry
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
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Summer
(June-September)
Fish, Herpetofauna, Freshwater Mussels,
Crayfish, Aquatic Plants, Physical
Habitat, and in-situ Water Chemistry.
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1995-1997 MBSS (Round 1) incorporated
hierarchical arrangement of sampling units as
part of a lattice design, with all 18 major
(6-digit level) drainage basins sampled at
least once over a multi- year period.
Statewide, equal numbers of first, second,
and third order streams were sampled, and the
probability of being sampled is equal within
stream order (approximately 1000 sites
total). Sampling effort in a basin is
proportional to number of stream miles of
each order.
-
2000-2004 (Round 2) sampling required at
least 10 samples be taken in each primary
sampling unit (single or multiple 8-digit
level sub-watersheds) to preserve statistical
significance at multiple scales.
-
2005-2009 (Round 3) sampling preserves
statistical significance at multiple scales
while supporting multiple, "targeted"
projects. This includes support for MDE's
TMDL and Tier II watershed delineation needs,
special studies focused on invasive species,
and information for Maryland's "rare,
threatened, and endangered" program.
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Landowner permissions are obtained for all
non-public lands. Sites are located using GPS
units and marked in spring.
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QA/QC performed at all levels of the MBSS,
including training and testing, field audits,
equipment calibration/maintenance, voucher
specimens, data entry, data management, GIS
and reporting.
- Procedures and QC information are available
on the web as pdf files. Use the "MBSS Online
Documents link in the sidebar.
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