1. 1 DNA Barcodes for Assessment of the Biological Integrity of Aquatic Ecosystems Mark Bagley, United States Environmental Protection Agency Charles Spooner, US EPA Ronald Klauda Maryland Dept of Natural Resources David Schindel, Consortium for the Barcode of Life Lee Weigt, Smithsonian Institution Robert Hanner, University of Guelph

2. 2 Bioassessment An evaluation of the biological condition of a waterbody using biological surveys and other direct measurements of the resident living organisms Chemical Integrity Biological Integrity Physical Integrity

3. 3 US Wadeable Streams Assessment National assessment of the condition of wadeable streams 10 different taxonomic ID laboratories 749 stream macroinvertebrate samples (sites) All organisms identified to genus only 10% random re-identification by independent taxonomist Data quality objective – 85% repeatability Credible environmental decision-making depends on objectivity and repeatability of taxonomic results

4. 4 EPA Advanced Monitoring Initiative Project Goals Develop a DNA barcode library for important aquatic indicator species (EPT) Ephemeroptera (Mayflies) Plecoptera (Stoneflies) Trichoptera (Caddisflies) Compare DNA barcodes to traditional bioassessments for EPT taxa Cost, Speed, Objectivity, Accuracy, Precision How important is increased taxonomic precision? Determine how to efficiently incorporate DNA barcodes into a state bioassessment program

5. 5 Repeatability and barcode development Morphology Maryland DNR EPA Lab Guelph Smithsonian EPA DNA Reference Barcode Database Taxon Experts Repeatability Precision Cost Repeatability Accuracy Precision Cost (taxonomic agreement) (disagreement or MOTU) Species Description (Adult Voucher specimens)

6. 6 Tech Transfer is a Major Project Goal End users are participants in the project  Maryland DNR, EPA-Water Tech transfer documents, hands-on workshops, and protocols are key products Chose influential end-users that will “convert” others