Hydrobiological Monitoring Services
 Increasing demand for water supplies has necessitated the “harvesting” of ever-greater quantities of natural ground and surface water resources, as well as the application of new technologies, such as seawater desalination and reclaimed water, to meet potable and nonpotable water needs.
Concurrently, there has been a growing awareness among the regulatory community that all forms of water supply development have the potential to cause adverse environmental impacts. Over-pumping of ground water aquifers has led to numerous environmental problems, including lowered lake levels, dehydration of wetlands, and saltwater intrusion. Likewise, the harvesting of surface waters from streams and rivers has the potential to cause downstream environmental impacts, such as adverse changes to salinity patterns, water quality, plant and animal communities, and water levels.
Knowing – with a high degree of certainty – at what point withdrawing water from our natural systems adversely impacts the environment allows us to achieve the delicate balance between demand, supply, and environmental protection. This requires a statistically sound monitoring approach that considers both hydrologic and biological factors – an approach known as hydrobiological monitoring.
PBS&J’s Services
With decades of experience in water resources management and ecological sciences, PBS&J remains at the forefront in the design and implementation of hydrobiological monitoring programs. We develop quantitative and results-oriented monitoring programs that meet the needs of both the regulatory community and regulated interests. Our clients have included water management district, national estuary programs, water supply authorities, cities, and counties.
Our scientists and engineers are extensively trained in field procedures and draw upon an extensive inventory of instruments and sampling equipment to achieve greater accuracy. With this field data, we apply advanced statistical methods to detect:
- Changes in the status and trends of key hydrologic and biological indicators
- Relationships between hydrologic and biological changes
- Harmful algal blooms
- Possible cause-and-effect relationships
In addition to program design and implementation, our comprehensive services encompass:
- Environmental database management
- Statistical analysis
- Preparation of interpretive reports
Hydrobiological monitoring programs typically include the collection and analysis of data on numerous indicators.
Some of these may include:
- Rainfall and runoff relationships
- Streamflow and water levels
- Salinity and water quality
- Sediment grain size and organic matter
- Vegetation communities
- Benthic invertebrate populations
- Phytoplankton and zooplankton populations
- Larval, juvenile, and adult fishes
- Reptile, bird, and mammal populations
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