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Primary Production In the laboratory, periphyton samples should be thawed and the water extracted by vacuum over a glass fiber filter. The filter should then be cut in half. One-half to be used to determine chlorophyll a and the other half to determine biomass. Chlorophyll a concentration should be determined using standard methods. Biomass should be detennined as described above for benthic organic matter. Data Analysis The goal of initial data analysis should be to evaluate the adequacy of the sampling program. In other words, are the number of reaches being sampled, the number of samples being collected, and the level of taxonomy adequate to detect subtle changes in invertebrate communities or is the data primarily a general description and a baseline for detecting gross changes. The objective is to collect data that will allow for the detection of subtle changes in invertebrate populations in response to differing hydrologic regimes. An additional objective of this project is to identify invertebrate taxa that can be used as indicator species of quality habitat. For example, Stanford and Ward have determined the presence of the mayfly Traverella albertana and the dobsonfly Corydalus comuts indicate healthy potamon food webs (Stanford 1994) associated with riffle habitats in the Colorado River. Indicator species for other habitat types, especially backwaters, are also needed. Data Storage and Distribution All data (zoobenthos, organic matter, water temperature, physical habitat) should be stored on a computer. Minimum requirements should be a computer hardware and software system capable of storing and analyzing all types of data collected during the study. Reports should be provided annually in standard scientific format with an introduction, sampling methods, laboratory methods, results (taxonomic lists, community characterization summaries), and literature cited sections. Data should be provided on paper or on electronic media. Quality Assurance/Quality Control All unique invertebrate specimens should be kept and maintained in a permanent reference collection. Questionable identifications should be confirmed by outside taxonomic experts. A random subset of samples, nonnally 5 or 10%, should be verified by outside taxonomists. Integration With Other Ongoing Studies To the maximum extent possible, all investigators should coordinate their invertebrate sampling and with those doing the proposed monitoring described in this plan. Where possible samples should be collected and processed as described above. 9