Raincoast Applied Ecology | Environmental Monitoring

Environmental Monitoring

Raincoast Applied Ecology uses three approaches to monitor the condition of urbanizing streams and rivers: 1) assessing biological condition using the benthic invertebrate community (multimetric and multivariate approaches); 2) storm event and continuous monitoring of water quality; and 3) GIS-based air photo interpretation, including the use of historical air photos, to measure changes in imperviousness and land cover (e.g., watershed or riparian forest cover) over time. We have also used more experimental methods to measure long-term change, such as the use of growth records from the shells of freshwater mussels. Each of these methods provides different information on how freshwater ecosystems are affected by natural and anthropogenic changes.

Stormwater runoff in Vancouver, BC.

City of Surrey Benthic Monitoring Program
Sample collection, data analysis, and management for a long-term monitoring program of stream health in the City of Surrey. Includes annual or semi-annual sampling of 28 different locations within Surrey's stream network (for City of Surrey by Raincoast Applied Ecology, 2008–present). Link to City website.

Metro Vancouver Benthic Monitoring Program
Sample collection, data analysis, and management of long-term monitoring program to monitor stream health in 16 watersheds in Metro Vancouver (for Metro Vancouver by Raincoast Applied Ecology, 2007–2012).

University of British Columbia Stormwater Monitoring Program
Sampling, data analysis, and management for an intensive water quality monitoring program on UBC's Vancouver (Point Grey) campus. Includes continuous automated water quality monitoring, storm event sampling, and fecal coliform analysis (for UBC Utilities by Raincoast Applied Ecology, 2003–2010). Download report.

City of North Vancouver Environmental Monitoring Program
Sampling and analysis of benthic invertebrates, fecal coliform sampling, water and sediment sampling for metals and nutrients, and general water quality sampling in four streams in the City of North Vancouver (for City of North Vancouver by Raincoast Applied Ecology, 2006–2010).

Assessment of the Use of B-IBI in Metro Vancouver: 2003–2006
Multi-year sampling and data analysis study prepared for Metro Vancouver by KWL Associates, Raincoast Applied Ecology, and Leska Fore Statistical Design, 2006. Download report.

Changes in Gape Frequency, Siphon Activity and Thermal Response in the Freshwater Bivalves Anodonta cygnea and Margaritifera falcata
Published in the Journal of Molluscan Studies 75 (by D.L. Rodland, B.R. Schöne, S. Baier, Z. Zhang, W. Dreyer, N.A. Page, 2008). Download paper.

Precipitation and ENSO records (1959–2004) Based on Shells of Freshwater Bivalve Mollusks (Margaritifera falcata) from British Columbia
Published in the International Journal of Earth Sciences (by B.R. Schöne, N.A. Page, D.L. Rodland, J. Fiebig, S. Baier, S. Helama and W. Oschmann, 2006). Download paper.

Review of Environmental Monitoring Approaches for Urban Streams in Metro Vancouver
Comparison of a wide variety of approaches for monitoring stream health (for GVRD by Raincoast Applied Ecology and KWL Associates, 2006).

Comparison of Two Benthic Invertebrate Sampling and Analysis Methods for Streams in Greater Vancouver
Sampling and data analysis study for GVRD, Environment Canada, District of North Vancouver, and Township of Langley (Raincoast Applied Ecology and Environment Canada, 2006). Download report.

Yorkson Creek Benthic Invertebrate and Water Quality Monitoring Program
Collection and analysis of benthic invertebrate data for Yorkson Creek (for Township of Langley by Raincoast Applied Ecology, 2005). Report available through Township of Langley.

2003 North Vancouver Benthic Sampling Program
Sampling and data analysis study for District of North Vancouver (Raincoast Applied Ecology, 2004). Report available through District of North Vancouver.