Identification_Information:
  Citation:
    Citation_Information:
      Originator: Soballe, David M. , Author;
      Originator: Soballe, David M. , Author;
      Publication_Date: 1998
      Title: Successful water quality monitoring:  The right combination of intent, measurement, interpretation, and a cooperating ecosystem
      Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Journal article
      Series_Information:
        Series_Name: Journal of Lake and Reservoir Management
        Issue_Identification: 14 1
      Publication_Information:
        Publication_Place: Onalaska, Wisc.
        Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center
      Other_Citation_Details:
        Extent of Item: 11 p.
        Date as Writen: August 1998
        Illustrative Matter: Drawings
        Series Title, Subtitle and Numbering as it appears on item: Long Term Resource Monitoring Program Reprint 98-R010
        Notes: (Data entered via BMDB Web Input Form, #B484)

  Description:
    Abstract:
      Water quality monitoring is invaluable to ensure compliance with
      regulations, detect trends or patterns, and advance ecological
      understanding. However, monitoring typically measures only a few
      characteristics in a small fraction of a large and complex system,
      and thus the information contained in monitoring data depends upon
      which features of the ecosystem are actually captured by the
      measurements. Difficulties arise when these data contain something
      other than intended, but this can be minimized if the purpose of the
      sampling is clear, and the sampling design, measurements, and data
      interpretations are all compatible with this purpose. The monitoring
      program and data interpretation must also be properly matched to the
      structure and functioning of the system. Obtaining this match is
      sometimes an iterative process that demands a close link between
      research and monitoring. This paper focuses on water quality
      monitoring that is intended to track trends in aquatic resources and
      advance ecological understanding. It includes examples from three
      monitoring programs and a simulation exercise that illustrate
      problems that arise when the information content of monitoring data
      differs from expectation. The examples show (1) how inconsistencies
      among, or lack of information about, the basic elements of a
      monitoring program (intent, design, measurement, interpretation, and
      the monitored system) can produce a systematic difference (bias)
      between monitoring measurements and sampling intent or
      interpretation, and (2) that bias is not just a statistical
      consideration, but an insidious problem that can undermine the
      scientific integrity of a monitoring program. Some general
      suggestions are provided and hopefully these examples will help
      those engaged in water quality monitoring to enhance and protect the
      value of their monitoring investment.
    Purpose: Reporting results of research.
    Supplemental_Information:
      This metadata file can be found at:
      <URL: http://pubsmeta.er.usgs.gov/metadata/m002001014b_1.txt>; (text format)
      <URL: http://pubsmeta.er.usgs.gov/metadata/m002001014b_1.html>; (HTML format)
      <URL: http://pubsmeta.er.usgs.gov/metadata//m002001014b_1.sgml>; (SGML format)
  Time_Period_of_Content:
    Time_Period_Information:
      Single_Date/Time:
        Calendar_Date: 1998
    Currentness_Reference: presented data
  Status:
    Progress: Complete
    Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
  Spatial_Domain:
    Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
    Unknown.  This information is not normally part of a publication bibliographic record. The coordinates provided below are default coordinates which cover the United States including Alaska and Hawaii.
    Bounding_Coordinates:
      West_Bounding_Coordinate: -140.0
      East_Bounding_Coordinate: -60.0
      North_Bounding_Coordinate: 75.0
      South_Bounding_Coordinate: -15.0
  Keywords:
    Theme:
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Subject Category from NBII Bibliographic Metadata Input Page
      Theme_Keyword: Ecosystems -- Ecological Communities
    Theme:
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus:
        Testbed Controlled Vocabulary from NBII Bibliographic Metadata
        Input Page
      Theme_Keyword: limnology
      Theme_Keyword: mississippi river
    Theme:
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Theme_Keyword: water quality monitoring
      Theme_Keyword: aquatic resources
      Theme_Keyword: sampling design
      Theme_Keyword: lake okeechobee
      Theme_Keyword: long-term
      Theme_Keyword: sampling bias
    Place:
      Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Place_Keyword: lake okeechobee
      Place_Keyword: florida; south florida water management district; upper mississippi river
    Temporal:
      Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Theme_Keyword: present
  Access_Constraints: None
  Use_Constraints: None
  Point_of_Contact:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Person_Primary:
        Contact_Person: Soballe, David M.
      Contact_Position: Author
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: physical and mailing
        Address: U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center
        Address: 575 Lester Avenue
        City: Onalaska
        State_or_Province: WI
        Postal_Code: 54650
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 608-783-7550
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 608-783-8058

Distribution_Information:
  Distributor:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Person_Primary:
        Contact_Person: Georginia R. Ardinger
        Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: mailing and physical address
        Address: 575 Lester Avenue
        City: Onalaska
        State_or_Province: WI
        Postal_Code: 54650
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 608-783-7550
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 608-783-8058
  Resource_Description: R00001
  Distribution_Liability:
    Although this data and information has been processed
    successfully on a computer system at the USGS Biological
    Resources Division, no warranty expressed or implied is made
    regarding the accuracy or utility of the data and information
    on any other system or for general or scientific purposes,
    nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
    This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and
    information, and aggregate use with other data and information.
    It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid
    to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data
    and information.  The USGS shall not be held liable for improper
    or incorrect use of the data and information described and/or
    contained herein.
  Standard_Order_Process:
    Fees: $23.
    Ordering_Instructions:
      Release unlimited. Available from National Technical Information Service,
      5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161
      (1-800-553-6847 or 703-487-4650). Also available
      to registered users from the Defense Technical
      Information Center, Attn: Help Desk, 8725
      Kingman Road, Suite 0944, Fort Belvoir, VA
      22060-6218 (1-800-225-3842 or 703-767-9050).
      NTIS Accession No. PB 99-103640.

Metadata_Reference_Information:
  Metadata_Date: 19981203
  Metadata_Contact:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: mailing and physical address
        Address: 575 Lester Avenue
        City: Onalaska
        State_or_Province: WI
        Postal_Code: 54650
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 608-783-7550
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 608-783-8058
  Metadata_Standard_Name: NBII
  Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998