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A Study in Stream Ecology [Intro Music begins] [Steven
Sobieszczyk] Each year USGS scientists systematically assess the
ecological health and water-quality conditions in streams and
rivers across the United States. This research plays a vital
role in land management and natural resource decisions around
the country. Contrary to popular belief, these extensive data
collection efforts completed by researchers in the USGS National
Water-Quality Assessment Program involve much more than just
water quality. [Kurt Carpenter] Back when the NAWQA program
first started, the National Water-Quality Assessment Program,
they recognized the need to incorporate biology into the
sampling. We look at the algae that’s in the different streams
and rivers and the bugs that eat the algae and then also the
fish that rely upon the bugs as a food sour