Glossary
metrics -are generally specialized biological variables that can be combined
with a rating and used in an index. Metrics are a means of quantifying
individual biological attributes.
morphoedaphic index- a regression equation using water quality variables to
estimate fish biomass.
morphometry-measurements of the physical structure of a
or water
body (e.g., length of streams, slope, depth, shoreline length).
multiple regression
a regression model developed with two or more
variables.
pathogen -a disease-causing agent, especially viruses, bacteria, or fungi.
be present in municipal, industrial, and
source
discharges.
pelagic zone- the open area of a lake, from the edge of the littoral zone to the
center of the lake.
phytoplankton
microscopic algae
float freely in open water of lakes and
oceans.
pool-portion of the channel with greater than average water depth, slow water
velocity, and no surface turbulence; often wider than average.
profundal zone
the deep-bottom water area beyond the depth of effective
light penetration. All of the lake floor beneath the hypolimnion.
quadrant-one section of a water body that has been divided into quarters for
the purpose of sampling.
rapid bioassessment
refers to several protocols developed by
and
several states to examine the biological community of a stream, taking
less time than conventional methods.
riffle-portion of the channel with shallower than average water, relatively high
gradient, and greater than average current velocities, racing over stones to
create much surface turbulence.
run
portion of the channel with water of average width, depth, and current
velocity, with little or no surface turbulence.
salinity-a measure of the quantity of dissolved salts, such as in seawater.
shellfish -an aquatic animal, such as a mollusk (clams and snails) or crustacean
(crabs and shrimp), having a shell or shell-like exoskeleton.
shoreline development-the ratio of the length of the shoreline divided by the
circumference of a circle equal to the area of the lake. Nearly circular lakes
have a low shoreline development (near 1). More elongated lakes have a
larger value for shoreline development, and as the number of bays or tributary
arms increases, the shoreline development increases.
regression procedure where a computer introduces
step-wise regression
variables and records the corresponding correlation coefficient after each
variable is introduced.
stratification -arrangement of lake water masses into separate, distinct
horizontal layers due primarily to temperature. Also dissolved or suspended
solids.
10.3
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