STORET
A System for Managing
Biological Monitoring Data
' ' Protection Ageticy (EPA)
v
developed m the 2,960$, and
.'fy-a variety of groups* incfaAtgfederal,.
are the benefits of using
ETas a biomonitoring database?
JET provides a common architecture for storing
^hich makes it easier for agencies to share
nitoring data.
data are m STORET, they are available for public
-ET is a free product maintained by the EPA.
-ET provides the ability to generate results and
= of biomonitoring data.
~stem can store documents, graphics, and photos.
n STORET are safe in the event of staff
er.
ra are in one central location, not spread across
le databases and agencies.
-ET is ODBC compliant, so it is easy to connect
irnal analysis software.
What types of
biomonitoring
data does STORET
support?
STORET supports a variety
of types of biomonitoring data on fish, benthic
macroinvertebrates, and habitats. In addition, users can
store metadata describing how, where, and when field
data were collected. Examples of the types of data
STORET can store include:
• Fish—sampling methods, species richness, weight,
length, and fish tissue lab results.
• Benthic macroinvertebrates—sampling methods,
collection methods, and taxa or species frequency.
• Habitat assessment—riparian vegetation, velocity,
stream gradient, substrate components, pool/riffle
ratio, embeddness, temperature, and channel width.
All habitat assessment data are compliant with the
EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols.
Does STORET support the
Integrated Taxonomic Information
System (ITIS)?
Yes, STORET can manage more than 320,000 taxa
from ITIS, the authoritative source for taxonomic
information. STORET contains information for the
following biological communities at many taxonomic
levels:
• Benthic macroinvertebrates
• Fish
• Amphibians
• Periphyton
• Phytoplankton/zooplankton
• Ichthyoplankton
Aquatic vegetation
Terrestrial vegetation
Fungi
Bacteria/virus
Mammals, birds, reptiles.
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How does STORET categorize
biomonitoring results?
S I OKI1, I defines and supports thriT types ot hiologu .il
samples: Biologii .il IiuJividu.il, Biological 'I'issui', .uul
Biological I .ixnii Abundance.
Biological Individual: I his s.miplr is defined .is .1 plant i>r
annual individual tor which the biologist records physical
measurements .ind/or observations. This individual is
uniquely identified in STORKT and may be used as .1
parent ot subsequent single or composite tissue samples.
Biological Tissue: This sample is defined as .1 plant or
animal biopart tor which a series ot either physical and/or
chemical measurements are recorded. This sample may In-
created from a single Biological Individual Sample (tissue
extraction) or from many Biological Individual Samples
(composite tissue), and as a result may have one or many
identified parent samples. Tissue samples may also
he recorded in STORKT without parent sample
identification.
Biological Taxon Abundance: Taxon abundance samples
have their results portioned into one or many biological
Result Groups. The user may create as many Result
Groups as needed in any combination to fully describe
the sample results. All Result Groups except Multi-Taxon
Population Census are taxon specific (i.e., restricted to
u single taxon of any rank). Each taxon may he grouped
as mam- times as necessary to tabulate all desired counts.
Multiple groups of the same Single Taxon type may be
made in order to capture detailed information about each
taxon in the sample. There are tour Result Groups:
• Multi-Taxon Population Census—This group
captures the total count (% cover, relative %, etc.) of
each taxa observed in the sample. Taxonomic Names
may be of any Taxonomic Rank. Species Numbers may
be added to all Ranks above Species. Lab Sample
Preparation Procedure, Field/Lab Procedure, and
Laboratory Information may he stored for each taxon.
• Single-Taxon Frequency—A sample may consist of
many of these Result Groups, one for each taxon
represented in the sample. This Result Group contains
two Subgroups: Physical and Biological. The Physical
subgroup allows tor the tabulated counts of the
members ot a single taxon according to sex and/or
litestage for user-defined physical Classes (e.g., The
researcher has the ability to create Class ranges for each
taxon. The Class subject is selected from a STORET
list ot ph\ SM ,i
lu'.ilth index, fti 1. theieln .
hislogt .nil. I lie Biologk al -^
enuinciatuMi ut the inrmlu-
ing to sc-\ .ind.oi litest.igc. '.
Proccduie. Field I ,.ib Proci-
Iniormation are .iv.ul.ihlr t<
Singlc-Tiixon Group Sunn
consist ot many ol these Rc-
ta.xon represented in the s.ir
data tor each individual wit
Group, the researcher may
according to items such as -
average weight or length, .1 •
various measures ot the gri>
Procedure. Reid/Lab Proccj:
Information are available ft
Single-Taxon Individuals—
ot many ot these Result Gr
represented in the sample. "
results on an individual has.
researcher may wish to rect
litestage, and a general ohs<
a given taxon. Lab Sample
Procedures are available foi-
How can I import e:
biomonitoring data
The STORKT Import Modu
with a tast, convenient, and aw
biomonitoring data from exis —
Data Application System [KL_
For more information about ^
Web site.
Where can I get m
information about
For more information, visit
Web site, www.epa.gov/ST"
contact the EPA STORKT
hotline at 1-800-424-9067.
STORKTC-'Vpa.gov.
Electronic copies ot this docu
others are available online at '
US KP/V
-------
STORET
A System for Managing
Biological Monitoring Data
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Protection Age
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What are the benefits of using
STORET as a biomonitoring database?
• STORET provides a common architecture for storing
data, which makes it easier for agencies to share
biomonitoring data.
• Once data are in STORET, they are available for public
viewing.
• STORET is a free product maintained by the EPA.
• STORET provides the ability to generate results and
reports of biomonitoring data.
• The system can store documents, graphics, and photos.
• Data in STORET are safe in the event of staff
turnover.
• All data are in one central location, not spread across
multiple databases and agencies.
• STORET is ODBC compliant, so it is easy to connect
to external analysis software.
What types of
biomonitoring
data does STORET
support?
STORET supports a variety
of types of biomonitoring data on fish, benthic
macroinvertebrates, and habitats. In addition, users can
store metadata describing how, where, and when field
data were collected. Examples of the types of data
STORET can store include:
• Fish—sampling methods, species richness, weight,
length, and fish tissue lab results.
• Benthic macroinvertebrates—sampling methods,
collection methods, and taxa or species frequency.
• Habitat assessment—riparian vegetation, velocity,
stream gradient, substrate components, pool/riffle
ratio, embeddness, temperature, and channel width.
All habitat assessment data are compliant with the
EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols.
Does STORET support the
Integrated Taxonomic Information
System (ITIS)?
Yes, STORET can manage more than 320,000 taxa
from ITIS, the authoritative source for taxonomic
information. STORET contains information for the
following biological communities at many taxonomic
levels:
Benthic macroinvertebrates
Fish
Amphibians
Periphyton
Phytoplankton/zooplankton
Ichthyoplankton
Aquatic vegetation
Terrestrial vegetation
Fungi
Bacteria/virus
i Mammals, birds, reptiles.
-------
How does STORET categorize
biomonitoring results?
STORET defines and supports three types of biological
samples: Biological Individual, Biological Tissue, and
Biological Taxon Abundance.
Biological Individual: This sample is defined as a plant or
animal individual for which the biologist records physical
measurements and/or observations. This individual is
uniquely identified in STORET and may be used as a
parent of subsequent single or composite tissue samples.
Biological Tissue: This sample is defined as a plant or
animal biopart for which a series of either physical and/or
chemical measurements are recorded. This sample may be
created from a single Biological Individual Sample (tissue
extraction) or from many Biological Individual Samples
(composite tissue), and as a result may have one or many
identified parent samples. Tissue samples may also
be recorded in STORET without parent sample
identification.
Biological Taxon Abundance: Taxon abundance samples
have their results portioned into one or many biological
Result Groups. The user may create as many Result
Groups as needed in any combination to fully describe
the sample results. All Result Groups except Multi-Taxon
Population Census are taxon specific (i.e., restricted to
a single taxon of any rank). Each taxon may be grouped
as many times as necessary to tabulate all desired counts.
Multiple groups of the same Single Taxon type may be
made in order to capture detailed information about each
taxon in the sample. There are four Result Groups:
• Multi-Taxon Population Census—This group
captures the total count (% cover, relative %, etc.) of
each taxa observed in the sample. Taxonomic Names
may be of any Taxonomic Rank. Species Numbers may
be added to all Ranks above Species. Lab Sample
Preparation Procedure, Field/Lab Procedure, and
Laboratory Information may be stored for each taxon.
• Single-Taxon Frequency—A sample may consist of
many of these Result Groups, one for each taxon
represented in the sample. This Result Group contains
two Subgroups: Physical and Biological. The Physical
subgroup allows for the tabulated counts of the
members of a single taxon according to sex and/or
lifestage for user-defined physical Classes (e.g., The
researcher has the ability to create Class ranges for each
taxon. The Class subject is selected from a STORET
list of physical attributes such as fork length, weight,
health index, etc.), thereby creating a parametric
histogram. The Biological subgroup allows for the
enumeration of the members of a single taxon accord-
ing to sex and/or lifestage. Lab Sample Preparation
Procedure, Field/Lab Procedure, and Laboratory
Information are available for each characteristic.
• Single-Taxon Group Summary—A sample may
consist of many of these Result Groups, one for each
taxon represented in the sample. Rather than recording
data for each individual within the Single Taxon
Group, the researcher may summarize the group
according to items such as the number of individuals,
average weight or length, and maxima and minima of
various measures of the group. Lab Sample Preparation
Procedure, Field/Lab Procedure, and Laboratory
Information are available for each characteristic.
• Single-Taxon Individuals—A sample may consist
of many of these Result Groups, one for each taxon
represented in the sample. The researcher may record
results on an individual basis. For example, the
researcher may wash to record weight, fork length, sex,
lifestage, and a general observation for each member of
a given taxon. Lab Sample Preparation and Field/Lab
Procedures are available for each individual.
How can I import existing
biomonitoring data into STORET?
The STORET Import Module (SIM) provides agencies
with a fast, convenient, and automated way to import
biomonitoring data from existing systems (e.g., Ecological
Data Application System [EDAS]) into STORET.
For more information about SIM, refer to the STORET
Web site.
Where can I get more
information about STORET?
For more information, visit the STORET
Web site, www.epa.gov/STORET, or
contact the EPA STORET assistance
hotline at 1-800-424-9067, or at
STORET@epa.gov.
^ i
Electronic copies of this document along with many
others are available online at www.epa.gov/STORET
EPA841-F-03-012c, February 2004
US EPA, MC 4503T, Washington, DC 20460
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