Biotic Index

Case Study 2 – Biotic Index
Instructions
**There is a template for the assignment ** please use it ** if you have questions, please connect with me in email. For the submission upload the completed template case study and both completed field forms. You will attach three separate documents to this submission.**

Water Science Case Study 2 – Biotic Index

A survey was recently completed on the Chopawamsic Creek, and the data are provided as part of this assignment. Included is a map of the area and a photo of the sampling team in the creek. This photo shows the depth of the creek and how the macroinvertebrate community was sampled. Your task in this case study is to use the attached data and complete the Rapid Bioassessment field forms for each site. Note that some files are attached to the Assignment to help you work through the data given. You will need to sift through the available resources and determine what specifically to extract for this write-up, which must be concise.

For the Case Study 2 assignment you are to submit the completed field forms (one per site – please use the RapidBioassessmentSheet_blankform.pdf, completing one for each site) and construct a visual to display the results. You will write a one page paper (one page maximum text, excluding the title page, visual, and reference list) that explains how you calculated the Water Quality Rating and what it means. Look over the individual taxa collected at each site, consider the number of taxa that represent each pollution class, and discuss the use of a rapid biotic index for determination of water quality. This write-up should be limited to a maximum of one page of text. Cite all sources used in APA style.

Grading will focus on the correct values for the Water Quality Rating, reasoning, and depth of understanding of the application of a biotic index. Your target audience for this paper is a professional scientific audience.

Grading will focus on:

Field Forms – a field form is submitted and correct for each of the two field sites
Calculations – described in the paper
Visual Displaying Results – craft a figure or a table to present results – use APA format for the caption, which should be complete and explain the visual in full – label the visual (e.g., Figure 1, Table 1) and refer the reader to the visual within the write-up – clearly presents the results
Explains the Concept of a Biotic Index – why is it used, where and when is it used, what does it tell us, etc.
References – include a reference list in APA style – cite a minimum of two scientific sources – if you do not cite a source in the text, delete it from the reference list – follow APA style for both parenthetical (in-text) citations and the reference list
Use 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double space, 1″ margins. Do not exceed one page of text. This will require clear and concise writing. This is *not* a full lab report, and it should cover exactly and specifically what is in bold above.

Submission Instructions: Submit this assignment through the Assignments. This course uses automatic plagiarism checking software (Turnitin). You may submit your work prior to the deadline to check your similarity scores (aim for 15% similarity or less). It takes roughly 15 minutes for the system to process your submission and show the score. Submissions after the assignment due date will not be accepted without prior approval.

Used American Psychological Association (APA), 7th edition.