Sentinel Stream Metrics 1982 - Current

Vermont DEC collects macroinvertebrate community samples during an annual index period that runs from September 1st through mid-October. Samples are collected from riffle habitats, and sorted and identified in the laboratory. DEC biologists use population data, as well as a number of community variables (called metrics) to assess stream health.佛蒙特州环境保护部（Vermont DEC）会在每年9月1日至10月中旬的年度指数监测周期内采集大型无脊椎动物群落样本。样本均取自河流急流生境，随后在实验室完成分拣与物种鉴定。该部门生物学家将利用种群数据及多项群落变量（亦称群落指标），对河流健康状况进行评估。