摘要：With regard to the identification of benthic macroinvertebrates, we evaluated the extent to which family-based information gathered by non-scientist volunteers compared to genus-level analysis by scientists. Volunteer monitors were trained in the techniques of family-level benthic macroinvertebrate analysis by scientists. The volunteers then sampled a local third order stream, identified specimens to the family level, and calculated metrics that led to a water quality rating based on the family-level data. The scientists examined all of the samples, identified the specimens to the genus-level, and re-calculated the metrics and the resultant water quality rating. Metrics of water quality based on family-level analysis did not always correlate well with those based on genus-level analysis. However, ratings of overall water quality were either identical or differed little between the family and genus levels of analyses.
