Services Overview

Taxonomy Services

EcoAnalysts has assembled the top team of taxonomists in North America comprised of 10 taxonomists with 20 SFS certifications and over 190 years of combined taxonomy experience. Multiple taxonomists working on your project in a professional laboratory increases the accuracy and repeatability of identifications. In addition to our taxonomy staff, we employ 15 full time professional sorting technicians, including specially trained quality control technicians. This allows us to minimize the potential for introducing sorting error in the bioassessment process. Organisms that our taxonomists identify include:

• • Benthic Macroinvertebrates
• • Terrestrial Invertebrates
• • Periphyton (diatoms and soft algae)
• • Phytoplankton
• • Zooplankton
• • Fish (eggs, larvae, juvenile and adult)

Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species Surveys

Our ecologists are permitted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to work with several federally listed terrestrial and aquatic invertebrate species. We can perform surveys for these species and determine their presence/absence in your project area, develop conservation plans for these species, and monitor constructed habitat for mitigation purposes.

Invasive Species

Invasive species are a major threat to the biological integrity of our waters and our landscape. EcoAnalysts has a wide range of experience with many terrestrial and aquatic invasive species. Our experts can design and implement surveys to determine the extent of infestations, develop strategies for containment where feasible, and develop models to assess the risk of infestation.

Special Service: Zebra and Quagga Mussel Detection
EcoAnalysts is on the cutting edge of early detection and identification of Zebra, Quagga, and Corbicula veligers (larvae). Using light microscopy and cross-polarization microscopy, we offer expertise in detecting and identifying these aquatic invasives. Our methods are more accurate and cost effective than automated detection methods.

Study Design

The first and probably most important step in the bioassessment process is designing a study. The process begins with one question: What are you trying to accomplish with the project? Once your objectives are clear, EcoAnalysts’ scientists will make recommendations as to which biological indicators will best suit your needs, including logistical and budget considerations. We will design your study to include all necessary components, including:

• • a sampling strategy that matches the requirements in your region, with detailed protocols for efficient and scientifically sound sample collection
• • detailed instructions on the handling and processing of the samples you collect
• • taxonomic effort levels and raw data requirements
• • a list of the necessary metrics and indices to get the most out of the data

Data Analysis

The final step in the bioassessment process involves the analysis of data and each project has its own special requirements. Our Master’s level and Ph.D. level consulting ecologists have a high degree of expertise in quantitative methods and applied ecological theory. We have a great deal of experience calculating metrics and indices from all over the United States. These data are considered along with habitat conditions, water chemistry, statistical analyses, and other information to provide a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the data. Our involvement does not stop with reporting —EcoAnalysts is always available to assist with further explanation, interpretation, and analysis.

Supplemetal Laboratory Services

EcoAnalysts provides several laboratory services in addition to taxonomy, including:

• • Biomass: wet weight, dry weight, ash-free dry mass, length-weight regressions
• • Chlorophyll a,b,c, and pheophytin corrections (Spectrophotometry-EPA 446.0)
• • Biovolume
• • Individual organism measurements
• • Tissue metal content analyses