Published:
March 1, 1994

Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages have been an integral part of the Chesapeake Bay monitoring program since its inception due to their ecological importance and their value as biological indicators. The condition of benthic assemblages reflects an integration of temporally variable environmental conditions and the effects of multiple types of environmental stresses. As such, benthic assemblages provide a useful complement to more temporally variable chemical and water quality monitoring measures.