Genus-level macroinvertebrate methods limit the conservation coverage afforded aquatic species

Benthic macroinvertebrate protocols, in the United States, have been integral implementation of Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq. (1972)). The methods these protocols are designed to describe patterns biological water quality and ecological condition relevant legislative oversight, require a tradeoff between taxonomic precision protocol simplicity. global similarity evolutionary responses challenges life flowing waters, by stream organisms, has greatly facilitated development data from freshwater mussels, fishes aquatic insects into streamlined regulatory frameworks. Unfortunately, factors that expedite use benthic descriptions sufficient for processes (taxonomic generalizations, standardization sampling procedures focus on narrow subset available habitats) also limit utility conservation species (the large majority which insects). Using simple hypothetical simulations, some examples database one state USA (Illinois), large-scale inventory insect network US National Parks, I illustrate how limited their ability effectively species. identify, challenge, explore three basic assumptions implicit genus- family-level identification widely used science, then discuss failure may create empirical, theoretical philosophical obstacles interpretation certainly hinder offer hopeful suggestions improving within reach all ecologists.