Monitoring
For someone interested in learning about place-based monitoring and engaging in stream monitoring practices in Hawaiʻi, the PEWA Toolkit and resources provided by Nā Maka Onaona are invaluable. PEWA is designed with and for Hoaʻāina (caretakers of the land), ensuring that the practices are deeply rooted in the local environment and culture.
Key Asects of PEWA
Developed with a Purpose
The PEWA (Place-Based and Effective Wai Monitoring for Adaptive Management) toolkit, crafted by Nā Maka Onaona, serves as a comprehensive guide for communities embarking on the journey of river system monitoring in Hawai'i. It's designed to facilitate the identification, characterization, and assessment of rivers, focusing on the vital drivers that influence ecosystem productivity and the interplay with native stream fauna. Developed to fill the gap in Hawai'i for a reliable, repeatable set of community-friendly monitoring tools that also cater to the needs of researchers, managers, and policymakers, PEWA aims to empower communities in their stewardship roles, enhancing their capacity for informed decision-making and active participation in waterway management and conservation efforts.
What is Monitored?
The toolkit encompasses a variety of biological, physical, and chemical parameters providing critical snapshots of water conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, stream biota, chlorophyll ɑ, habitat conditions, flow rates, turbidity, water quality parameters like temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, salinity, and nutrients. In Haleleʻa, monitoring practices are tailored to address the unique environmental and cultural context of the area. Emphasis is placed on understanding the primary and secondary drivers affecting stream ecosystems and utilizing the recommended tools and methods to gather meaningful data.
Tools and Methods
The toolkit recommends several tools for different parameters:
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Hoʻomaʻa Checklist:
A comprehensive checklist intended to help users familiarize themselves with their stream and gather essential background information for effective monitoring.
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Bio-Hybrid Survey:
For a comprehensive assessment of biological, physical, and chemical components, f stream ecosystems, offering a holistic view of waterbody conditions.
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Huliʻia:
Focused on Phenology, observing seasonal changes and shifts across entire landscapes, providing insights into natural cycles and their impacts on stream health.
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Extech EC400:
A multiparameter instrument measuring temperature, conductivity, salinity, and total dissolved solids.
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Refractometer:
Used for estimating salinity levels, especially useful in coastal or estuarine applications, where salinity can vary significantly.
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HACH 2100Q:
A portable turbidimeter that measures turbidity, offering insights into water clarity and the potential presence of suspended particles.
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Laboratory Analysis:
For more detailed analysis of turbidity and inorganic nutrients, laboratory analysis can provide precise measurements, crucial for in-depth water quality assessments.
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Turbidity Test Tube:
A simple, cost-effective method for estimating turbidity, currently under field testing within the PEWA framework for its efficacy and reliability.
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Extech DO600, CHEMets, Monitor:
Tools for measuring dissolved oxygen levels in water, essential for assessing the ability of a waterbody to support aquatic life.
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API Freshwater Kit/TBD:
While not as accurate as more sophisticated tools, this low-tech kit can provide basic pH level readings, offering a general understanding of water acidity or alkalinity.
Additional Resources
Monitoring Resources
To support your monitoring endeavors, we offer a list of resources, including literature and website links:
A collection of tools for river system inquiry, focusing on biological, physical, and chemical parameters of the water. This toolkit is designed to be accessible, providing cost and time-efficient ways to monitor streams.
Detailed studies and findings from local research on stream ecosystems, offering insights into effective monitoring practices and the importance of data sovereignty.
Provides extensive resources on stream monitoring techniques, native species identification, and the ecological importance of Hawaiʻi's streams.
Offers guidelines and best practices for water quality monitoring, ensuring that your efforts align with broader environmental standards.