Get to know our 2025 Crews
We get the chance to work with some pretty awesome people and we want to highlight some of this years accomplishments!
Our Publications
Explore the latest news from MBI, discover insights from our scientific research articles, and access our comprehensive technical reports on freshwater water quality assessments.
Featured Publications
Highlighting engaging educational articles on water science, nature, and species, along with important MBI news.
Nov 3rd, 2025
Get to know our 2025 Crews
Chelsea Dingess
Mar 17th, 2023
A Snapshot of “Ancient” Mussels in Central Ohio
Jack T Freda
Anthony Sasson
Jun 25th, 2021
Shining Star Roger Thoma Retires
Allison Boehler
Jun 8th, 2021
Best of luck, Blair!
Allison Boehler
Oct 31st, 2017
Disco Wasn't the Only Bad Thing about the 70s
Jack T Freda
Publications
Latest Publications
Explore our newest educational content about freshwater ecosystems, fascinating species, and more.
Nov 12th, 2025
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Roberts Millikin Ditch, Barbee Ditch, and Dry Run Subwatersheds 2024
Chris O Yoder
Nov 3rd, 2025
Get to know our 2025 Crews
Chelsea Dingess
Dec 23rd, 2024
MBI/2023-7-15
Relationships and Thresholds for Continuous Dissolved Oxygen Variables, Nutrient Effects, and Biological Attributes in Northeast Illinois Rivers and Streams
Chris O Yoder
Dec 17th, 2024
MBI/2024-3-1
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Upper Des Plaines River 2022
Chris O Yoder
Jun 24th, 2024
Watershed Monitoring and Bioassessment Plan for the Central Ohio Watersheds
Chris O Yoder
Mar 14th, 2024
MBI/2023-12-12
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Middle Scioto River, Lower Olentangy River, and Lower Olentangy Tributaries 2022
Chris O Yoder
Publication Categories
Browse our complete library of publications organized by type - from educational articles to comprehensive technical research.
The MBI Glossary
Need help with technical terminology? Our glossary provides clear definitions of key terms used in freshwater science and environmental research.
Modified Index of Well-Being (MIwb)
The Modified Index of Well-Being (MIwb) is based on fish assemblage measures including numbers, biomass, and two diversity indices (Shannon Index) based on numbers and biomass. The numbers and biomass metrics exclude highly tolerant species. It reflects the overall productivity and diversity of the fish assemblage and it frequently responds before the IBI to improvements in water quality and habitat.
Riparian Metric
The riparian zone of a stream is the area adjacent to the edges of rivers, streams, lakes, and other water bodies. They differ from the surrounding uplands because their soils and vegetation are shaped by the presence of water. In the cQHEI and QHEI, the riparian metric includes information on the width of the zone, the influence of land uses outside of the immediate riparian zone and the condition of banks (i.e., degree of erosion).
Ambient Monitoring
Sampling and evaluation of a water body measured immediately upstream (or outside) of the immediate influence of a particular source of pollutants or pollutant parameters during summer-fall normal flow conditions
Technical Reports
Latest Technical Reports
Comprehensive reports detailing our research findings, data analyses, and environmental assessments.
Nov 12th, 2025
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Roberts Millikin Ditch, Barbee Ditch, and Dry Run Subwatersheds 2024
Chris O Yoder
Dec 23rd, 2024
MBI/2023-7-15
Relationships and Thresholds for Continuous Dissolved Oxygen Variables, Nutrient Effects, and Biological Attributes in Northeast Illinois Rivers and Streams
Chris O Yoder
Dec 17th, 2024
MBI/2024-3-1
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Upper Des Plaines River 2022
Chris O Yoder
Jun 24th, 2024
Watershed Monitoring and Bioassessment Plan for the Central Ohio Watersheds
Chris O Yoder
Mar 14th, 2024
MBI/2023-12-12
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Middle Scioto River, Lower Olentangy River, and Lower Olentangy Tributaries 2022
Chris O Yoder
Aug 7th, 2023
MBI/2020-5-10
Integrated Prioritization System (IPS) for Northeastern Illinois: Technical Documentation and Atlas of Stressor Relationships
Chris O Yoder