TIP1AM Ecological Epidemiology in Action (Part 1)
Tuesday, 15 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 11:40 AM in 349-350

(NOR-1117-755303) The Evolution of the Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS).

Norton, S¹, Suter, G², Cormier, S², ¹ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA² U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA

ABSTRACT- The Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS) (http://www.epa.gov/caddis) is a web-based decision support system that helps investigators in the regions, states and tribes find, access, use and share information to determine the causes of biological impairments in aquatic systems. It is based on the USEPA's Stressor Identification process, which is a formal method for identifying causes. This presentation describes how CADDIS and stressor identification have evolved in response to feedback from case studies and peer reviews. The step-by-step guide to stressor identification that is featured in CADDIS reflects current thinking on how best to develop a defensible causal analysis. In addition to the guide, CADDIS includes downloadable worksheets and examples, a library of conceptual models, and links to helpful information. Future plans include modules on deriving empirical stressor-response relationships; stressor-specific tolerance values; and databases and syntheses of relevant literature on sediments and toxic metals. Future versions will be developed incrementally and iteratively, and frequent user input and feedback will be essential to the system's success.

Key words: ecological epidemiology, decision support system, biological monitoring, TMDL