Lower Columbia River Estuary
Development of Biological Integrity Indicators
Type: Extent
of habitat (i.e., area of habitat and whether there has been a decline); condition
of habitat and sources affecting habitat (i.e., the condition or functionality
of the habitat); and stressors affecting habitat (i.e., which sources
have contributed to its degradation and whether they are direct or indirect
factors).
Category: Submerged, Intertidal, Wetland, and Upland
Cost: Information not provided.
Description: During the CCMP planning process, the Estuary Partnership
developed set of 13 environmental indicator papers to be used primarily as a
public outreach tool. Currently we are developing a set of measurable indicators
to track progress at implementation. The Estuary Partnership sponsored a technical
workshop in 5/99 where some 55 participants recommended that we develop Indicators
of Biological Integrity (IBIs) for subsystems in study area such as a fish IBI,
a macroinvertebrate IBI, etc. as well as an overall IBI. We have begun work
on an IBI for intertidal habitat.
Outcome: Ultimately, we plan to use IBIs to track ecosystem condition
for both the scientific community and the public. We also intend to use a broader
set of indicators such as acres of wetland habitat restored to track progress
in CCMP implementation.
Contact: Bruce Sutherland, (503) 226-1565
Citation: Information not provided.
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