Watershed & Ecosystem Planning

Examining and monitoring one species or habitat often is not adequate for managing human impacts to the natural environment. Single species and habitats can be good indicators providing early warning of changes that are coming. However, knowing how that species or habitat fits in the broader picture is necessary for planning and management. For example, knowing what water quality parameter and level is likely to cause population changes in a particular fish species, and then knowing how important that fish species is as either a food source for others or as a predator is the kind of information necessary to undertake planning and management on a watershed or ecosystem scale.

Identification of ecologically and biologically significant habitats and keystone species that support the local foodweb are necessary to manage for non-detrimental change. East Coast Aquatics can produce the necessary planning and management documents that help prioritize and guide the decision making process necessary to maintain watershed and ecosystem values.