Ecosystem Viltality Biodiversity (BIO) Biodiversity (BIO)

Biodiversity assesses potential shifts in ecosystem functioning by measuring changes in freshwater biota. The status and trends of a basin’s freshwater biodiversity signify ecosystem health, with declining populations of native species and increasing populations of invasive and nuisance species indicating deteriorating conditions or ecosystem degradation. The biodiversity indicator is comprised of the number (expressed as both species richness and abundance) and changes in:

Species of concern consisting of threatened aquatic or riparian (water-dependent) species and other species of interest (such as keystone or umbrella species) that will be affected by changes in habitat condition. Both species presence or absence and their population trends over time are of interest.

Invasive and nuisance species in lakes, waterways and the riparian zone indicate anthropogenic alteration of ecological conditions, as these are the circumstances that allow alien species to thrive at the expense of native species. Numbers of species present and their population trends are of interest.