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A Methodology For Identifying And Classifying Aquatic Biodiversity
Investment Areas: Application In The Great Lakes Basin
Dr. Heather A. Morrisona;
Dr. Charles K. Minnsb; Dr.
Joseph F. Kooncec
aAqualink,
4936 Yonge Street, Suite 507, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 6S3
bGreat
Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Bayfield
Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Burlington, Ontario,
L7R 4A6, email: minnsk@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
fax: 905-336-6437
cDepartment
of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio,
44106-7080
Internet web-site: http://129.22.156.152/ABIA/index.htm
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Abstract
A scientifically-defensible methodology for identifying
areas of high biodiversity in aquatic environments is presented.
Areas of high biodiversity or Aquatic Biodiversity Investment Areas
(ABIAs) are identified using a technique referred to as Habitat
Supply Analysis (HSA). HSA uses the microhabitat features of an
ecosystem in conjunction with information on the microhabitat preferences
of fish to calculate the suitability of an area to fish. The method
is structured so that the suitability of habitat to lifestages of
fish, species of fish, groups of fish and fish assemblages can be
evaluated. The methodology recognizes that to some degree all areas
within an aquatic system contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity.
As such, a classification scheme is proposed to evaluate the potential
versus the actual contribution of an area to the maintenance of
biodiversity in an ecosystem. This classification scheme is designed
to help prioritize habitat restoration and preservation efforts.
Prototype evaluations of the methodology for identifying and classifying
ABIAs are presented.
Keywords: habitat, HEP, HIS, HAS
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