The overall goal of this project is to increase the knowledge and data available to more effectively protect and manage freshwater aquatic resources in the Canadian and cross-border portions of the NA LCC. Specifically, the classification will: 1) fill a large data gap by developing and mapping an aquatic ecosystem classification in the Canadian portion of the NA LCC; 2) provide the ecological basis to identify “representative” aquatic ecosystems for management, restoration, research and most importantly as an aid to programs and organizations aimed at conserving biological diversity of freshwater resources; 3) provide common definitions and mapping of aquatic habitat types across provincial and bordering state lines allowing each province/state to identify aquatic habitats consistently across jurisdictional borders; 4) build a greater understanding of the state of the aquatic ecosystems by providing a standardized approach for assessing the current state of riverine ecosystems and identifying potential changes to riverine ecosystems resulting from the alteration of physical and biological processes.
