This report presents a core set of ecological indicators that can be used to assess the state of the Narragansett Bay and its watersheds. An ecological indicator here is defined as a “measureable feature which singly or in combination provides managerially and scientifically useful evidence of ecosystem quality, or reliable evidence of trends in quality.” The authors state that the indicators do not represent all variables that are monitored but a set of recommended parameters that should be monitored over time to support a long-term resource management and decision-making process. The indicators will help in evaluating and communicating information about the state of the bay.
Some key concepts reflected in the literature regarding ecological indicators include:
- Number of indicators—There can be as many as 90 indicators, but that number usually can be narrowed down to 10–20 indicators.
- Need for a suite of indicators—Most literature recommends a suite of indicators to represent the ecosystem.
- Need to link indicators to goals and objectives.
- Value of conceptual models.
- Importance of a reference condition.
- Selection criteria—Often included are criteria such as relevant, appropriate scale, sensitive/responsive, meaningful, supported, data quality, and data available.
Note: A list of key literature and programs the authors and the workshop attendees reviewed are in the original document.
In coming up with a list of indicators for Narragansett Bay, the following management categories were first identified: landscape composition and use, water and sediment conditions, habitat conditions, and fish and wildlife populations and biodiversity.
Core indicators are grouped under Bay and Watershed.
Landscape composition and use indicators
Bay
- Shoreline buffers
Watershed
- Impervious surface
- Shoreline buffers
- Protected undeveloped land
- Population density
Water and sediment condition indicators
Bay
- Water temperature
- Salinity
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Pathogens
- Metals
- Organics
- Total suspended solids
- Flows and circulation
Watershed
- Water temperature
- pH
- Oxygen
- Phosphorus
- Nitrogen
- Pathogens
- Metals
- Organics
- Total suspended solids
- Hydrology
Habitat condition indicators and metrics
Bay
- Coastal wetlands—metrics include acres and length
- Benthic habitats—metrics include extent of submerged land substrate, submerged aquatic vegetation, and patchiness
Watershed
- Anadromous fish habitat—metrics include miles/acres of accessible suitable riverine spawning habitat
- Freshwater wetlands—metrics include acres of wetlands and length of shoreline edge
- Forested lands—metrics include forested land and extent of intact core habitats
Fish and wildlife populations and biodiversity
Bay
- Fish and invertebrates
- Shellfish
- Benthic organisms
- Birds and marine mammals
- Chlorophyll
- Primary production—metric is net primary production
Watershed
- Fish and invertebrates
- Macroinvertebrates
- Birds and mammals
- Reptiles and amphibians
- Chlorophyll
- Primary production—metric is net primary production
The authors note that, to support decision-making, indicators need to be “more than a simple listing of potentially disconnected parameters.” The framework needs to analyze and assess the information represented by various indicators to make valid conclusions about the current state of the ecosystem (Kleinschmidt Energy & Water Resource Consultants 2003).
Reference:
Kleinschmidt Energy & Water Resource Consultants. 2003. Ecological Indicators for Narragansett Bay and its Watersheds. Prepared for the Partnership for Narragansett Bay. Accessed October 2016. Exit.