Landscape Partnership Resources Library
Literature Review of Freshwater Classification Frameworks
Identifying aquatic ecosystems requires a classification of stream and lake features into recognizable entities or categories. Although a number of nationally recognized terrestrial community classifications exist, the most accepted being the National Vegetation Classification System (Grossman et al. 1998), currently there is no national or international standard for classifying aquatic communities or ecosystems. Despite the lack of a national aquatic community classification, aquatic ecosystem classifications and frameworks have been developed at a variety of spatial scales. Their goal is often to reflect the distribution of aqutic biological communities. These assemblages recur across the landscape under similar habitat conditions and ecological processes (Higgins et al. 2005). The methods used to develop aquatic ecosystem classifications vary widely, as do the biotic and abiotic variables considered in the classifications. The classifications generally fall into two broad categories: 1) taxonomic or bio-ecosystem classifications and 2) environmental or geo-physical ecosystem classifications (Rowe and Barnes 1994); however some classifications combine aspects of both.
Literature Review of Freshwater Classification Frameworks
Identifying aquatic ecosystems requires a classification of stream and lake features into recognizable categories. Although a number of nationally recognized terrestrial community classifications exist, currently there is no national or international standard for classifying aquatic communities or ecosystems. Despite the lack of a national aquatic community classification, aquatic ecosystem classifications and frameworks have been developed at a variety of spatial scales to reflect the distribution of aquatic biological communities. This report reviews these freshwater classification frameworks, providing detailed analysis and application examples of taxonomic, environmental, and hydrologic classifications in use within the Appalachian region.
Presentation: Ecosystem and Species-Based Cores and Connectivity
Presentation by Kevin McGarigal (UMass) on the species-based and ecosystem-based approaches to core area generation, and their connectivity, to the Connecticut River Watershed Landscape Conservation Design Core Team
Document: Ecosystem Scenarios Summary for Terrestrial Subteam
This document summarizes the recent decisions made to date related to ecosystem core areas and provides additional information to aid in making final decisions on the remaining questions.
Document: Notes from 09-26-2014 Core Team Meeting
Annotated notes from Kevin McGarigal's presentation and transcript of discussions by Core Team.
Poster: Connecticut River Pilot
Poster on the Connecticut River Pilot Landscape Conservation Design by the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative and UMass-Amherst
Goal 4: Steering Committee Function and Leadership of Work Plan Report Card
FY2014 Annual Steering Committee Meeting 5-Year Work Plan (“Report Card” updated August 2014).
Goal 3: Engagement & Dialogue of Work Plan Report Card
FY2014 Annual Steering Committee Meeting 5-Year Work Plan (“Report Card” updated August 2014).
Goal 2: Landscape-level Planning of Work Plan Report Card
FY2014 Annual Steering Committee Meeting of 5-Year Work Plan (“Report Card” updated August 2014).
Goal 1: Data and Toolsets of Work Plan Report Card
FY2014 Annual Steering Committee Meeting 5-Year Work Plan ( “Report Card” updated August 2014).
Riparian Restoration Appendix 1: Canopy Cover Statistics
Canopy Cover by State.
Riparian Restoration Appendix 1: Canopy Cover Statistics
Canopy Cover by State.
Full SC Meeting & Workshop Notes, September 3-5, 2014
Full meeting notes.
Major Highlights and Action Items from Appalachian LCC Steering Committee Meeting & Workshop Sept 3-5, 2014
The focus of the Steering Committee Meeting & Workshop was to advance the work of the conservation planning process. During the Workshop, Steering Committee members and invited experts began developing a process for articulating Appalachian LCC priority resources – considering both natural and cultural resources.
People on the Land and Along the Water: Understanding Traditional and Place-Based Knowledge
Presentation by Jennifer Talken-Spaulding.
Cultural Resources: An Overview of Heritage Resources at the Landscape Level
Presentation by Perry Wheelock.
Steering Committee Business Meeting Presentation
By Jean Brennan.
Assessing Appalachian Ecosystem Services Threats and Vulnerabilities
Presentation by Lars Pomara.
Social Values and Socio-Economics
Introduction to the WNC Vitality Index Tool by Jim Fox and Angie Chandler.
Local Lessons for a Global Landscape Challenge
DESIGN AND PLANNING RESPONSES TO UNCONVENTIONAL SHALE GAS DEVELOPMENT by Tim Murtha
