Ecosystem Vitality Indicators
WATER QUALITY
The state of water quality necessary for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems, rather than for human consumption.
WATER QUANTITY
Amount and flow of water through the basin.
SUB-INDICATORS
Deviation from Natural Flow:
The degree to which current water flows have shifted from historic, natural flows.
Groundwater Storage Depletion:
Changes in the availability of water stored in aquifers.
BASIN CONDITION
The extent of physical modifications to land cover and streams, rivers and channel.
SUB-INDICATORS
Bank Modification:
The percentage of channelization or human-caused disturbance to stream banks, affecting the size and effect of floodplains.
Flow Connectivity:
The fragmentation of the stream network, due to natural and human-made obstructions that affect fish passage.
Flow Connectivity:
The fragmentation of the stream network, due to natural and human-made obstructions that affect fish passage.
Land Cover Naturalness: Alteration of the land cover from its natural undisturbed state
BIODIVERSITY
Population status and trends of species that depend on freshwater ecosystems.
SUB-INDICATORS
Species of Concern: Threatened aquatic or riparian species and other species of particular interest to the basin.
Invasive & Nuisance Species: Alien species in the ecosystem that thrive at the expense of native species.