Assessing the Health of Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands

PHASE II OVERVIEW

We compiled and analyzed the data collected by the six pilot projects to determine the degree to which the studied indicators can be used to diagnose wetland status across the basin. The indicators included: fish, invertebrates, wetland plants, birds, amphibians, contaminated sediments, water chemistry and landscape attributes. The criteria under assessment were: cost, measurability, basinwide applicability of sampling by wetland type, availability of complementary existing data or research, indicator sensitivity, and ability to set endpoins or attainment levels.

DELIVERABLES

Master fish species list

Master bird species list

Master amphibian species list

Master invertebrate species list

Master plant species list

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

Datasheets

Protocols, Project information, Site information, Coordinates

Data from the six projects have been compiled and sent to the Great Lakes Commission. These data include: fish, macroinvertebrates, plants, birds, amphibians, water chemistry, sediments and landscape attributes. Please email the Great Lakes Commission with questions or requests regarding those data.

Meixler, M.S. 2005. Assessment of 2002 Great Lakes coastal wetlands indicator data. Report by Cornell University, Ithaca, NY to the Great Lakes Commission. 209 pp.

Meixler, M. S. 2004. Assessment of 2002 Great Lakes coastal wetlands indicator data. State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference 2004. Toronto, ON. 6 October.

Meixler, M. S. and the Lake Ontario Biocomplexity Research Team. 2004. Using Lake Ontario biocomplexity research sites for coastal environmental indicator testing. International Association of Great Lakes Research 47th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research. Waterloo, ON. 27 May.

Meixler, M. S. 2004. Analysis and techniques assessment of data collected at wetlands in the Great Lakes basin in 2002. New York Wetlands Forum. Rochester, NY. 31 March.