Description: This data was integrated into the Overall Assessment of the State of Nearshore Waters. The general health of an ecosystem may be reflected in the benthic invertebrate community, as composition can vary from habitat conditions and human stressors. Contaminants in benthic communities can bioaccumulate or biomagnify in the food chain and become a source of contamination to other aquatic life and to humans. The benthic community is assessed through statistical analysis of survey sites using total benthos, taxon richness and evenness.Source data is from two monitoring programs:Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) Great Lakes Index Stations (2006, 2009, 2012) Network and Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) Great Lakes Action Plan Area of Concern and Reference Sites (2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014).Low Stress: benthic community condition is functional; Moderate Stress: benthic community condition is degraded but functional; High Stress: benthic community condition is degraded and not functional
Service Item Id: 88ea2713069c4a57a0de8c6f9785c438
Copyright Text: Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) - Strategic Policy Branch - RDGO
Environment and Climate Change Canada Great Lakes Action Plan Area of Concern and Reference Sites
Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks Great Lakes Index Stations Network