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goal is a statewide aquatic classification that will allow biologists
to identify the stream type and compare their observed aquatic
sample to the expected community of organisms in similar streams
of reference condition (e.g. unaltered aquatic habitats, MT
DEQ Tier I or II). This classification can focus conservation
efforts on rare community types, streams that are likely to
contain species of concern, or streams with the full compliment
of native species.
The aquatic ecological classification system we developed for
the Missouri River Watershed is based on a
national hierarchical framework created by The Nature Conservancy.
Our Montana classification is the first Western aquatic classification
to integrate biological communities with abiotic stream parameters
like geology and hydrology. (See
our full report.) This coupling allows us to predict biological
communities in aquatic types and watersheds. Our goal was to
answer 3 primary questions:
1. What types of aquatic communities exist in Montana?
2. Where in the landscape/watershed are they found?
3. How can we assess aquatic health -- which occurrences represent
the best, most viable examples of each community type?
The classification hierarchy enables managers to utilize the
classification at various spatial scales depending on the level
of depth or breadth of information needed to answer their questions
(i.e., at the landscape level or the local reach scale). Rosgen
(1996) and Cowardin
et al. (1979) stream classification protocols are well established
but are based on abiotic variables and not hierarchical.
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