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Aquatic Conservation Planning at a Landscape Scale

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Landscape-scale Conservation Planning

Abstract

Inland surface waters provide vital ecosystem services and support a diverse and important biota. An overriding feature of freshwater ecosystems is ­connectedness, which has been compromised by a wide range of human actions. Strong connections between terrestrial watersheds and receiving waters, and upstream and downstream linkages within river systems, make a large-scale ­perspective essential in conservation planning. In this chapter, we present the essential elements of large-scale aquatic conservation planning, with emphasis on stream and river ecosystems of the Northern Appalachian/Acadian Ecoregion. We review relevant aspects of the structure and function of freshwater ecosystems, discuss ­different approaches to aquatic conservation, and provide a case study of large-scale conservation planning and implementation in the Connecticut River basin.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank A. Jospe, A. Lester, and J. Zimmerman for data and assistance in the preparation of the figures. We would also like to acknowledge the support of the Bingam Trust and The USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Fisheries Biologist and Team Leader, USDA Forest Service – Northern Research Station, Massachusetts, MA, 01003, USA

    Keith H. Nislow

  2. The Nature Conservancy, 25 Main Street, Suite 220, Northampton, MA, 01060, USA

    Christian O. Marks

  3. Connecticut River Program, The Nature Conservancy, 25 Main Street, Suite 220, Northampton, MA, 01060, USA

    Kimberly A. Lutz (Director)

Authors
  1. Keith H. Nislow
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  2. Christian O. Marks
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  3. Kimberly A. Lutz
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Correspondence to Keith H. Nislow .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Biology and Program in Env, Middlebury College, Middlebury, 05753, USA

    Stephen C. Trombulak

  2. , Department Forestry and Natural Resource, Clemson University, Lehotsky Hall 261, Clemson, SC, 29634-0317, USA

    Robert F. Baldwin

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Nislow, K.H., Marks, C.O., Lutz, K.A. (2010). Aquatic Conservation Planning at a Landscape Scale. In: Trombulak, S., Baldwin, R. (eds) Landscape-scale Conservation Planning. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9575-6_6

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