Western Lake Erie Basin Cropland & Wildlife

Western Lake Erie Basin
Cropland & Wildlife

Funding made possible through USDA.

Start with buckshot, until we begin
seeing results in hitting our target,
then bring out the cannons of
conservation (systems) and nail it!
Target Conservation – HOW?

CEAP-Vision for the Future
• Vision: Enhanced natural resources and
ecosystems through:
• More effective conservation
• Better management of agricultural landscapes
• Goal: Improve efficacy of conservation
practices and programs by providing the
science and education base
• Conservation planning and implementation
• Management decisions
• Policy

How Much Is Enough?
Our canary:
Fish and aquatic
life living in
streams.

How Much Is Enough?

Stream
Flow
USGS
gage
data
Sparrow
NASS
Climate
Variability
Water
Quality
Data
Sediment
Nutrient
Loads
SWAT
Biological
Data

Assessments cannot include every variable, we have to be selective.

At what point are water quality, flow, and habitat no longer
limiting the riverine fish community?

Deciphering Integrated Data
IBI
• Which variables are limiting IBI?
• Where are target variables limiting?

Identify Thresholds and Relations

What Can We Learn?

How Can You Be Involved?
• Data for input, calibration and validation of SWAT and
biological models
• Select 3-5 sub-watersheds
• Select conservation practices and scenarios
• Sounding board for technical, logistical and social aspects of
project
• Identify partners and project outreach
• Integration of complementary science, assessment, planning,
and implementation efforts

Healthy Fish
Communities
Healthy River
Systems
Healthy Lake
& Strong
Economies