Full ecoregional plan - Conservation Gateway

Results for Aquatic Systems *Classification ResultsGeographic Framework for Aquatic AssessmentsZoogeographic RegionsThe analysis area occurred within the North Atlantic World Wildlife Fund (WWF) NorthAmerican Fish Ecoregion. The North Atlantic WWF Fish Ecoregion stretches from easternDelaware to southern Nova Scotia and covers and area of 130,000 sq.miles. The northern portionis defined by the large watersheds of the St. Croix, Penobscot, Kennebec, Merrimack, andConnecticut, while the southern portion is dominated by the Delaware and Hudson. The NorthAtlantic region is distinguished by runs of anadromous fish such as Atlantic salmon, shad, andherring. Atlantic sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon also occur. Most of this ecoregion has beenglaciated as recently as 10,000-15,000 which has prevented the development of endemicfreshwater fauna except in the very southern extent of the region which was not glaciated (Abellet al. 2000).Ecological Drainage Units (EDUs)The analysis region covered 5 Ecological Drainage Units (EDUs) within the North AtlanticWWF Fish Ecoregion. The 5 EDUs covered an area of 28,190 sq.mi. and included the UpperConnecticut, Middle Connecticut, Lower Connecticut, Saco/Merrimack/Charles, and CapeCod Ecological Drainage Units. EDUs in New England were qualitatively delineated by theTNC Freshwater Initiative program in 1999 using USFS Fish Zoogeographic Subregions, USFSEcoregions and Subsections, and major drainage divisions (Bryer and Smith, 2001). The EDUswere defined by grouping 8-digit US Geological Survey Hydrologic Units watersheds into unitsthat were thought to contain aquatic systems with similar patterns of physiography, drainagedensity, hydrologic characteristics, connectivity, and zoogeography (Bryer and Smith 2001).* Olivero, A.P. 2003. Results for aquatic systems. Lower New England – Northern PiedmontEcoregional Conservation Plan; First Iteration.The Nature Conservancy, Conservation ScienceSupport, Northeast & Caribbean Division, Boston, MA.REVISED 6/2003AQUA-RESULTS-1