The dataset has been used for the Great Lakes Conservation Blueprint Project for Aquatic Biodiversity. It can be used for: * research and aquatic species inventories * environmental impact and monitoring * watershed based resource planning and management * fisheries and other aquatic analysis Official GEO title: Aquatic Ecosystems Classification: Great Lakes Basin - Coast, Streams, Lakes and Wetlands

This historic dataset delineates valley segments based on a number of different natural features. The data applies to valley segments on the Ontario side of the Great Lakes. Aquatic Landscape Inventory System (ALIS) has also been incorporated into the [Aquatic Ecosystem Classification: Great Lakes Basin and Wetlands Data Class](/dataset/aquatic-ecosystems-in-the-great-lakes-basin) and the Great Lakes Conservation Blueprint for Aquatic Biodiversity datasets. We are no longer updating this data. It is best suited for historical research and analysis.

The Aquatic Invasive Species Surveillance Database is a compilation of fish community and habitat data from DFO’s Aquatic Invasive Species and Invasive Carp Program early detection surveillance efforts in Canadian waters of the Great Lakes basin. Data includes: sampling site location, date, fish species and counts, and associated habitat information. Annual project-specific details including purpose/objectives and study methodology are often reported in the DFO Canadian manuscript report of fisheries and aquatic sciences series.

A compendium of reports that provide information about aquatic and terrestrial animals and plants, soils, surface water, groundwater and their accompanying data files and maps

Updated on May 17, 2022, the CRHQ is a cartographic tool that brings together ecological information and knowledge on aquatic ecosystems in Quebec to support decision-making. It provides a hierarchical framework for mapping and characterizing aquatic ecosystems based on the processes that govern their functioning. First of all, it provides aquatic ecological units (AEUs), which correspond to portions of the surface hydrographic network that present a certain homogeneity in their physical characteristics that condition aquatic biotopes. The CRHQ also includes information on the hydro-geomorphology, hydraulics, physico-chemistry and hydrology of aquatic ecosystems that are associated with reference points distributed on the hydrographic network. To access the files, which are hosted on an FTP site, it is recommended to use either FileZilla (https://filezilla-project.org/) or Internet Explorer.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

The Riparian Quality Index (IQBR) is used to assess the ecological condition of the shoreline environment. It is built from nine components that have been weighted according to their potential to perform ecological functions in terms of the protection of aquatic ecosystems.Data on shoreline quality come from benthos monitoring stations sampled between 2003 and 2023.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

The Great Lakes Fish Biodiversity Science Database is a compilation of fish community and habitat data from DFO Science surveys, primarily related to freshwater fishes of conservation concern in the Great Lakes basin. Data include: sampling site location, date, fish species and counts, and associated habitat information. Project-specific details including purpose/objectives and study methodology are often reported in the DFO Canadian data report of fisheries and aquatic sciences series.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) conducts research and undertakes monitoring surveys of the marine and freshwater environment in support of sustainable fisheries, healthy aquatic ecosystems and living resources, and safe and effective marine services. In an effort to effectively inform and ensure Canadians feel engaged in the delivery of its science mandate, DFO produces Fieldnotes, an annual compendium of planned science field operations in the North Pacific and Arctic oceans, as well as in the coastal and interior waters of British Columbia and Yukon.

PURPOSE:Chlorophyll a is a photosynthetic pigment common to aquatic algae, and its measurement can provide an estimate of free-floating algae abundance in an aquatic system. For more than 40 years, the Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (DFO-GLLFAS) office in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario has collected water samples for chlorophyll a spectrophotometric analysis, producing data in the form of mg/m3. The collection of chlorophyll a data was generally conducted to assist in characterizing the aquatic systems level of primary productivity, since that can influence fish abundance. This was a supplementary measure of the quality of fish habitat in these systems for a variety of fish-related projects of relevance to DFO’s mandate. Consistency of data collection was dependent on the duration of each project and funding available. DESCRIPTION:The initial study collected chlorophyll a data from the five lakes in the Turkey Lakes Watershed (TLW – Upper and Lower Batchawana Lakes, Wishart Lake, Little Turkey Lake and Turkey Lake) as well as Quinn Lake which is located outside of the TLW (see Smokorowski et al. 2006) in partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN), as part of Canada’s Acid Rain Initiative. The TLW study was established in 1979 to evaluate the impacts of acid rain on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This dataset encompasses chlorophyll a data collected from five lakes in the TLW and Quinn Lake (data also collected by the Canadian Wildlife Service and Environment and Climate Change Canada) from 1983 - 2010 with some gaps of varying duration (Webster et al., 2021). Note that an experimental habitat removal took place in some TLW lakes and Quinn Lake in 1999 and 2000. Specifically, in autumn of 1999, 50% of the coarse woody material was removed from the shorelines of Little Turkey Lake and Quinn Lake, and in autumn of 2000, 50% of the course woody material was removed from Wishart Lake shoreline (details available in Smokorowski et al., 2006). Methods Summary: Sampling was only conducted during the open water season and the frequency and extent of sampling frequency in each waterbody varied and was project- and funding-dependent. There are no chlorophyll a data for the years 1986, 1989 – 1990, 1996 – 1997, 2006-2007 and 2009.Sampling was accomplished by rinsing on site an appropriately-cleaned 1 L, brown-opaque polyethylene bottles at least three times. For hand draw samples, the bottle was immersed sub-surface (less than 0.5 meters) to collect the sample. Composite tube samples were collected using an integrated water sampling tube that collected epilimnion water from the entire water column to a depth of 5 meters. Up to five - 1 L (1000 mL) samples were collected per station and returned to the lab on ice. Each 1 L sample was filtered using glass fiber filters (Whatman GF/C, 42.5 mm) within one day of sampling, and then frozen prior to standard chlorophyll a analysis (American Public Health Association [APHA] 1985). From 1983-1998, Chlorophyll a concentrations (mg/L) was calculated based on APHA 1985; from 1998 to present the calculation was based on APHA (1998). The sample dataset information includes the georeferenced sampling locations, the raw data for chlorophyll a calculations, and the calculated chlorophyll a concentrations using both the APHA (1985) and APHA (1998) methods. This dataset was published in partnership with the Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution - Living Data Project, which was funded by a CREATE grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada. We would like to recognize Caroline Dallstream for her effort in publishing this dataset. SAMPLING METHODS:Methods Summary: Sampling was only conducted during the open water season and the frequency and extent of sampling frequency in each waterbody varied and was project- and funding-dependent. There are no chlorophyll a data for the years 1986, 1989 – 1990, 1996 – 1997, 2006-2007 and 2009. See Sampling was accomplished by rinsing on site an appropriately-cleaned 1 L, brown-opaque polyethylene bottles at least three times. For hand draw samples, the bottle was immersed sub-surface (less than 0.5 meters) to collect the sample. Composite tube samples were collected using an integrated water sampling tube that collected epilimnion water from the entire water column to a depth of 5 meters. Up to five - 1 L (1000 mL) samples were collected per station and returned to the lab on ice. Each 1 L sample was filtered using glass fiber filters (Whatman GF/C, 42.5 mm) within one day of sampling, and then frozen prior to standard chlorophyll a analysis (American Public Health Association [APHA] 1985). From 1983-1998, Chlorophyll a concentrations (mg/L) was calculated based on APHA 1985; from 1998 to present the calculation was based on APHA (1998). The sample dataset information includes the georeferenced sampling locations, the raw data for chlorophyll a calculations, and the calculated chlorophyll a concentrations using both the APHA (1985) and APHA (1998) methods.USE LIMITATION:To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

PURPOSE:Provide early detection of newly arrived Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and determine the spread, establishment and spatial distribution of existing AIS within marine waters of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL), DFO Gulf Region boundaries (northern and eastern coastal shores of NB, Gulf shore of NS, and PEI shoreline).DESCRIPTION:DFO Science monitors for AIS in the Gulf Region. The data collected from DFO's biofouling monitoring program provides an overview of the distribution and abundance of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in the Gulf Region. This information can be used by the general public, scientists and DFO managers.Monitoring program targeting aquatic invasive species (AIS). Native biofouling species are not included in this dataset. Botrylloides violaceus: Violet tunicateBotryllus schlosseri: Golden star tunicateCiona intestinalis: Vase tunicateStyela clava: Clubbed tunicateCaprella mutica*: Japanese skeleton shrimpMembranipora membranacea: Coffin box bryozoanCarcinus maenas*: European green crabCodium fragile*: Oyster thief algaJuxtacribrilina mutabilis**: Ribbed bryozoan (JCM)*indicates species that are not included as percent cover as they are not accurately captured by the sampling method, but are included as detections.**indicates species was only integrated fully into the monitoring protocol starting in 2025.Included here is a dataset of detection and percent cover data of AIS, as well as a monitoring station dataset. Environmental data collected, including from temperature loggers, are stored but not included here. PARAMETERS COLLECTED:Air and water temperature, salinity, depth, dissolved oxygen, weather conditions, list of biofouling AIS, percent cover of AIS on PVC plates, and incidental detection of other species and AIS in surrounding area. Only species data is pushed to the Open Data platform.NOTES ON QUALITY CONTROL:Each sample and species is processed and identified in a standardized fashion using standardized DFO Science AIS protocols and taxonomic references. Data is manually entered into DFO Gulf Region's AIS Science biofouling database and randomly verified for accuracy.SAMPLING METHODS:Biofouling monitoring is conducted using PVC collector plates that are deployed in the water column approximately 1 meter below the sea surface in the spring of each year. Biofouling organisms settle on these plates which are collected in the fall of the same year. Abundances of AIS are given as percent plate cover. Physico-chemical data including temperature, conductivity, and depth as well as weather conditions are noted at each geo-referenced biofouling monitoring site during initial deployment and at time of retrieval. All biofouling organisms settled on the underside of the PVC plates are noted and percent cover of each AIS is estimated. Any AIS present at the location is also noted. A HOBO temperature and light logger was deployed.USE LIMITATION:To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.