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Habitats and species are not currently explicitly addressed in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. During the GLWQA review, the Special Issues Working Group (SIWG) addressed biodiversity threats and responses, with specific reference to habitats and species. The SIWG recommended that a revised Agreement address the need for protection, conservation, and recovery of biodiversity as a factor in maintaining or improving water quality. Because biodiversity is recognized as a key driver of ecosystem processes related to maintenance and restoration of water quality, the SIWG also recommended that the status and trends of biodiversity be established as a key measure of water quality. Loss of species and populations and degradation of habitats, introduction of invasive alien species, climate change and introduction of toxic substances were identified as key stressors on the biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.
1. Scope
Recent advances in understanding of the value of ecosystem services have shown that areas with high natural biodiversity are more resilient to emerging drivers of change, with greater capacity to safeguard water quality and maintain life-supporting ecosystems services. In addition, the loss of habitat and species impedes the restoration and maintenance of water quality in the Great Lakes system. For example, wetlands provide key ecosystem services by intercepting and filtering excess sediments, nutrients, pesticides and pathogens; absorbing and detoxifying human and industrial wastes; regulating water temperatures; reducing erosion; and controlling floodwaters. Wetlands therefore make an important contribution to the restoration and maintenance of the quality of the water of Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.
Given that the GLWQA currently does not address biodiversity, habitats and species, or ecosystem services specifically, the following are some considerations as to how this issue might be addressed in a revised agreement.
* Do not address this issue through the GLWQA. Rely on jurisdictions around the Great Lakes to address species, habitats and other biodiversity issues individually or through coordination mechanisms other than the GLWQA.
* Add a new commitment to the GLWQA to maintain and restore habitats, species and ecosystem services supporting the chemical, physical, biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes.
2. Actions
If the maintenance and restoration of biological integrity of aquatic systems of the Great Lakes were to be addressed in an amended GLWQA, the following are examples of commitments that might be included:
* A commitment by the Parties to a broad principle such as “no net loss” of habitat or habitat function.
* A commitment by the Parties to develop science-based targets for the restoration and conservation of aquatic and wetland habitat measured in acres / hectares for each lake basin.
* A commitment by the Parties to develop common priorities, targets, and coordinated strategies and action plans for the restoration and conservation of aquatic and wetland habitat.
3. Monitoring and Reporting
If addressed in an amended GLQWA, the following are some considerations for a commitment for binational assessment and monitoring:
* All species, habitats and ecosystem services that contribute to, or are key indicators of water quality, should be monitored and reported upon.
* Monitoring, assessment and reporting needs for only those species, habitats and ecosystem services that are relevant to address lake-specific impairments.