Aquatic Ecology

What kind of work do we do in Aquatic Ecosystems?

The Aquatic Ecology Program integrates many facets of nature, humans and the environment. Aquatic ecosystems include all things linked to water. We work with all aspects of aquatic ecosystem habitats, including streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands. We also work with aquatic ecosystem organisms such as aquatic bugs, frogs, toads, and fish.

The Aquatic Ecology program identifies emerging aquatic resource issues, gathers information and develops guidance and strategies to help address these issues, and transfer this technology to our field biologists.

"When we try to pick out anything by itself in nature we find it hitched to everything else in the universe." John Muir

The Northern Region includes many diverse aquatic ecosystems because of the diversity of the landscape. The Continental Divide runs through the region splitting the landscape into streams and rivers that flow westward into the Pacific Ocean via the Columbia River system and streams that flow southeastward into the Atlantic Ocean via the Missouri River system. The eastern portion of the region includes the National Grasslands of the Dakota Prairie.

The aquatic resources in the Northern Region are nationally recognized for their ecological values (native species, species diversity, unique habitats) as well as their recreational values (boating and fishing). Wilderness encompasses more than 5 million acres in the Northern Region and portions of nine rivers are included in the National Wild and Scenic River System.

The Northern Region is rich in human history and human activities including the early explorations of Lewis and Clark, mineral and gem mining, livestock grazing, timber harvest, settlement and urbanization.

Despite high levels of human activities and resulting impacts on the landscape, the Northern Region remains fairly undeveloped and retains a feeling of wildness and remoteness.

Please choose from among the related subjects above to learn more about the aquatic ecology program.