Use of a municipal environmental quality index for understanding and management of aquatic habitats and fish populations

Abstract

This study describes the use of a technique developed to assess environmental quality in a municipality. The Environmental Quality Index (EQI) is a tool that can aid land‐use planning, permitting a maximum understanding of the implications for the ecology of an area. A matrix shows the status of each of a series of environmental parameters at each time that an EQI is formulated. Time series analysis is used to quantify environmental impacts on a discrete community's ecosystem: this process allows the graphing of the dynamics of a changing natural resource. Thus, correlation of abiotic changes can be made with changes in biota: for instance, a correlation between proximity to effluents from sewage treatment plants and fish and aquatic plant species diversity is useful information in the managcrnent of fishery resources. Similarly, knowledge of the rate of shift from lotic to lentic waters, due to increased impounding, and its relationship to aquatic plant species diversity is important for land‐use planners who are sensitive to environmental considerations. Decisions made with environmental preservation in mind will help to maintain high quality aquatic habitats.