Status & Trends
Ecosystem Targets
and Supporting Indicators
The following Ecosystem Indicators use data to measure the health of Long Island Sound. Ecosystem Targets are indicators that include performance targets to help inform and drive progress toward meeting management goals.
Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds
Ecosystems Targets drive progress toward attaining the Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds (WW) goal of improving water quality by reducing contaminant and nutrient loads from the land and the waters impacting Long Island Sound.
Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife
Ecosystem Targets drive progress toward attaining the Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife (HW) goal of restoring and protecting the Sound’s ecological balance in a healthy, productive, and resilient state to benefit both people and the natural environment.
Sustainable and Resilient Communities
Ecosystem Targets drive progress toward attaining the Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SC) goal of supporting vibrant, informed, and engaged communities that use, appreciate, and help protect Long Island Sound.
Climate Change Indicators
Climate change indicators appear in different topic areas, and include physical, biological, chemical, and socioeconomic measures. The breadth of measures is because conditions affected by climate change such as sea level rise, temperature change, and increased ocean acidification can impact animals and plants and their habitats as well as humans throughout the region. These indicators help resource managers assess climate change’s current impacts on the the Sound, and project future trends.