Ecological Characterization and Landscape Assessment of the Humboldt River Basin.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to use landscape assessment methods on this little studied, remote ecosystem in Nevada. These methods can be applied to other similar ecosystems. The Humboldt River Basin covers a large part of northern Nevada. Very little is known about the water quality of the entire Basin. The people living in this area depend on clean water. Not knowing about water quality is a concern because people will need to manage the negative impacts of mining, agriculture, livestock grazing, land development, water use, and timber harvest. This area has had some of the most intense mining in Nevada history. It is also experiencing accelerated groundwater depletion and acid mine drainage from older abandoned mines. These activities may adversely effect water quality for human use and for the unique aquatic biota found there, including four threatened or endangered fishes and one amphibian candidate for listing as endangered or threatened. Landscape characterization and analysis are cost-effective tools which can be used to characterize the quality and condition of ecological resources. This information can be used by local resource managers and local stakeholders to make decisions that will help sustain the economic growth, ecological health and social benefits. This study will provide a data set and demonstration of analyses that can serve as a basis for a landscape ecological assessment.