ABSTRACT
16An aquatic habitat classification (AHC) system is described that defines, organizes, and presents variables used to describe the abiotic and biotic characteristics of a body of water. The framework of the classification is based largely on the physical characteristics of habitat, but can be modified to incorporate biological and chemical characteristics.
The AHC system is hierarchical and provides differentiation at various levels between a whole lake and its component parts (e.g., bay, cove, or weed bed). Certain types of data are essential for fisheries interests, but a wide range of additional information, such as water quality data, can be incorporated. The system shares some conceptual similarities with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wetland classification and may be interfaced directly with it. However, because the two systems are dominated by different structural elements of habitat, their frameworks are different. The AHC system does not name any of the possible associations of habitat variables but leaves this choice open to the user.
Selected features of aquatic habitat can be plotted on base maps or charts, but the maps must have a common scale and can be difficult to interpret if too much information is displayed. A geographic information system (GIS) allows habitat data to be processed statistically, grouped without constraint, and displayed at any scale. Therefore, computerized GIS is needed to make full use of the AHC system.
