The ability of the aquatic ecosystem to support and maintain key ecological processes and a community of organisms with a species composition, diversity and functional organisation as comparable as possible to that of natural habitats within a region ( Schofield & Davies 1996).
the condition of an ecosystem where, a) the structure and function are unimpaired by human-caused stresses; and b) the ecosystem biological diversity and supporting processes are likely to persist. (from Parks Canada, State of the Parks 1997 Report).
The condition of an unimpaired ecosystem as measured by combined chemical, physical (including physical habitat), and biological attributes.
a property of ecosystems that are healthy and that have not been subject to stress, such as pollution, the removal of vegetation, etc.
A condition where the structure and function of an ecosystem are unimpaired by stresses induced by human activity and are likely to persist.
the condition of the biotic (aquatic community) and abiotic (water chemistry and habitat) components of unimpaired waterbodies as measured by assemblage (an association of interacting populations of organisms in a given waterbody, e.g., fish assemblage) structure and function, water chemistry, and habitat measures of a site.
the quality of a natural unmanaged or managed ecosystem in which the natural ecological processes are sustained, with genetic, species and ecosystem diversity assured for the future.
The degree to which all ecosystem components and their interactions are represented and functioning.
minimal loss of natural biodiversity on natural, unmanaged, or managed ecosystems, which is maintained into the future.
a concept that expresses the degree to which the physical, chemical, and biological components (including composition, structure, and process) of an ecosystem and their relationships are present, functioning, and capable of self-renewal. Ecological integrity implies the presence of appropriate species, populations and communities and the occurrence of ecological processes at appropriate rates and scales as well as the environmental conditions that support these taxa and processes.
