Book Description

"The Humboldt Bay and Eel River Estuary Benthic Habitat Project (referred to hereafter as Habitat Project) began in 2007, concurrent with the Humboldt Bay Initiative, an ecosystem-based management (EBM) program. The Habitat Project was intended to support and strengthen implementation of the EBM program. The Habitat Project provides an important synthesis of existing habitat information and new habitat distribution data for the EBM information framework. The Habitat Project deliverables are: [1] The Habitat Project Report [2] Multi-spectral (color and infrared) aerial imagery of Humboldt Bay and the Eel River Estuary [3] Complete benthic habitat mapping of Humboldt Bay and the Eel River Estuary using the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS). The Habitat Project Report includes a description of subtidal and intertidal habitats within the study area, a synopsis of available scientific literature, and management recommendations garnered from the cumulative work of local scientists and community members, numerous meetings, and the work of the Habitat Project Advisory Committee. Project Goals And Objectives The Habitat Project has two main goals, each with specific objectives: Goal 1: Identify and describe benthic intertidal and subtidal habitats, their function, values and distribution in the study area. Objective 1: Produce spatially based benthic habitat maps from new data sources. Objective 2: Describe habitats using existing information. Goal 2: Develop recommendations for management, protection and restoration based on the best available scientific information. Objective 1: Identify habitat threats. Objective 2: Identify management considerations for subtidal and intertidal habitats."--Introduction.