CONSIDERATIONS OF SCALE IN HABITAT CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION

Space and time function together to shape communities and ecosystems. As a result, the definition of scale of observation is critical to the design of successful habitat conservation and restoration strategies. Traditionally, aquatic habitat studies were focused on small spatial and temporal scales such as a stream site or reach. Present challenges for managers of large systems such as the Great Lakes include dealing with a variety of stresses acting together at different spatial and t emporal scales and understanding how fragmented patches of habitat int eract to create ecological change at a larger scale. The design of eff ective habitat management strategies will require increased attention to the scale-related problems presented by large systems. These proble ms include the appropriate scale of observation relative to habitat ma nagement objectives, the linkages among habitat structures and process es, the need for comprehensive baseline studies, and monitoring at mul tiple scales. New methods for dealing with these problems, particularl y on lake systems, are required. Long-term financial commitment within agencies, and collaboration among agencies that share management resp onsibilities for habitat will assist in addressing these scale-related issues.