A SPATIAL HIERARCHICAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE COMANAGEMENT OF ECOSYSTEMS IN CANADA AND THE UNITED-STATES FOR THE UPPER GREAT-LAKES REGION

Over the past three decades, considerable effort has been invested in the development of complex and comprehensive ecosystem classifications and inventories in many parts of North America. Paralleling this has been an evolution in those hierarchical frameworks guiding the develop ment and application of classifications. However, resource management agencies continue to grapple with the dilemma of applying multiple cla ssification and inventory templates over large jurisdictions, especial ly as they attempt to address ecosystem management objectives. Given t hat Canada and the United States share ecosystems and that commitments have been made by all levels of government to make progress towards e cosystem-based approaches to management, there is a need to provide th e proper tools. Comprehensive goals will not be achieved without colla boration and cooperation. This paper outlines the range of ecosystem c lassification approaches that exist in the Upper Great Lakes region. C anadian and American national hierarchical frameworks are briefly exam ined. Specific information needs and tasks are outlined which must be followed, independent of national boundaries, for the successful integ ration of planning and monitoring programs for large regional ecosyste ms. A general model is proposed for the development and application of an integrated, multi-scale and bi-national ecosystem classification, inventory and information system. This approach would facilitate data sharing and communication across jurisdictional boundaries.