Measuring Ecological Health - Slide 29

Proposed Indicator Strategy

Focus on water for now – Clear mandate and do-able
Work through EPA-Agriculture Committee to help USDA develop new condition indicators for agricultural lands
Encourage Forest Service to continue the integration of their work with ours
Develop broad ecosystem health and function indicators which are easily understood and highly visible
- Bird community – Very sensitive to chemicals and habitat change. Possible to use volunteers. A national susceptibility indicator.
- Pollinators – Very sensitive to pesticides. Critical for food crop production. A national sustainability indicator.