SUMMARY OF BIOTA/NATURAL COMMUNITIES BREAKOUT SESSION Dave
Capen, University of Vermont, Chair Participants in the
Biota/Natural communities breakout session identified 22 issues
of concern, and then consolidated them into four categories:
impacts on habitat of other species; interspecies interactions;
cormorant population issues; and health and safety issues.
Discussion of key elements for all categories combined are
summarized below, along with five recommended strategies.
IMPACTS ON HABITAT OF OTHER SPECIES - Habitat destruction:
degradation, ecosystem collapse - Aesthetic impact of habitat
destruction - Protection of sites INTERSPECIES (SPECIES/SPECIES)
INTERACTIONS - Rare plants - Other animal species - Nongame and
game fish - Positive contribution to biodiversity CORMORANT
POPULATION ISSUES - Consistent methods for survey - Response
thresholds - Geographic issues: because species is migratory -
Population objectives need to be regional and local HEALTH AND
SAFETY ISSUES - Potential human health issues -