* Metric Name: Aquatic Species Richness  

* Tier: 1  

* Data Vintage: 2018  

* Unit Of Measure: Count

Aquatic native species richness is a measure of species biodiversity, and is
one measurement used to describe the distribution of overall species
biodiversity in California for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
(CDFW) Areas of Conservation Emphasis Project (ACE). Native species richness
represents a count of the total number of native aquatic species potentially
present in each watershed based on species range and distribution information.
The data can be used to view patterns of species diversity, and to identify
areas of highest native richness across the state. The species count consists
of four taxonomic groups – fish, aquatic invertebrates, aquatic amphibians,
and aquatic reptiles.

* Creation Method: For more information, see the Aquatic Native Species Richness Factsheet (2018) at <https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=150852>

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Areas of Conservation
Emphasis (ACE) is a compilation and analysis of the best-available statewide
spatial information in California on biodiversity, rarity and endemism,
harvested species, significant habitats, connectivity and wildlife movement,
climate vulnerability, climate refugia, and other relevant data (e.g., other
conservation priorities such as those identified in the State Wildlife Action
Plan (SWAP), stressors, land ownership). ACE addresses both terrestrial and
aquatic data.

  

* Credits: Aquatic Native Species Richness Summary, Areas of Conservation Emphasis (ACE), version 3.0, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) ACE database \--California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)