This is the second update to The State of the
Nation's Ecosystems , which was originally published
in 2002. Update 2005 expands upon the existing datasets reported in the 2002 SOTNE by providing current data for 12 indicators—the second update for 11 indicators, and the first update for 1 indicator. Three of the 10 Core National Indicators were updated, and an additional 9 updated indicators provided revised data representing five of the six principal ecosystems (no Forest ecosystem indicators were updated) from all four indicator topics—System Dimensions, Biological Components, Chemical and Physical Characteristics, and Human Uses. With two exceptions, the new data contained in Update 2005 demonstrate continuation of existing trends; no major deviations were reported. The first exception—Air Quality (Urban and Suburban Areas)—shows a large decrease in ozone exceedances for the last two years. The second exception—Movement of Nitrogen (a Core National Indicator)—presented revised data now showing an increasing trend in the amount of nitrate carried by the St. Lawrence River.
Update Overview (PDF, 2 pages) 
Summary of Changes (by
ecosystem type)
Summary of Changes
(by indicator topic)
The following indicators have been updated: |
