The dataset is used to develop the objectives while providing an assessment of existing water 2 The Use of the Ecoregion Approach to Setting Water Quality Objectives in the Vancouver Island Region, B. C. Ministry of Environment ________________________________________________________________________ quality and baseline data for future trend analysis. [...] The province’s plants and animals are affected by that environment, as well as by historic factors such as the position of glaciers or other barriers to dispersal and 5 The Use of the Ecoregion Approach to Setting Water Quality Objectives in the Vancouver Island Region, B. C. Ministry of Environment ________________________________________________________________________ migration. [...] Figure 5: Northern Vancouver Island ecoregions and watersheds studied 8 The Use of the Ecoregion Approach to Setting Water Quality Objectives in the Vancouver Island Region, B. C. Ministry of Environment ________________________________________________________________________ Figure 6: Central Vancouver Island ecoregions and watersheds studied 9 The Use of the Ecoregion Approach to Setting Water Q [...] Average 5 16 The Use of the Ecoregion Approach to Setting Water Quality Objectives in the Vancouver Island Region, B. C. Ministry of Environment ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Discussion 5.1 Setting the Stage The use of an ecoregion approach in watersheds with minimal human impact seems to be a reasonable, efficient and cost-effective means to developin [...] The Region has been able to engage partners in specific routine monitoring 18 The Use of the Ecoregion Approach to Setting Water Quality Objectives in the Vancouver Island Region, B. C. Ministry of Environment ________________________________________________________________________ components within the water quality objectives development and attainment program, i.e., collection of discrete sampl