Healthy & Productive Ecosystems

The Ohio River Basin is one of the most biodiverse regions in the nation, however, extensive human activity has led to the loss or modification of wildlife habitat that negatively impacts key ecosystem functions and imperils native wildlife populations. The Healthy & Productive Ecosystems works to restore and protect wildlife habitat and preserve crucial biodiversity.

Ohio River Basin Restoration and Protection Plan

ORBA and the National Wildlife Federation have drafted an Ohio River Basin Restoration and Protection Plan to guide future legislation and federal investment towards ensuring safe drinking water, reducing toxic pollution, and restoring wildlife habitat in the 205,000 square mile Ohio River watershed. Supporting the development of the plan has been the main priority of the Abundant Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems workgroups, alongside a technical committee of over 100 professionals and sovereign nations, for the past several years. Community listening sessions held throughout the basin ensure that the public's input and priorities were integrated throughout the document.

Plan Coming Soon

Duck_River_reflections_-_20130915-143_HDR_4000x2200.jpg

Ecosystem Services Valuation

In 2024, Earth Economics, with funding from The Kresge Foundation, supported the Ohio River Basin Alliance (ORBA) with a high-level valuation of co-benefits created by natural ecosystems in the Ohio River Basin. This study used a model that Earth Economics had previously developed for the Land Trust Alliance, which estimates the value of eleven services across nine ecosystems. For this effort, Earth Economics estimated the value of the Ohio River Basin’s natural ecosystems to be at least $50 billion in annual benefits! To learn more, click the buttons below.

A special thanks to the team at Earth Economics, including Glen Delaney, Carson Risner, and Thomas Christensen, for their expertise and efforts in producing the report and thanks to The Kresge Foundation for funding the study. This report would not have been possible without their generous financial support.

Technical Summary

Fact Sheet

Background

The Ohio River Basin spans approximately 200,000 square miles, with 7,000 miles of waterfront along the Ohio River and its major tributaries, and is renowned for its diverse range of ecoregions and rich biodiversity. The basin includes portions of at least 16 distinct Level III ecoregions (see map below), making it one of the most ecologically diverse and productive regions in the United States. The Green, Tennessee, and Cumberland River sub-basins are especially notable, as they are some of the richest ecological areas in the world in terms of species diversity. However, human activity has caused significant habitat loss and degradation, threatening native wildlife populations. For example, of the 127 species of freshwater mussels once found in the Ohio River, 11 are now extinct, and 46 are classified as threatened or endangered. In addition, there are 625 other species within the Basin's 14 states that are federally listed as threatened or endangered. Invasive species, including Asian carp, zebra mussels, and curly leaf pondweed, have been documented in the basin and pose severe risks to ecological stability, biodiversity, and local economies. These species can outcompete native organisms, degrade water quality, and disrupt recreational, agricultural, and commercial activities.

Healthy & Productive Ecosystems Workgroup Highlighted Strategic Actions

Collaborate

Facilitate collaboration and resource coordination among the Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership, the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, The Nature Conservancy, the National Wildlife Federation, and other stakeholders to further cooperative development of strategic aquatic restoration and protection opportunities.

Restoration Economy

In collaboration with the states and interested water resource groups, pursue investment in a robust restoration economy that restores floodplains and connectivity, protects existing high quality habitat, restores and protects native aquatic populations, strategically leverages water resources to strengthen local economies, and positions the Ohio River Basin as an attractive site to draw and retain workforce

Advocate

Advocate for existing entities, i.e., Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force, to develop and implement a Basin-specific program designed to coordinate efforts to monitor, control, and study invasive species.

Workgroup Objectives

1) Alongside key partners and diverse stakeholders, develop a plan for Ohio River Basin restoration through the identification and protection of at-risk ecosystems and the threats to them such as acid mine drainage or emerging toxic contamination. Examples of at-risk ecosystems include wetlands and riparian zones, habitat for threatened or endangered species, and other areas of ecological significance;
2) secure funding to initiate a federal geographic program for the restoration of the Ohio River Basin that is appropriate to the need identified by the states, federal agencies including the U.S. EPA, ORSANCO, conservation organizations, and other stakeholders;
3) in collaboration with state and federal agencies and other stakeholders, develop and implement strategies to eradicate, control, and manage invasive species within the Ohio River Basin. Management and control strategies should be comprehensive in application and proactive in nature by utilizing sound scientific data designed to analyze and assess risk, develop and utilize effective control methods, limit dispersal, reduce the effects of invasive species, and focus conservation efforts on high-priority ecosystems within the Basin. Management and control efforts should also include the public sector via the development and implementation of education and outreach programs designed to increase the understanding of the potential ecological, economic, and social impacts of invasive species within the Basin.