Summary In marine and estuarine ecosystems, many invertebrates play key roles as herbivores, detritivores, and predators and are often termed "strong ecological interactors". Abundance of individual species can provide information about the ability of the ecosystem to capture and cycle nutrients and primary production to other trophic levels. Focal species for rocky systems: purple sea urchin, red sea urchin, red abalone, black abalone, giant/owl limpet, and various sea stars. Focal species for soft-bottom systems: Dungeness crab, sand crabs, razor clams, and sea stars. General Information Sustainability Goal Goal 5. Protect and enhance environmental conditions by improving watershed, floodplain, and aquatic condition and processes. Domain Ecosystem Health = The condition of natural system, including terrestrial systems interacting with aquatic systems through runoff pathways.
