Summary As in many ecosystems, in soft-bottom habitats, predators may play an important role in structuring animal communities. The density and size structure of focal predator species can indicate health of other trophic levels. The benthic invertebrates referred to here are those with a strong association with the substrate and may be subject to fishing pressure. Focal species: Dungeness crab and sea star 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.
