Phosphorus levels in the offshore waters of the Great Lakes: data sources and methods, chapter 1

Introduction

The Phosphorus Levels in the Great Lakes indicator is part of the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program, which provides data and information to track Canada's performance on key environmental sustainability issues. This indicator is also used to report and measure progress towards the goals of the 2016-2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient. When phosphorus levels are too high or too low, they can have harmful impacts on a lake's food web. It is one feature of the health of the offshore waters of the Great Lakes. Conditions may be very different in nearshore areas.