A Framework for an Ecosystem Integrity Report Card

Using environmental report cards to encourage constructive stakeholder relationships in natural resource management: developing a participatory report carding process

“…Since the 1990s, report cards that monitor environmental health have become increasingly widespread (Connolly et al, 2013;Harwell et al, 1999). In environmental report cards, overall ecosystem health may be determined by assessing the health of a number of indicators, including water quality, biodiversity, water supply, and vegetation coverage.…”

Clear Creek Watershed Flood Risk Management Habitat Assessments Using Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP): Analyses, Results and Documentation

“…Conceptual models are proving to be an innovative approach to organizing, communicating, and facilitating analysis of natural resources at the landscape scale (Harwell et al 1999, Turner et al 2001, Henderson and O'Neil 2004, Ogden et al 2005, Watzin et al 2005, AlvarezRogel et al 2006. By definition, a conceptual model is a representation of relationships between natural forces, factors, and human activities believed to impact, influence or lead to an interim or final ecological condition (Harwell et al 1999, Henderson andO'Neil 2004).…”

“…By definition, a conceptual model is a representation of relationships between natural forces, factors, and human activities believed to impact, influence or lead to an interim or final ecological condition (Harwell et al 1999, Henderson andO'Neil 2004). In most instances these models are presented as qualitative or descriptive narratives and illustrated by influence diagrams that depict the causal relationships between natural forces and human activities that produce changes in systems (Harwell et al 1999, Turner et al 2001, Ogden et al 2005, Alvarez-Rogel et al 2006. No doubt, conceptual models provide a forum in which individuals of multiple disciplines representing various agencies and outside interests can efficiently and effectively characterize the system and predict its response to potential alternatives in a descriptive manner.…”

Hydro-Geomorphic Classification and Potential Vegetation Mapping for Upper Mississippi River Bottomland Restoration

“…It has been recommended for the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS; Figure 1) by expert advisory panels (Lubinski and Barko, 2003;Barko et al, 2006) and in Federal policy (U.S. Water Resources Development Act 2007, Section 8001). Our conceptual model for the UMRS integrates process and function among five Essential Ecosystem Components (EECs; Harwell et al, 1999), with hydrology, geomorphology, and biogeochemistry strongly influencing habitat and biota (Lubinski and Barko, 2003;Jacobsen, in press). The primary ecological driver of large floodplain river landscapes is hydrology (Junk et al, 1989;Poff et al, 1997;Sparks et al, 1998;Whited et al, 2007;Klimas et al, 2009), with discharge and river stage being the most common indicators of system condition and variability.…”