Research Activities
Research Projects
| Titles | Funding Source | Collaborators & Affiliations* |
|---|---|---|
|
Integrating Salmon Habitat Restoration and Flood Hazard Initiatives: Societal/Biophysical Estimators for the Cedar River and Implications for Regional Rivers Abstract |
US Environmental Protection Agency |
Thomas Leschine, David Fluharty (co-PIs, UW Marine Affairs), Julie Hall, Ray Timm (graduate students), Doug Pflugh (UW Urban Design & Planning); Jeff Richey, Miles Logsdon (UW Oceanography) |
|
Strategies for Restoring River Ecosystems: Sources of Variability and Uncertainty in Natural and Managed Systems (Book) Abstract |
American Fisheries Society |
Peter Bisson (USDA Forest Service) |
|
Riparian and Stream Ecosystems: Habitat Connectivity; Roughness and Flow Characteristics |
USDA Forest Service |
Peter Bisson (USDA Forest Service) |
|
Monitoring Salmon Habitats and Juvenile Fish: Implication for Land Management Plans |
USDA Forest Service |
Mason Bryant (USDA Forest Service) |
|
Fish Habitat and Watershed Management, Beckler River, Washington |
USDA Forest Service |
Scott Craig (US Fish & Wildlife Service) |
|
Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Outmigrating Juvenile Salmon in the Snohomish River Estuary |
Washington Sea Grant Program |
Dave Beauchamp (co-PI, UW) |
|
Fish Habitat and Ecosystem Protection: Watershed Physiographic and Forest Management Considerations |
USDA Forest Service |
|
|
Salmon River, Oregon (C. Simenstad) |
Washington Sea Grant |
Charles Simenstad (PI) and Ayesha Gray (graduate student) |
|
Ecology of Juvenile Salmon in Lake Washington (C. Simenstad) |
Washington Dep. Fish & Wildlife |
Charles Simenstad (PI) and Michelle Koehler (graduate student) |
|
Dynamics of Large Wood in Estuaries |
Washington Sea Grant Program, US Army Corps of Engineers |
Charles Simenstad (PI), Alicia Wick (graduate student) |
*School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences unless otherwise noted.
Research Abstracts
Integrating Salmon Habitat Restoration and Flood Hazard Initiatives: Societal/Biophysical Estimators for the Cedar River and Implications for Regional Rivers
Collaborators: T.M. Leschine, D.L. Fluharty (UW Marine Affairs)
Support: US Environmental Protection Agency
This proposed biophysical (physical and ecological) and human systems research will evaluate how river channel—floodplain ecosystems, fish habitats, spawning salmon, and human systems respond to the implementation of the Cedar River Basin and Nonpoint Pollution Action Plan, King County, Washington. The research will assess the Plan's priority habitat restoration—flood reduction initiatives, which are coupled plans that intend to restore fish habitats while reducing flood hazards in the lower Cedar River channel and floodplains. We propose to develop integrated approaches that improve the understanding and management of interactions between humans and river—floodplain ecosystems. Integrated objectives of the proposed research are as follows: (a) develop an understanding–retrospective and contemporary–of societal, institutional and policy forces that have shaped current environmental conditions in the lower Cedar River basin; (b) develop the ability to assess and anticipate biophysical and human systems responses; and (c) formulate and examine the acceptability of policies aimed at restoring and rehabilitating damaged river and floodplain ecosystems. Biophysical and human systems approaches are jointly designed so that each major project element of each study has a corresponding element in the other. Taken together, corresponding study elements act to "close the feedback loop" that connects policy and management interventions to the stressors and to human and environmental conditions that they are intended to address. The central question is how both biophysical and human systems are likely to respond in the face of policy changes (the Plan's) that promote habitat restoration and flood hazard reduction. The human systems research includes a broad-scale assessment designed to produce estimators of stakeholder perceptions and preferences (e.g., descriptive statements of stakeholder preferences for restoration—flood reduction approaches). The biophysical systems research involves studies of river reaches targeted for the Plan's priority initiatives to identify and evaluate estimators (biophysical responses, fish use of habitats and expert judgments of outcomes) of restoration—flood reduction opportunities. Biophysical and human studies are described in the following table:
| Biophysical System | Human System |
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Identify and evaluate opportunities for habitat restoration—flood reduction by assessing actual and predicted responses of biophysical systems to the King County Action Plan's implemented and planned initiatives |
Identification of attitudes regarding desirability, efficacy, preferred and perceived paths to effective restoration—flood initiatives (e.g., costs, risks and benefits) |
|
Development of expert judgments (probabilities estimates) that restoration—flood reduction initiatives produce particular consequences |
Development of comparisons of expert judgments of restoration—flood reduction risks with broader public and official views; explication of "risk factors"; policy process and design recommendations |
Strategies for Restoring River Ecosystems: Sources of Variability and Uncertainty in Natural and Managed Systems (Book)
Collaborators: P.A. Bisson (editor; USDA Forest Service)
Support: American Fisheries Society
The purpose of this book is to integrate perspectives on variability of physical and biological functions, and concepts of uncertainty in natural and managed systems, into strategies for renewing and conserving river ecosystems. The book is presented in two Parts. Part I addresses sources of variability (Chapters 2 through 6) and Part II sources of uncertainty (Chapters 7 through 10). Chapter 11 is the summary chapter. The chapters provide concepts, simple paradigms and recommendations for the most efficient procedures for assessing sources of variability and uncertainty and uses in developing restoration strategies. The variability and uncertainty components of primary concern should represent those that have the maximum chance of playing important roles in the renewal and protection of river ecosystems. The premise is that the integration of perspectives on variability and uncertainty of river ecosystem processes is critical to the success of manager’s implementation of restoration programs and to the survival and persistence of aquatic and riparian communities.
Part I views the variability of river ecosystems as processes reflecting interactions across multiple scales with different spatial and temporal characteristics. Chapters 2 and 3 discuss the natural variability of river ecosystems in terms of physiographic structures, processes and scales (space and time). Chapter 2 assesses sources of climate variability in river drainages while Chapter 3 extends analyses to variability of geomorphic and hydrological processes. The ecological variability of river landscapes and their riparian and aquatic communities (Chapters 4, 5 and 6) are examined in terms of ecosystem perspectives of connectivity of river systems, disturbance regimes, and different hierarchical levels of organization.
Part II addresses different sources of uncertainties and options for addressing these problems in river restoration strategies. Chapter 7 discusses genetic vulnerabilities and risks in making restoration decisions and evaluating ecological responses. Chapter 8 assesses uncertainties involved in managing restoration programs for watersheds and habitats. Chapters 9 and 10 address restoration strategies and related uncertainties facing management decisions, arising from policy changes, societal concerns and natural resource issues.