Highlighted scientific findings of the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project.

Abstract

Decisions regarding 72 million acres of Forest Service- and Bureau of Land Management- administered lands will be based on scientific findings brought forth in the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project. Some highlights of the scientific findings are presented here. Project scientists drew three general conclusions: (1) Conditions and trends differ widely across the landscape; as a result, one-size-fits-all strategies will neither effectively restore nor maintain ecosystems. (2) Ecosystem elements are linked to one another; effective ecosystem management requires an understanding of these linkages. (3) The scientific assessment highlighted a wide variety of risks important to ecological and socioeconomic systems. It also brought forth numerous opportunities to restore ecological systems and provide goods and services. To realize the opportunities, managers must recognize and manage the risks. Three management options were analyzed: current direction, active restoration, and reserve system establishment. Analysis revealed that active restoration was effective in addressing basinwide risks and opportunities.

Citation

Quigley, Thomas M.; Bigler Cole, Heidi. 1997. Highlighted scientific findings of the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-404. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station; U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 34 p