Riparian Areas
Riparian Areas

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2002-10-10

Total Pages: 449

ISBN-13: 0309082951

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The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that wetlands be protected from degradation because of their important ecological functions including maintenance of high water quality and provision of fish and wildlife habitat. However, this protection generally does not encompass riparian areasâ€"the lands bordering rivers and lakesâ€"even though they often provide the same functions as wetlands. Growing recognition of the similarities in wetland and riparian area functioning and the differences in their legal protection led the NRC in 1999 to undertake a study of riparian areas, which has culminated in Riparian Areas: Functioning and Strategies for Management. The report is intended to heighten awareness of riparian areas commensurate with their ecological and societal values. The primary conclusion is that, because riparian areas perform a disproportionate number of biological and physical functions on a unit area basis, restoration of riparian functions along America's waterbodies should be a national goal.

Physical Processes in the Coastal Zone
Physical Processes in the Coastal Zone

Author: Arthur P. Cracknell

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 1989-01-01

Total Pages: 440

ISBN-13: 9780750305631

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As people come to realize the importance of the environmental impact of human activities, the study of the coastal zone has become increasingly important. In addition, new environmental legislation at regional, national, and international levels will doubtless highlight the importance of a fuller understanding of the coastal areas. Together, these factors have led to substantial new requirements for the acquisition and monitoring of relevant environmental information and for a fuller understanding of the processes at work-work for which the use of remote sensing techniques is essential. To meet the requirements of this emerging discipline, Physical Processes in the Coastal Zone: Computer Modelling and Remote Sensing integrates basic physical processes with extensive information from remote sensing systems such as those on aircraft and spacecraft. It covers the physical processes that occur in the coastal zone, an area in which 60% of the world's population live. Written by international experts, the text provides a comprehensive, graduate-level introduction and overview that is suitable both for those entering the field and for those already working within it.

Coastal Watershed Assessment Procedure Guidebook (CWAP)
Coastal Watershed Assessment Procedure Guidebook (CWAP)

Author: British Columbia. Ministry of Forests

Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13:

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A watershed assessment is required before any forest development plan is prepared for a community watershed in British Columbia. This guidebook is intended to provide direction to all professionals required to conduct watershed assessments, based on an assessment of the potential for cumulative hydrological effects from past and proposed forest harvesting and road building. It first describes the components of a watershed assessment, including formation of an advisory committee, compilation of existing information, field assessments, a hydrologist's report, and making forest development plan recommendations. Finally, administrative issues are discussed. Appendices include guidance on identification of watershed units, estimation of peak flow factors, sediment source surveys, and stream channel stability classification.

Selection and Use of Indicators to Measure the Habitat Status of Wild Pacific Salmon
Selection and Use of Indicators to Measure the Habitat Status of Wild Pacific Salmon

Author: Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13:

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A key component of the Wild Pacific Salmon Policy is the conservation & stewardship of habitat for wild Pacific salmon. To focus & support habitat conservation & stewardship efforts, a suite of indicators at a range of scales is needed. This report represents a consolidation of a background information review & workshop project conducted to provide an overview of the state of habitat indicator development for wild Pacific salmon and to propose candidate indicators. After an introduction on the Wild Pacific Salmon Policy and the project study approach, chapter 2 presents an overview of Pacific salmon life history stages, habitat utilization, and relationships between salmon production & habitat characteristics. Chapter 3 summarizes previous activities related to development of salmon habitat indicators and frameworks for indicator selection. Chapter 4 contains a table of candidate indicators of habitat status. Chapter 5 lists data sources in British Columbia to support the candidate indicators. Chapter 6 briefly discusses several watershed-based programs related to wild Pacific salmon habitat & indicators. Chapter 7 is a summary of the salmon habitat indicator workshop findings; the full workshop report is appended. The final chapter makes recommendations for identifying a suite of habitat indicators with a view to optimizing the potential for successful implementation. Other appendices include a detailed preliminary analysis of the candidate indicators.

Rangeland Health
Rangeland Health

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1994-02-01

Total Pages: 201

ISBN-13: 0309048796

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Rangelands comprise between 40 and 50 percent of all U.S. land and serve the nation both as productive areas for wildlife, recreational use, and livestock grazing and as watersheds. The health and management of rangelands have been matters for scientific inquiry and public debate since the 1880s, when reports of widespread range degradation and livestock losses led to the first attempts to inventory and classify rangelands. Scientists are now questioning the utility of current methods of rangeland classification and inventory, as well as the data available to determine whether rangelands are being degraded. These experts, who are using the same methods and data, have come to different conclusions. This book examines the scientific basis of methods used by federal agencies to inventory, classify, and monitor rangelands; it assesses the success of these methods; and it recommends improvements. The book's findings and recommendations are of interest to the public; scientists; ranchers; and local, state, and federal policymakers.