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Assessing Dungeness River Functionality and Effectiveness of Best Management Practices (BMPs) Using an Ecological
Eric S Hall1, Robert K Hall2, Sherman Swanson3
1USEPA Office of Research and Development, NERL, Systems Exposure Division (SED), Ecological and Human Community Analysis Branch, Research Triangle Park, NC.
American Journal of Environmental Engineering
|July 25, 2020
Summary
Restoring watershed functions using Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) improves aquatic habitats and water quality. This ecological approach is more effective than traditional pollutant reduction methods alone.
Area of Science:
- Riparian ecology and watershed management.
- Hydrology and ecosystem services.
- Environmental science and restoration ecology.
Background:
- Effective stream and wetland Best Management Practices (BMPs) aim to restore ecological functions to Proper Functioning Condition (PFC).
- Ecological functions are crucial for stream monitoring, management, and mitigating ecosystem degradation.
- Watersheds are key spatial units for ecosystem management, species protection, and understanding physical process interdependence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of the ecological function approach in watershed management and restoration.
- To advocate for improving watershed functions as a superior BMP compared to solely focusing on pollutant reduction.
- To integrate Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) methodology with quantitative approaches for effective watershed restoration.
Main Methods:
- Assessing and monitoring ecosystem function drivers (vegetation, hydrology, soil, landform) within an adaptive management framework.
- Implementing BMPs focused on enhancing ecological functions to improve aquatic habitat and water quality.
- Utilizing the Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) approach to guide quantitative restoration methods like Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and remote sensing.
Main Results:
- Improving watershed functions enhances the flow of water, nutrients, and sediment, leading to better habitat quality.
- The PFC approach provides a framework for assessing stream and wetland conditions.
- Integrating PFC with tools like TMDLs and remote sensing offers a more comprehensive risk reduction strategy for watersheds.
Conclusions:
- Restoring watershed functions is a critical BMP for improving aquatic habitat and water quality.
- The ecological function approach, particularly using PFC, offers a more holistic and effective strategy for watershed restoration than traditional methods.
- Combining PFC methodology with quantitative tools like TMDLs and remote sensing enhances the effectiveness of watershed risk reduction.
Keywords:
Best Management Practices (BMPs)Ecological functionFecal coliformNon-Point Source (NPS)Point Source (PS)Potential Natural Condition (PNC)Proper Functioning Condition (PFC)Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)Watershed Condition Framework (WCF)
