8
The second basic task of an integrated ecological assessment involves the development of a
strategic plan that considers basic science principals, other related efforts, implementation, and
public participation. The science principles of
ecosystem management addressed previously in
this discussion should be considered in any ecological assessment (Chapters 1 through 4). The
challenge, therefore, is to implement these concepts
into measurable terms, given the ecosystem patterns and processes considered to be important to
a given assessment effort. Another key component
of developing a strategic plan for an integrated ecological assessment involves a rigorous review of
"lessons learned" from previous assessments. In
Chapters 30 through 34, we present a variety of
ecological assessment case study descriptions to
suggest what did and did not work, given the scope
of the project and the methods employed.
The primary purpose of an integrated ecological
assessment is to provide context for more locally
focused decision-making documents concerning
land-use objectives and regulatory requirements
(Haynes et aI., 1996; Lessard et aI., 1999). Accordingly, such assessments must consider the
manner in which their findings will be implemented
given federal, state, and local laws and regulations
(Chapter 35). Additionally, the strategic plan of any
ecological assessment should describe the approach
that will be used to involve public participation in
the assessment process (Chapters 4 and 30 through
35).
Once the scope of an assessment and a strategic
plan for its completion are developed, a tactical
plan is often required that considers information
management, basic technologies, generic analysis
methods, generic characterization methods, and
data integration issues (Figure 2). Information management is often one of the most expensive (if not
the most important) aspects of an ecological assessment. Included under this category are such issues as sampling design and appropriateness of
data; assimilation of existing data sets; data storage, management, and dissemination; and integration of diverse data sources. We address each of
these issues in Chapters 5 through 9 of this guidebook. A related topic to information management
is basic technologies that have particular importance to ecological assessments. In Chapters 10
through 12, we present overviews concerning the
use of remote sensing, geographic information systems, and decision support systems in ecological
assessments to emphasize why these technologies
should be considered in future analysis efforts.
A critical component of the tactical planning
Introduction
stage of any integrated ecological assessment involves an assessment of the analytical methods that
should be used (Chapters 13 through 17) in the interpretation of basic information concerning terrestrial, aquatic, and human systems (Chapters 22
through 29). Additionally, plans should be developed that facilitate integration of different results
from varied data sources (Chapters 1, 9, and 30
through 34).
The third and fourth steps of our general procedural framework for integrated ecological assessments (Figure 2) address the major work areas of
an assessment: ecosystem characterization and
analysis. For simplicity of presentation, we divided
ecosystem characterization into three general
groupings: terrestrial system techniques (Chapters
22 and 23), aquatic system techniques (Chapters 24
through 26), and human system techniques (Chapters 27 through 29). Recommendations concerning
the analysis of this information are provided in
Chapters 9 and 18 through 21.
The final step of our procedural framework for
integrated ecological assessments involves the development of appropriate documents and implementation through the planning process. Papers that
discuss these aspects of ecological assessments are
provided in Chapters 30 through 35.
References
Allen, T. F. H.; Starr, T. B. 1982. Hierarchy: perspectivesfor ecological complexity. Chicago: University of
Chicago Press.
Baker, W. L. 1992. The landscape ecology of large disturbances in the design and management of nature reserves. Landscape Ecol. 7:181-194.
Beek, K. J.; Bannema, J. 1972. Land evaluationfor agricultural land use planning-an ecological methodology. Wageningen, The Netherlands: Department of
Soil Sciences and Geology, Agricultural University.
Bourgeron, P. S.; Jensen, M. W. 1994. An overview of
ecological principles for ecosystem management. In:
Jensen, M. E.; Bourgeron, P. S., tech. eds. Volume II:
ecosystem management: principles and applications.
Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-318. Portland, OR: U.S.
Dept. Agric., For. Serv., Pacific Northw. Res. Sta.:
45-57.
Bourgeron, P. S.; Humphries, H. c.; Jensen, M. E.;
Brown, B. A. (2001). Integrated regional ecological
assessments and land use planning. In: Dale, V.; Haueber, R., eds. Applying ecological principles to land
management. New York: Springer-Verlag.
Boyce, M. S.; Haney, A. 1997. Ecosystem management:
applications for sustainable forest and wildlife resources. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Christensen, N. L. 1996. The scientific basis for sus-
The second basic task of an integrated ecological assessment involves the development of a
strategic plan that considers basic science principals, other related efforts, implementation, and
public participation. The science principles of
ecosystem management addressed previously in
this discussion should be considered in any ecological assessment (Chapters 1 through 4). The
challenge, therefore, is to implement these concepts
into measurable terms, given the ecosystem patterns and processes considered to be important to
a given assessment effort. Another key component
of developing a strategic plan for an integrated ecological assessment involves a rigorous review of
"lessons learned" from previous assessments. In
Chapters 30 through 34, we present a variety of
ecological assessment case study descriptions to
suggest what did and did not work, given the scope
of the project and the methods employed.
The primary purpose of an integrated ecological
assessment is to provide context for more locally
focused decision-making documents concerning
land-use objectives and regulatory requirements
(Haynes et aI., 1996; Lessard et aI., 1999). Accordingly, such assessments must consider the
manner in which their findings will be implemented
given federal, state, and local laws and regulations
(Chapter 35). Additionally, the strategic plan of any
ecological assessment should describe the approach
that will be used to involve public participation in
the assessment process (Chapters 4 and 30 through
35).
Once the scope of an assessment and a strategic
plan for its completion are developed, a tactical
plan is often required that considers information
management, basic technologies, generic analysis
methods, generic characterization methods, and
data integration issues (Figure 2). Information management is often one of the most expensive (if not
the most important) aspects of an ecological assessment. Included under this category are such issues as sampling design and appropriateness of
data; assimilation of existing data sets; data storage, management, and dissemination; and integration of diverse data sources. We address each of
these issues in Chapters 5 through 9 of this guidebook. A related topic to information management
is basic technologies that have particular importance to ecological assessments. In Chapters 10
through 12, we present overviews concerning the
use of remote sensing, geographic information systems, and decision support systems in ecological
assessments to emphasize why these technologies
should be considered in future analysis efforts.
A critical component of the tactical planning
Introduction
stage of any integrated ecological assessment involves an assessment of the analytical methods that
should be used (Chapters 13 through 17) in the interpretation of basic information concerning terrestrial, aquatic, and human systems (Chapters 22
through 29). Additionally, plans should be developed that facilitate integration of different results
from varied data sources (Chapters 1, 9, and 30
through 34).
The third and fourth steps of our general procedural framework for integrated ecological assessments (Figure 2) address the major work areas of
an assessment: ecosystem characterization and
analysis. For simplicity of presentation, we divided
ecosystem characterization into three general
groupings: terrestrial system techniques (Chapters
22 and 23), aquatic system techniques (Chapters 24
through 26), and human system techniques (Chapters 27 through 29). Recommendations concerning
the analysis of this information are provided in
Chapters 9 and 18 through 21.
The final step of our procedural framework for
integrated ecological assessments involves the development of appropriate documents and implementation through the planning process. Papers that
discuss these aspects of ecological assessments are
provided in Chapters 30 through 35.
References
Allen, T. F. H.; Starr, T. B. 1982. Hierarchy: perspectivesfor ecological complexity. Chicago: University of
Chicago Press.
Baker, W. L. 1992. The landscape ecology of large disturbances in the design and management of nature reserves. Landscape Ecol. 7:181-194.
Beek, K. J.; Bannema, J. 1972. Land evaluationfor agricultural land use planning-an ecological methodology. Wageningen, The Netherlands: Department of
Soil Sciences and Geology, Agricultural University.
Bourgeron, P. S.; Jensen, M. W. 1994. An overview of
ecological principles for ecosystem management. In:
Jensen, M. E.; Bourgeron, P. S., tech. eds. Volume II:
ecosystem management: principles and applications.
Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-318. Portland, OR: U.S.
Dept. Agric., For. Serv., Pacific Northw. Res. Sta.:
45-57.
Bourgeron, P. S.; Humphries, H. c.; Jensen, M. E.;
Brown, B. A. (2001). Integrated regional ecological
assessments and land use planning. In: Dale, V.; Haueber, R., eds. Applying ecological principles to land
management. New York: Springer-Verlag.
Boyce, M. S.; Haney, A. 1997. Ecosystem management:
applications for sustainable forest and wildlife resources. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Christensen, N. L. 1996. The scientific basis for sus-