Knowledge Base by Eric Silldorff, Aquatic Biologist, Delaware River Basin Commission

1. © David B. Soete
Status - Reason - Response:
Role of Data in Watershed Management
Erik L. Silldorff, Ph.D.

2. © David B. Soete

3. Status - Reason - Response
Status
•
what is the current condition of a site or a waterbody?
•
central focus for many monitoring efforts
•
critical data on status, types of resources, and sensitivities

4. Status - Reason - Response
Status
•
what is the current
condition of a site or a
waterbody?
NJDEP 2012

5. Status - Reason - Response
Reason
•
why is the site in a given condition?
•
typically asked during “Status” check but without appropriate
•
study design or data
very difficult (!!!!) because of complexity
→ complex ecological systems
→ complex & confounding human stressors
•
may only be pursued in high-profile or crisis settings
•
role for modeling

6. Status - Reason - Response
Reason
•
why is the condition
poorer than natural?
Shad Landings – Lambertville
(Delaware R Fish Coop 2011)
California Streams (USEPA 2013)

7. Status - Reason - Response
Response
•
dam removal
•
reforestation
•
streambank restoration
•
riparian restoration
•
stormwater control
•
nutrient control
•
species re-introduction
•
invasive eradication
•
pollution abatement
•
AMD remediation

8. Status - Reason - Response
Response
•
many stressors likely acting in concert within complex
ecological system
•
weak evidence on the “Reason” leads to waste of resources
•
prevention or restoration?
•
slower pace of restoration since 1970 related to challenges

9. Role of Data in Watershed Management
a wise person once said...
You don’t need data to make decisions.
You need data to make good decisions.

10. Thank You!
photo © Michael Hogan Photography

11. Data Collection: Complementary Roles
Government (Federal / State / County)
•
adept at measuring current status
Academic Researchers
•
greater emphasis on the reasons why
Non-Profit Groups
•
insights at the local scale & flexibility
Regulated Entities
•
may need to demonstrate localized effects (or lack thereof)