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THE EMERGENCE OF ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING AS A DISCIPLINE
Citation:
Gattie, D K., E. W. Tollner, M. C. Smith, AND S C. McCutcheon. THE EMERGENCE OF ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING AS A DISCIPLINE. ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING 20(5):409-420, (2003).
Impact/Purpose:
This research task will develop modeling approaches and protocols for developing sediment TMDLs for in-stream and watershed (i.e., land surface) processes, and will eventually produce a model of stream and watershed geomorphology. General goals to accomplish this objective are the following:
1. Develop watershed-based modeling systems to forecast the effectiveness of alternative management plans in meeting sediment-related criteria and standards based on appropriate biological endpoints; and
2. Develop and maintain a comprehensive technical support capability that directly links sediment TMDL exposure research activities and products for the EPA Office of Water, EPA Regional Offices, and the States to be used for implementation of policy, regulatory development, remediation, and enforcement needs.
Description:
Pioneering efforts in the field of ecological engineering research and practice have proven to be tremendous strides toward establishing a new engineering discipline with a science base in ecology. Case studies, demonstrations and applications pertaining to restoration, rehabilitation, conservation, sustainability, reconstruction, remediation and reclamation of ecosystems using ecological engineering techniques are numerous. This has brought the field to the current level where many scientists and engineers adequately support the concept of, and need for, ecological engineering, and generally agree that ecological engineering has been sufficiently defined. There is also general agreement that its emergence as an engineering discipline remains a difficult task. This paper discusses certain general characteristics of existing engineering disciplines that can guide the emergence of ecological engineering. The authors then propose and discuss three concepts: 1) certification in ecological design, 2) development of core ecological engineering sciences and 3) establishment of formal ecological engineering areas of research, as elements of a formal approach to emerge ecological engineering as a principled, quantitative, novel, formal and recognized engineering discipline that coalesces past, current and future outputs of research and practice into cohesive underpinnings for the field.