Grantee Research Project Results
1998 Progress Report: Ecological, Demographic, and Economic Evaluation of Opportunities and Constraints for Riparian Restoration
EPA Grant Number: R825797Title: Ecological, Demographic, and Economic Evaluation of Opportunities and Constraints for Riparian Restoration
Investigators: Gregory, Stanley V. , Hulse, David , Whitelaw, E. , Landers, Dixon
Institution: Oregon State University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: June 1, 1998 through May 31, 2001
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 1, 1998 through May 31, 1999
Project Amount: $899,999
RFA: Ecosystem Restoration (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Land and Waste Management
Objective:
Our fundamental objective is to develop and demonstrate an integrated system for identifying areas of greater ecological, demographic, and economic potential for restoration of riparian areas. We are quantitatively linking the biophysical components of riverine ecosystems with the demographic and economic systems to determine the potential for riparian restoration. The research in year one incorporates 1) field measurements of fish assemblage structure in the Willamette River, 2) analysis of historical change in the river channel and riparian vegetation, 3) spatially explicit measurement of rates of demographic change, 4) determination of measures of economic characteristics of riparian lands, and 5) development of a screening process for restoration potential of the mainstem Willamette River. Finally, we coordinate development of this process with active stakeholder groups working on the Willamette River (Natural Resources Office of the Governor of Oregon, Willamette Livability Forum, Willamette River Basin Task Force, Willamette River Restoration Initiative).
Progress Summary:
Species richness in the Willamette River Fish assemblages were sampled in three major reach types (tributary junctions, braided reaches, single channels) at nine sections of the Willamette River during summer 1997 (27 sampling locations). Fish species presence was determined by boat shocking, beach seining, microhabitat shocking, fyke nets, and minnow traps. Species richness was 20% greater in tributary junctions and braided reaches than in single reaches, but most of the difference was attributed to introduced species. Proportion of the collected species represented by introduced species increased from 4% at the upstream end of the river to more than 60% in the more urbanized lower reaches (Fig. 1). Incidence of external tumors and lesions on large scale suckers also increased in the downstream reaches.
Historical channel and riparian change We developed GIS maps of the Willamette River for 1850, 1895, 1932, and 1995. We worked with the USACE to develop GIS maps of the inundation boundaries of historical floods in 1861/1895, 1943, 1964, and 1996. We documented USACE channel modification projects from 1865-1995 on the GIS maps of the Willamette River and collaborated with agency staff to verify the revetment locations.
Preliminary analysis of changes between 1850, 1895, 1932, and 1995 indicates that the southern half of the basin has experienced greater loss of secondary river channels than the downstream half of the basin (Fig. 2). Area of islands has decreased in both portions of the river. More than half of the floodplain forests that were present in 1850 has been converted to agricultural and urban lands. The southern end of the mainstem Willamette historically was covered by extensive floods that extended several kilometers laterally to the active channel, but the downstream (northern) end of the river was generally constrained, even during major floods (Fig. 3).
International geomorphologists (Geoff Petts - U. of Birmingham, Angela Gurnell - U. of Birmingham, Herve Piegay - Universite Lyon) were contacted to critique our analysis of riverine patterns in the Willamette River basin. As a result of these discussions, physical patterns of the Willamette River will be compared to patterns observed in the River Dee in Wales, Tagliamento River in Italy, Ain River in France. These discussions confirmed the approach that we are using for network analysis and provided suggestions for linking the analysis to patterns of land use.
Demographic change A method for performing spatially explicit historical demographic trajectory analysis near the Willamette River has been developed based on assessment of available historical and contemporary data sources. This method is designed to permit correlation with landcover change over corresponding time intervals. Digital conversion of 1850 settlement, 1930, 1970 and 1990 census tract boundaries has been completed. Population data for 1930 and 1970 have been linked to tracts and human population density computed for those censuses. A spatial analysis of change in human population density from 1930 to 1970 has been completed. A collection of supplementary digital data suitable for use by project researchers has been assembled. Selected themes will be transferred to them as requested in coming months. A set of digital spatial control points is being used to improve the spatial accuracy of this version of the digital spatial database.
Existing transportation and presettlement vegetation coverages have been updated with recently available additions, and SSURGO soils data have been assembled for the study area. We have acquired historic and contemporary Willamette River channel data from collaborators at OSU and are coordinating them into the spatial data base.
Economic characterization We reviewed economics literature regarding riparian restoration. From our literature review and conversations with researchers and representatives of various groups, we identified the most important directions for our analysis and defined the objectives for the next stages of the project. We assembled data on urban riparian areas in Portland and Eugene/Springfield. For the non- urban riparian areas of the basin, data on the current vegetation along the mainstem of the Willamette River was assembled by the UO and OSU cooperators. We also gathered data on agriculture in the Basin and completed a preliminary economic characterization.
Public involvement Through the Willamette Livability Forum, we presented information about the project at the first annual Willamette Confluence, a stakeholders conference that explores basin issues. In addition, Governor Kitzhaber used the event to launch the Willamette Restoration Initiative and announce the members of its Board of Directors. In addition, we developed a proposed framework for tracking the health of the Willamette watershed. The framework or "report card" includes information and proposed indicators concerning restoration of wetlands and riparian areas. The Forum presented and discussed the proposed framework at the Willamette Confluence, and participants provided written comments. Information about the project was presented at two regional meetings of the Forum.
We also identified and recruited stakeholders that will advise and respond to the project team on various elements of the study. Members of the Forum and its Resource Group will serve as stakeholder groups. A Possible Futures Working Group was formed to advise on the development of long-term, alternative scenarios for the Willamette basin. This working group is identifying potential restoration efforts as part of one or more scenarios. Finally, the newly formed Willamette Restoration Initiative Board of Directors will serve as a stakeholder group for the project.
Future Activities:
We will expand sampling of fish assemblages in the Willamette River, census bird populations at the fish sampling sites, and analyze the canopy heterogeneity of riparian forests along the Willamette River. Historical changes will be analyzed continuously for 500-m increments along 270 km of the mainstem of the Willamette River. Human population density change from 1850 to 1930 and from 1970 to 1990 will be analyzed and incorporated in GIS maps. Land uses and economic characteristics of land use/decision maker sectors will be quantified. We will collaborate within the project to synthesize demographic, ecological, geomorphic and economic information to geographically prioritize restoration potential along the Willamette River.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 14 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
riparian vegetation, floods, restore, river, RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Water, Economic, Social, & Behavioral Science Research Program, Restoration, Economics & Decision Making, EPA Region, State, Ecosystem Protection, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Ecology, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, decision-making, Monitoring/Modeling, integrated assessment, Region 10, compensation, public values, bioavailability, ecological condition, ecological effects, ecosystem health, environmental consequences, forest, riparian, satellite, sociological, rivers, economic benefits, public issues, public resources, valuing environmental quality, aquaculture, aquatic biota , assessment methods, biodiversity, ecological risk assessment, ecosystem assessment, ecosystem condition, water quality, ecosystem, estuaries, stakeholder groups, economic goals, community-based, cost benefit, ecosystem valuation, policy analysis, social impact analysis, ecological assessment, habitat, incentives, monitoring, nonmarket valuation, streams, community involvement, stakeholder, aquatic, biotic integrity, ecosystem management, diversity, property values, public policy, remote sensing, surveys, wildlife, wetlands, biodiversity option values, cost/benefit analysis, environmental values, adverse impacts, ecological integrity, ecological exposure, social constraints, decision analysis, economic incentives, psychological attitudes, residential property values, social psychology, valuation, ecological indicators, ecological research, estuarine ecosystems, demographic, floods, GIS, modeling, social resistance, OR, aquatic ecosystems, contingent valuation, adaptation, ecological response, evaluating ecosystem responses, fish , ecological recovery, environmental assets, fish, river, socioeconomic, spatial analysis, stream, watershed, conservation, environmental policy, ecological impacts, ecosystem integrity, environmental benefits assessment, biological indicatorsProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.