Grantee Research Project Results
Application of Individual-based Fish Models to Regional Decision-making
EPA Grant Number: R830886Title: Application of Individual-based Fish Models to Regional Decision-making
Investigators: Lamberson, Roland H. , Railsback, Steven F.
Institution: Humboldt State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: May 1, 2003 through April 30, 2006 (Extended to November 30, 2006)
Project Amount: $418,710
RFA: Developing Regional-Scale Stressor-Response Models for Use in Environmental Decision-making (2002) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
Individual-based models (IBMs) simulate stressor effects on populations as emerging from how individual organisms interact with their environment and each other. As stressor-response models, IBMs have many potential advantages: (1) complex, nonlinear interactions among stressors emerge naturally from the model instead of having to be written into the model; (2) population consequences of stressor effects that are known only at the individual level (e.g., from laboratory studies) can be predicted; (3) transient responses to time-varying stressors can be predicted; (4) IBMs are developed from a wide variety of information, not just calibrated to field data; (5) IBMs can be tested and validated in many ways; and (6) IBMs can be very general, needing only habitat data for application to new sites. Our IBMs for stream salmonids have undergone extensive verification and validation, and have been applied to diverse river management and research issues. These IBMs predict population dynamics as a function of: daily stream flow, temperature, and turbidity; stream channel shape; food production; and mortality risks. New stressors (e.g., toxins) are easily added.
Approach:
We will develop and demonstrate the usefulness of our salmonid IBMs for regional decision-making, by (1) adapting our IBM that simulates linked stream reaches for watershed-level assessment, (2) conducting a demonstration assessment, and (3) examining uncertainties and sensitivities in the regional assessment. We will use existing models and data sets in a demonstration assessment of: (1) turbidity effects of timber harvest (managed via TMDLs) and (2) instream flows at a water project (managed via FERC license requirements), interacting with (3) introduction of an exotic, piscivorous fish. Assessment endpoints will include trout population persistence, relative abundance of two competing trout species, total trout production, and reproductive success. Patterns of response over time and stream characteristics (size, slope, elevation, etc.) will be determined for scenarios representing alternative sediment TMDLs and instream flow requirements. Management for each issue will be evaluated separately, then in combination to identify interactions. These experiments will be repeated with and without the introduced piscivore. We will evaluate assessment uncertainties to determine the need for precision in model calibration and the field data describing habitat.
Expected Results:
We will develop assessment methods that make the benefits of IBMs available to watershed managers. Our IBMs already provide many of the capabilities sought by EPA under this solicitation. This project will make these capabilities available for regional decision-making.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 27 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 3 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
watersheds, water, ecological effects, aquatic, ecosystem, ecology., RFA, Economic, Social, & Behavioral Science Research Program, Scientific Discipline, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water & Watershed, Monitoring/Modeling, Regional/Scaling, decision-making, Ecology and Ecosystems, Biology, Watersheds, Economics & Decision Making, risk assessment, ecosystem modeling, aquatic ecosystem, watershed, ecosystem assessment, Bayesian approach, decision analysis, decision making, environmental decision making, ecological variation, TMDL, regional scale impacts, water quality, assessment endpoint mechanistic research, ecological indicators, ecology assessment models, ecosystem stress, watershed assessment, ecological models, fish models, individual based models, stressor response model, decision support tool, environmental risk assessment, water monitoring, adaptive implementation modelingProgress and Final Reports:
The 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.