| Abstract |
This document outlines the scope of National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) risk management research in the area of ecosystem restoration. NRMRL is uniquely positioned to make substantial contributions to ecosystem science because of its in-house expertise relative to surface, subsurface, atmospheric, and hydrologic systems. These systems are the substrata for biotic interactions, particularly relative to higher plants and animals. Thus, modest efforts to integrate ecological measurements with NRMRL's surface, subsurface, atmospheric, and hydrologic data promises to provide significant research advances. NRMRL's involvement in ecosystem research is keyed to water resources and land use for two reasons. First, as a society the authors are confronted by a suite of environmental problems that are large-scale, persistent, and resistant to cost-effective remedy by current technologies. An excellent example is non-point pollution. Despite notable success at controlling pollution from point sources, substantial water-quality problems persist because of non-point source problems. Second, there is a strong tendency for research to be conducted within specialities, at local suites, on short time-lines. |
