Research
Visit
the
"Validation
Monitoring
Panel"
website
PNW
Funded Projects
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
PNW Project Overview 1998
Developing Quantitative Monitoring of Benefits of Riparian Practices on Salmon Abundance; Moving Beyond Policy by What is Plausible
Principal
Investigator:
John
Calhoun, University of Washington, Olympic Natural Resources Center
Awarded: $20,000
Project
Description:
The
lack of scientific information stymies social consensus on the appropriate
prescriptions to apply. The history of investment in fisheries restoration
does not provide grounds for confidence in current management strategies.
Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent attempting to restore
habitat in the Pacific Northwest. Little effort has been made to
scientifically assess the net benefits of this major social investment.
The ultimate criteria of success must be and will be the status of salmon
populations. In the face of substantial investments, salmon stocks have
continued to decline. The stakeholders interpret this decline in many
ways. Some argue that the investment has been insufficient and much
greater economic sacrifice will be necessary. On the other hand, political
opposition to open-ended investment has also become more vocal. Newly
proposed ESA listings are expected to raise the costs of salmon
restoration for communities throughout the Northwest. Increased social and
political stress is sure to follow. Management prescriptions and
conservation strategies will need scientific justification in order to
maintain support and withstand the inevitable challenges.
The scientific basis for validation monitoring of salmon conservation practices must be developed in order to provide social confidence and political support for the investments of vast public resources in salmon conservation and restoration. Economic, social, and cultural values are at stake in the Pacific Northwest effort to conserve salmon runs. Without the scientific basis for validating conservation efforts, the huge public investment will be lost.
Project Status:
Project continued with
1999 funds.
Project Progress:
The
purpose of this project is to conduct a critical analysis of salmon
conservation efforts and the measures used to assess their success or
failure. During the first year of this project, members were recruited
to the Validation Monitoring Panel, led by co-chairs
Dr. Daniel Botkin
and
Dr. David Peterson. During a meeting at the Keystone Center from February
29 – March 2, the co-chairs led primary panel efforts to establish and
examine the pertinent primary questions:
- Is
counting numbers of adult salmon necessary, practical, and feasible as
a measure of policy success?
- What
other variables (such as habitat) are necessary to measure success?
- If
it’s impractical, what are the alternatives to counting numbers of
adult salmon?
In addition, the ONRC established a Validation Monitoring website, which served as an information resource for panel members, and included all relevant panel information.