Highlighted Scientific Findings Of The Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project

Decisions regarding 72 million acres of gov¿t.-admin. lands will be based on scientific findings brought forth in the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Mgmt. Project. Here are highlights of the scientific findings: (1) Conditions and trends differ widely across the landscape; one-size-fits-all strategies will neither restore nor maintain ecosystems; (2) Ecosystem elements are linked to one another; effective ecosystem mgmt. requires an understanding of these linkages; (3) The scientific assessment highlighted a wide variety of risks important to ecological and socioecon. systems. It also brought forth numerous opportunities to restore ecological systems and provide goods and services. Active restoration was effective in addressing basin-wide risks and opportunities. Illus.

The Status of the Interior Columbia Basin is a summary of the scientific findings from the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project. The Interior Columbia Basin includes some 145 million acres within the northwestern United States. Over 75 million acres of this area are managed by the USDA Forest Service or the USDI Bureau of Land Management. A framework for ecosystem management is described that assumes the broad purpose is to maintain the integrity of ecosystems over time and space. An integrated scientific assessment links landscape, aquatic, terrestrial, social, and economic characterizations to describe the biophysical and social systems. Ecosystem conditions within the Basin have changed substantially within the last 100 years. The status of ecosystems is described in terms of current conditions and trends under three broadly defined management options. The scientific information brought forward will be used in decision-making, and may potentially amend Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management plans within the Basin. The information highlighted here represents an integrated view of biophysical and socioeconomic elements at a scale never before attempted. The risks and opportunities are characterized in the broad context of the Basin for managers and the public to use as a foundation for discussion about future management.