Poster Session: Management & Planning

Assessing ecosystem health: a framework for integrating information across multiple scales. Munoz-Erickson, Tischa ^*,1, Loeser, Matthew^*,1, Aguilar-Gonzalez, Bernardo², Sisk, Thomas¹, ¹ Center for Environmental Sciences and Education, Flagstaff, AZ, USA² Cultural and Regional Studies Program, Prescott, AZ, USA

ABSTRACT- The sustainability of arid and semiarid grasslands across the world is greatly influenced by natural and human disturbances that manifest themselves at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Uncertainties over the occurrence and effects of these disturbances, compounded by the fragmentation of available scientific information amongst different agencies, research institutions and organizations, often limit resource management success. Here we present a framework for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring the outcomes of management strategies at an ecosystem level. Through the use of a range of indicators, the Holistic Ecosystem Health Indicator (HEHI) framework integrates multiple ecological and sociological criteria to quantify their responses through time. To demonstrate the utility of this framework on a site-specific basis, we have been working with a northern Arizona collaborative land management group, the Diablo Trust. Based on scientific literature, expert opinion, and interviews with stakeholders, 14 key indicators have been selected: soil quality, vegetation, watershed health, primary productivity, erosion, wildlife, demographics, economic viability, access to services, community strength, land distribution, land use, public awareness and perspectives, social capital, and implementation of regulations. Data-collection protocols were developed for each indicator and applied in 2003. This framework will allow managers and stakeholders to define and prioritize adaptive management strategies, facilitate communication among stakeholders, and assess progress towards their goals.

KEY WORDS: integrative framework, ecosystem health, ecological and social indicators, evaluation and monitoring