The Ecosystem Functions Model: A Tool for Restoration Planning

Abstract

The Ecosystem Functions Model (EFM) is a planning tool that analyzes ecosystem response to changes in flow regime. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) is developing the EFM and envisions environmental planners, biologists, and engineers using the model to help determine whether proposed alternatives (e.g., reservoir operations or levee alignments) would maintain, enhance, or diminish ecosystem health. Project teams can use the EFM to visualize existing ecologic conditions, highlight promising restoration sites, and assess and rank alternatives according to the relative enhancement (or decline) of ecosystem aspects. This software is a general tool, applicable to a wide range of ecotypes and Corps projects.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA434891

Entities

People

  • Chris N. Dunn
  • John T. Hickey

Organizations

  • Engineer Research and Development Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army
  • Army Corps Of Engineers
  • California
  • Drainage Basins
  • Ecology
  • Ecosystems
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Fish
  • Flow
  • Habitats
  • Hydraulic Models
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Steady State
  • Topography
  • User Interface
  • Water

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Facility/Structural Engineering.
  • Theoretical Analysis.
  • Wetland-Land-Environmental Management.