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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Water Quality and Ecology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #162355
Title: MEASURES OF SUCCESS: DEFINING THE OUTCOMES

Author
item SKINNER, K - HAYCOCK ASSOC LTD
item Shields Jr, Fletcher
item HARRISON, S - UNIV COLLEGE CORK

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2005
Publication Date: 2/15/2008
Citation: Skinner, K., Shields Jr, F.D., Harrison, S. 2008. Measures of success: defining the outcomes. IN S.E. Darby and Sear, E. (eds.) River Restoration: Managing the Uncertainty in Restoring Physical Habitat. John Wiley & Sons, pp. 187-208. ISBN: 978-0-470-86706-8.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Globally, the number of river restoration projects has increased significantly over the last two decades. Biological and physical responses to river restoration projects are inherently uncertain, due to the stochastic nature of fluvial and riparian processes and superimposed large-scale hydrologic and climatic influences. Monitoring and post-project appraisal are needed to allow for adaptive management and for improvement in the state of design science. However, there is no general consensus on the best approach for monitoring or post-project appraisals. Issues associated with monitoring and post-project appraisals are described. A suggested general protocol for post-implementation practice is detailed, including a methodology for post-project appraisals. Common techniques for quantifying physical habitat and biological populations are examined. Examples of practice from management agencies in the Europe, Australia and the U. S. are reviewed, with recommendations for best practice. It is economically unrealistic to expect every restoration scheme to include a detailed, long-term monitoring program for all variables of concern. However, some projects should be intensively studied so that a 'best practice' methodology can evolve, leading the learning process and lowering the levels of uncertainty associated with restoration practice. A lower level of monitoring and appraisal should be included in all other projects.