1

Key Discussion Points From Meeting of Key Discussion Points From Meeting of 

GCMRC and its Senior Ecologist with GCMRC and its Senior Ecologist with 

Science Advisors on Ecosystem Science Advisors on Ecosystem 

Approaches in Science Approaches in Science

L.D. Garrett, SA Executive Coordinator L.D. Garrett, SA Executive Coordinator

GCDAMP Technical Work Group GCDAMP Technical Work Group 

Meeting Meeting

Phoenix, AZ Phoenix, AZ

March 16 March 16-17, 2009 17, 2009

Use of Adaptive Management Process Use of Adaptive Management Process 

in GCDAMP Science and Management in GCDAMP Science and Management

• The GCDAMP emphasis on well planned, The GCDAMP emphasis on well planned, 

documented integrated science is critical to documented integrated science is critical to 

continued science and management success. continued science and management success. 

• GCMRC approved science programs must be GCMRC approved science programs must be 

supported. Improved science integration is supported. Improved science integration is 

recommended. recommended.

• Evaluate alternative approaches for looking at Evaluate alternative approaches for looking at 

conceptual aspects of the system; data, conceptual aspects of the system; data, 

photography, non photography, non-numeric models. numeric models.

• Emphasize mini models (sub models) for Emphasize mini models (sub models) for 

predictive needs; reevaluate numeric system predictive needs; reevaluate numeric system 

model approach model approach
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Use of Adaptive Management Process Use of Adaptive Management Process 

in GCDAMP Science and Management in GCDAMP Science and Management

(continued)

• Improve adaptive management processes for Improve adaptive management processes for 

resolving issues affecting all GCDAMP programs; resolving issues affecting all GCDAMP programs; 

DFC, management actions, roles and DFC, management actions, roles and 

responsibilities. Utilize timely workshops. responsibilities. Utilize timely workshops.

• Adaptive management processes need continued Adaptive management processes need continued 

effective leadership at GCMRC, AMWG, TWG and effective leadership at GCMRC, AMWG, TWG and 

Secretarial level. Evaluate a more permanent Secretarial level. Evaluate a more permanent 

Executive Director position. Executive Director position.

GCMRC Science Thrusts GCMRC Science Thrusts

• Pursue long term assessments of interrelated Pursue long term assessments of interrelated 

effects of food web, near shore habitat, effects of food web, near shore habitat, 

predation, and competition on native fish. predation, and competition on native fish.

• Evaluation of HBC recruitment trends associated Evaluation of HBC recruitment trends associated 

with changing systems. with changing systems.

• Improved capabilities to evaluate integrated Improved capabilities to evaluate integrated 

water quality changes on systems biology. water quality changes on systems biology.

• Full integration of the Lake Powell and Full integration of the Lake Powell and 

downstream water quality monitoring programs. downstream water quality monitoring programs.
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GCMRC Science Thrusts GCMRC Science Thrusts

(continued) (continued)

• Fully address the questions, Fully address the questions, “will flow only will flow only 

ecosystem management concepts fulfill ecosystem management concepts fulfill 

stakeholder management objectives stakeholder management objectives”. Use 

system wide monitoring and research. system wide monitoring and research.

• Contrast cultural CJ model with less complex Contrast cultural CJ model with less complex 

alternative approaches including risk models. alternative approaches including risk models.

• More comprehensive socio More comprehensive socio-economic economic 

assessments are needed, i.e. hydropower, assessments are needed, i.e. hydropower, 

recreation, water, tourism, etc. Review GCEM recreation, water, tourism, etc. Review GCEM 

sub model. sub model. 

DASA Program and Remote Sensing DASA Program and Remote Sensing 

Assessments Assessments

• Three GCMRC systems level remote sensing Three GCMRC systems level remote sensing 

options for FY 2009 were discussed; budget options for FY 2009 were discussed; budget 

availability of $600K. availability of $600K.

• Comparing options 1 and 2 for reassessments in Comparing options 1 and 2 for reassessments in 

2009, a tradeoff exists between evaluating 2009, a tradeoff exists between evaluating 

vegetation change (option1) and gaining vegetation change (option1) and gaining 

bathymetric and topography bathymetric and topography capability (option2). capability (option2). 

• Option 1 ($300 Option 1 ($300-$400k) would be a reasonable $400k) would be a reasonable 

use of the $600k available funds. use of the $600k available funds.
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DASA Program and Remote DASA Program and Remote 

Sensing Assessments Sensing Assessments (continued)

• Future geomorphologic system Future geomorphologic system 

assessments would seem to benefit from assessments would seem to benefit from 

new topographic and bathymetric new topographic and bathymetric 

capabilities; i.e. option 2 SHOALS capabilities; i.e. option 2 SHOALS LiDAR

technology. technology. 

• Option 3 for site specific cultural resource Option 3 for site specific cultural resource 

assessments seems cost effective, i.e. assessments seems cost effective, i.e. 

$2,000 a site. $2,000 a site.

Coping with Surprises in Ecosystem Coping with Surprises in Ecosystem 

Management and Science Management and Science

• Placing emphasis on learning Placing emphasis on learning from recent surprises from from recent surprises from 

system. Science and management planning can reduce system. Science and management planning can reduce 

surprises, e.g.; surprises, e.g.;

– Involve interdisciplinary teams of experts. Involve interdisciplinary teams of experts.

– Develop risk assessments Develop risk assessments

– Formulate improved science/policy questions and timely assessments.

– Develop and implement long term sand resource monitoring. rm sand resource monitoring.

– Continue to develop other long term resource monitoring. Continue to develop other long term resource monitoring.

– Continue to develop and use conceptual systems descriptions of CRE.
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Core Monitoring Plan Core Monitoring Plan

• GCMRC should complete the Core GCMRC should complete the Core 

Monitoring Plan for SA review, and resolve Monitoring Plan for SA review, and resolve 

revisions by May. revisions by May.

• Involve TWG and scientists in workshop Involve TWG and scientists in workshop 

on plan by early summer. on plan by early summer.