Finally, an understanding of the impact of our policies and actions is also desirable, and this is being performed through a program called Integrated Science for Ecological Challenges . Change in ecological systems, including their structure and function, may result from multiple stressors across multiple scales and multiple pathways. As such, the many mechanisms by which stressors may act on or alter ecosystems are poorly understood, as are the immediate and long-term consequences of those alterations. Research is needed to better understand the health of the ecosystem and the potential impact of human activities on ecosystem health. Ecosystem condition must be adequately monitored to ensure integrity and sustainability.
Biocriteria research involves the establishment of a threshold for comparing ambient conditions.
From these thresholds, biocriteria are then determined which serve as a measure of impairment to biota. This research will build on the experience gained from states and focus on developing an approach to establish rigorous and scientifically defensible biocriteria. Biocriteria will be developed for various aquatic resources, including coastal systems, estuaries and wetlands. Incorporating biocriteria into EMAP-type monitoring designs will be used by regions, States and Tribes to track the regional effectiveness of ecological management policies. In the West, our studies have led to more accurate population estimates for Oregon's Coho salmon.