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Estuary ecosystem restoration: implementing and institutionalizing adaptive management
Author(s) -
Ebberts Blaine D.,
Zelinsky Ben D.,
Karnezis Jason P.,
Studebaker Cynthia A.,
LopezJohnston Siena,
Creason Anne M.,
Krasnow Lynne,
Johnson Gary E.,
Thom Ronald M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
restoration ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1526-100X
pISSN - 1061-2971
DOI - 10.1111/rec.12562
Subject(s) - adaptive management , restoration ecology , environmental resource management , process (computing) , corporate governance , work (physics) , agency (philosophy) , ecosystem , estuary , ecosystem management , business , environmental restoration , environmental planning , process management , environmental science , computer science , ecology , engineering , sociology , finance , biology , mechanical engineering , social science , operating system
We implemented and institutionalized an adaptive management (AM) process for the Columbia Estuary Ecosystem Restoration Program, which is a large‐scale restoration program focused on improving ecosystem conditions in the 234‐km lower Columbia River and estuary. For our purpose, “institutionalized” means the AM process and restoration programs are embedded in the work flow of the implementing agencies and affected parties. While plans outlining frameworks, processes, or approaches to AM of ecosystem restoration programs are commonplace, their establishment for the long‐term is not. This article presents the basic AM process and explains how AM was implemented and institutionalized. Starting with a common goal, we pursued a well‐understood governance and decision‐making structure, routine coordination and communication activities, data and information sharing, commitment from partners and upper agency management to the AM process, and meaningful cooperation among program managers and partners. The overall approach and steps to implement and institutionalize AM for ecosystem restoration explained here are applicable to situations in which it has been incomplete or, as in our case, the restoration program is just getting started.