A watershed assessment tool for evaluating ecological condition, proposed impacts, and restoration potential at multiple scales

摘要: Abstract : In rapidly developing regions of the United States, planning and regulatory agencies are faced with difficult task protecting enhancing natural resources while accommodating economic development. There is a general consensus among resource management professionals that most effective way to approach complex issues involved consider them at watershed level, where fundamental connection all components landscape network streams drain basin (Heathcote 1998, National Research council 1999, Newbold 2002, Ogg Keith 2002). The perspective promotes consideration linkages components, such as effects land use on stream water quality discharge, or potential influence diversions storage habitat downstream channels, wetlands, riparian areas.