Adaptive Management and the Delta Plan

“Include a science-based, transparent, and formal adaptive management strategy for ongoing ecosystem restoration and water management decisions.” (Water Code §85308(f))

“‘Adaptive management’ means a framework and flexible decision-making process for ongoing knowledge acquisition, monitoring, and evaluation leading to continuous improvements in management planning and implementation of a project to achieve specified objectives.” (Water Code §85052)

Adaptive Management Development

• Ecosystem Management (early 1990s)– Founded with the goal of long-term sustainability of

ecosystem structures and processes (Christensen et al. 1996, Ecological Applications)

• Adaptive Management (late 1990s)– Embrace uncertainty and risk in natural resources

management (Johnson 1999, Ecology and Society)

• Adaptive Co-Management (early 2000s)– Adaptive management with the sharing of power and

responsibility among local user communities and resource management agencies (Folke et al. 2002, Ambio)

Adaptive Management Definitions

“[A] Framework of on-going knowledge acquisition, monitoring, and evaluation leading to continuous improvement in the identification and implementation of management” (Healthy Waterways Initiative 2005)

“A flexible, learning-based management approach in which natural systems are managed to ensure their recovery and improvement, while an understanding of how these systems function is developed to raise the effectiveness of future management actions.” (Lund et al. 2010)

Healthy Waterways Initiative – Southeast Queensland

SE Queensland’s waterways and

catchments are not healthy

Vision: Healthy living ecosystems by 2020

Conceptual models, hydrodynamic transport

model

Water Quality Management Strategy: Targeted research, pilot and full-scale projects

Design staged studies & on-going monitoring

program

Implement studies & on-going monitoring

Conclusions & recommendations

Report cards, annual technical report, web

communication, science road show

Adjust plans and upgrade operations

Adaptive Management Framework

Define/ Redefine the Problem

(Findings)

Establish Goals, Objectives and Performance

Measures

Model Linkages Between Objectives

and Proposed Action(s)

Select Action(s): Research, Pilot, or

Full-scale

Design Implementation Action(s) with

Monitoring

Implement Action(s) and Monitoring

Analyze, Synthesize & Evaluate

Communicate Current

Understanding

Respond/ Adapt

Delta Stewardship Council

Adaptive Management Team

Delta Independent Science Board

Interagency Ecological Program

& Delta Science Program

Stakeholders/ Agencies

Proposed Adaptive Management Governance Structure