Developing an Ecosystems Science Strategy for the USGS and the Nation

Gary Brewer and Ken WilliamsEcosystem SSPT Co-Chairs

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

Background on the USGS Science Planning Process

• In 2010, the USGS realigned around the broad science themes outlined in our 10-year Bureau-level strategy.

• Teams of USGS scientists are now leading the creationof 10-year science strategies for each of the newUSGS Mission Areas.

• USGS employees, external partners and stakeholders,and the public are being asked to weigh in on these strategies and major questions informing their creation.

• These strategies are scheduled to be completed in October of 2011.

• Learn more at www.usgs.gov/start_with_science/.

Core Ecosystem SSPT Members

Name Position• Ken Williams (Co-Chair)Chief, Cooperative Research Units• Gary Brewer (Co-Chair) Ocean Science Coordinator, Coastal and Marine Geology Program

• Jim Cloern Senior Scientist, National Research Program• Guy Gelfenbaum Oceanographer, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center• Robb Jacobson Research Hydrologist, Columbia Environmental Research

Center• Jeff Kershner Center Director, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center• Dave McGuire Unit Leader, Alaska Cooperative Research Unit• Jim Nichols Senior Scientist, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center• Carl Shapiro Director, Center for Science, Decisions, and Resources

Management• Charles Van Riper Senior Scientist, Southwest Biological Science Center• Robin White Bureau Approving Official, Office of Science Quality & Integrity• Lynn Wingard Paleoecologist, Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science

Center

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Outline of the Ecosystem Science Strategy

Introduction Why ecosystem science and why USGS?

Strategic Science Goals (about 5-6)Overview and justification Vision statementMajor Research Questions (about 6-8) Strategic Actions and Products

Short term (1 to 5 years)Longer-term (5 to10 years)

Critical Cross-cutting Capabilities Implementation Plan for Delivering ScienceAppendices Literature Cited

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3-Step Hierarchical Planning FrameworkAn Example from the SSPT Plan on “Climate and Land-Use Change”

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Steps in Strategic Plan Development

• Identify examples of potential strategic ecosystem science goals, questions, and actions/products

• Inform and engage stakeholders with an open inclusive process• Identify extended working groups to flesh-out the Plan’s framework• Consolidate and prioritize input through consensus • Make drafts available for review by interested stakeholders

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Preliminary Examples of Ecosystem Focus Issues (Goals)

• Understanding ecosystem structure, function and processes • Understanding how drivers and stressors influence ecosystem

change• Understanding the services that ecosystems provide to society • Science to support strategies for adaptation, restoration and

conservation of ecosystems• Tools and approaches that will better inform decisions about

ecosystems

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USGS Ecosystem Science

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Ecosystem Science is the study of organisms interacting with their environment and the consequences of natural and human induced

change on those systems

• What are the most important ecosystem science needs and challenges for the coming decade?

• What actions do you recommend that the USGS take to address these ecosystem science needs and challenges?

• How can USGS better provide relevant and timely ecosystem science information to decision makers, the scientific community, and the public?