Monitoring ecosystem integrity

Abstract

In ecosystem preservation, restoration, and management, plan development and implementation is based on both policy and scientific considerations, which are not mutually exclusive. Decision and policy makers, scientists, and practitioners must meet a consensus regard-ing what, where, and how to monitor these initiatives. The results, of which, are synthesized into an end product util-ized by managers to make a decision. We review a theo-retical approach to developing metrics for monitoring res-toration projects which is based on fundamentals of deci-sion analysis and the overarching goal of enhancing eco-system integrity. We then test the application of this framework to a stream restoration case study in Georgia. Through this example, we seek to clarify the roles of tech-nical personnel and decision makers in identification and application of metrics for monitoring ecosystem benefits, goods, and services.