Urban stormwater management and ecosystem services: An socio-ecological assessment of innovative approaches in the Portland metropolitian region

Background/Question/Methods

Recent developments in stormwater management in urban areas provide several opportunities for evaluating the ecosystem services in human-dominated landscapes. These developments include urban several approaches that are characterizes as ‘sustainable’ stormwater management, including green streets, bioswales, retention/detention systems, and low impact developments.  Given the change from underground infrastructure to above-ground systems, and with few studies about their effectiveness, we evaluate their effectiveness in providing regulating, supporting, and aesthetic services to urban residents. Specifically, we use the Portland metropolitan region to ask: (1) what ecological processes are improved by the creation of these above-ground stormwater systems? (2) how do indicators of ecological health change with the introduction of these facilities; and (3) what social benefits accrue as a result of these facilities.

Results/Conclusions

To address these questions we conduct statistical and geographic analysis of infiltration rates, pollutant removal, and social responses based on a survey of urban residents. Our results indicate numerous improvements in ecological and social conditions, although benefits vary through time and geographic region of the city.