99th ESA Annual Meeting (August 10 -- 15, 2014)

SS 16

Riparian Research and Management Challenges in Large River Systems

Large river systems present special challenges to both management and research, particularly in populous, water-limited regions. Recent large-scale riparian research projects in many of these ecosystems have advanced our knowledge of basin-scale physical/biological linkages and key vulnerabilities to climate change and current land and water management. This special session will gather riparian researchers working in large river systems to address the central theme of facilitating exchange of information between researchers in multiple scientific disciplines, partner institutions, and stakeholders to improve large-scale riparian management, conservation and restoration.  Our aim is to set a forward-looking agenda for riparian restoration research by synthesizing diverse perspectives from our speakers and audience members.

 

The session will start with short, synthesis presentations of lessons learned from different river basins, focusing on large systems with multiple management challenges.  Speakers will include Greg Golet (Sacramento River), Christer Nilsson (Swedish and boreal rivers), David Merritt (Southwestern U.S.), Mark Dixon (Missouri River), and John Stella (Rhône River).  In the second half, all session attendees are invited to a round table discussion to identify common lessons and insights, as well as opportunities to collaborate across ecosystems and biomes.