No abstract

Ecosystem restoration planning requires quantitative rigor to evaluate alternatives, define end states, report progress and perform environmental benefits analysis (EBA). Unfortunately, existing planning frameworks are, at best, semi-quantitative. In this paper, we: (1) describe a quantitative restoration planning approach based on a comprehensive, but simple mathematical framework that can be used to effectively apply knowledge and evaluate alternatives, (2) use the approach to derive a simple but precisely defined lexicon based on the reference condition concept and allied terms and (3) illustrate the approach with an example from the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) using hydrologic indicators. The approach supports the development of a scaleable restoration strategy that, in theory, can be expanded to ecosystem characteristics such as hydraulics, geomorphology, habitat and biodiversity. We identify three reference condition types, best achievable condition (A BAC ), measured magnitude (MM i which can be determined at one or many times and places) and desired future condition (A DFC ) that, when used with the mathematical framework, provide a complete system of accounts useful for goal-oriented system-level management and restoration. Published in

Since its escapement into the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) and rapid expansion in the late 1900's, the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, has become a major component of the river fishery. Mean annual harvest value for this species was $270000 between 1953 and 1977. Recent evidence suggests that common carp may not be as abundant in the river as they have been in the past. We summarized historical commerical information on common carp in the UMR to put its current harvest levels in perspective. A major factor responsible for recent low annual harvests has been PCB contamination of the river in the Lake Pepin area. Market and biological factors probably have also contributed to declining harvests. To help explain why common carp populations in the UMR may be declining, we reviewed literature pertaining to the ecology of the species, particularly that from the river, its tributaries, or midwestern lakes. We included information on how common carp are controlled by environmental factors, and how they interact with other biota. Most aspects of carp ecology in the UMR and other areas are similar. Exceptions relate primarily to their response to annual water level regimes of the river. We postulate that population declines and absent year classes in the UMR may be related to poor recruitment during high-or variable-water years.

Water level regulation has been proposed as a tool for maintaining or enhancing fish and wildlife resources in navigation pools and associated flood plains of the Upper Mississippi River System. Research related to the development of water level management plans is being conducted under the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program. Research strategies include investigations of cause and effect relationships, spatial and temporal patterns of resource components, and alternative problem solutions. The principal hypothesis being tested states that water level fluctuations resulting from navigation dam operation create less than optimal conditions for the reproduction and growth of target aquatic macrophyte and fish species. Representative navigation pools have been selected to describe hydrologic, engineering, and legal constraints within which fish and wildlife objectives can be established. Spatial analyses are underway to predict the magnitude and location of habitat changes that will result from controlled changes in water elevation. KEY WORDS

Ponar, a r t i f i c i a l s u b s t r a t e , and d r i f t s a m p l e s were c o l l e c t e d t o d e f i n e b e n t h i c i n v e r t e b r a t e community c o m p o s i t i o n i n Pool 26 a t t h e s u b s t r a t e s were dominated by Potamyia flava, Hydropsyche o r r i s , and Chironomidae. I l l i n o i s R i v e r a r t i f i c i a l s u b s t r a t e s were dominated by C y r n e l l u s f r a t e r n u s , Chironomidae, and O l i g o c h a e t a . A r t i f i c i a l s u b s t r a t e s i n t h e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r were c o l o n i z e d by t w i c e a s many t a x a and 23 t r m e s more o r g a n i s m s t h a n t h o s e i n t h e I l l i n o i s R i v e r . S i l t a t i o n appeared t o be a major f a c t o r l i m i t i n g a r t i f~c i a l s u b s t r a t e c o l o n i z a t i o n i n t h e I l l i n o l s R i v e r . Composit i o n o f t h e d r i f t was d e p t h dependent and g r e a t e s t numbers o f o r g a n i s m s and :axa were c o l l e c t e d i n t h e two upper s t r a t a ( 0 . 3 m and 3 m). M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r d i e 1 d r i f t samples were dominated by Hydrops y c h i d a e , Ephemeridae, Ch i r o n o m i d a e , and Chaoborus, w h i l e I l l i n o i s R i v e r d r i f t was dominated by Chaoborus. G r e a t e s t d r i f t d e n s~t i e s g e n e r a l l y o c c u r r e d a t 2200 and 0100 h.