Conceptual Models to Support Environmental Planning and Operations

Abstract

The purpose of this technical note is to provide guidelines on the use of conceptual models to improve system-wide planning and operation of water resource projects of the Corps of Engineers. Conceptual models provide a tool to represent, communicate, and analyze the structure, functions, and hierarchical relationships of the systems affected by Corps activities. The movement toward ecosystem restoration projects and toward sustainability of economic and ecologically viable systems has brought into focus the need to approach some Corps activities on a system-wide basis including: • Understanding the response of natural resources to environmental change or stress. • Supplying reliable services, e.g., flood damage reduction, maintenance of biodiversity. • Designing and managing projects in a sustainable manner.

Expanding Environmental Emphases in Water Resources Planning

“…In this context, a conceptual model herein represents a summary of known scientific and policy information about the components of an environmental or social system (ecosystem), the characteristics and interactions of the components, and the effects of societal actions on such characteristics and interactions. Further, such models have been defined as a representation of relationships among natural forces and factors, and human activities (intended or not) that are believed to impact or influence, environmental conditions, lake water quality, aquatic or terrestrial habitat, or level of ecological risk (Henderson and O'Neil, 2004). Finally, various levels of model sophistication have been noted since their initiation in the 1980s and 1990s.…”

“…Finally, various levels of model sophistication have been noted since their initiation in the 1980s and 1990s. The outputs from water resources-related conceptual models are typically qualitative or descriptive narratives or simplified graphic representations that demonstrate the causal relationships between natural forces and human activities and changes in aquatic or terrestrial systems (Henderson and O'Neil, 2004). Such summary information can be presented in a picture model form; a (descriptive) word, sentence, or paragraph model form; a tabular or interactive matrix form; a questionnaire checklist; or via box-and-arrow diagrams analogous to network diagrams or cause-and-effects linkages used for addressing direct, indirect, and cumulative effects (Jorgensen and Bendoricchio, 2001).…”

“…They include: (1) identify the objectives and uses of the model; (2) delineate the spatial and temporal scales or boundaries of the model; (3) identify the structural components (drivers, stressors, essential ecosystem characteristics, and endpoints) of the system; (4) identify the sources of change in the system; (5) review the model; and (6) implement the model. These six generic steps are more fully described elsewhere (Henderson and O'Neil, 2004).…”

Clear Creek Watershed Flood Risk Management Habitat Assessments Using Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP): Analyses, Results and Documentation

“…By definition, a conceptual model is a representation of relationships between natural forces, factors, and human activities believed to impact, influence or lead to an interim or final ecological condition (Harwell et al 1999, Henderson andO'Neil 2004). In most instances these models are presented as qualitative or descriptive narratives and illustrated by influence diagrams that depict the causal relationships between natural forces and human activities that produce changes in systems (Harwell et al 1999, Turner et al 2001, Ogden et al 2005, Alvarez-Rogel et al 2006.…”

“…Conceptual models are proving to be an innovative approach to organizing, communicating, and facilitating analysis of natural resources at the landscape scale (Harwell et al 1999, Turner et al 2001, Henderson and O'Neil 2004, Ogden et al 2005, Watzin et al 2005, AlvarezRogel et al 2006. By definition, a conceptual model is a representation of relationships between natural forces, factors, and human activities believed to impact, influence or lead to an interim or final ecological condition (Harwell et al 1999, Henderson andO'Neil 2004).…”