Delaware River: Linking Water Management with Ecosystem Services
Dates
Start Date
2015
End Date
2018
Summary
The Delaware River pilot study will integrate biophysical information on freshwater mussels into a stated preference nonmarket valuation household survey to estimate the ecosystem service benefits of clean water supply to downstream users. The Delaware River basin is home to a healthy and substantial freshwater mussel population which has been characterized on a nearly continuous basis for the entire river. It is also unique in that a decision support system (known as the REFDSS) has been developed for the basin as part of the Department of the Interior’s WaterSMART initiative and the USGS’s National Water Census to facilitate management of key ecological resources in the river. Because of the well-established understanding [...]
Summary
The Delaware River pilot study will integrate biophysical information on freshwater mussels into a stated preference nonmarket valuation household survey to estimate the ecosystem service benefits of clean water supply to downstream users.
The Delaware River basin is home to a healthy and substantial freshwater mussel population which has been characterized on a nearly continuous basis for the entire river. It is also unique in that a decision support system (known as the REFDSS) has been developed for the basin as part of the Department of the Interior’s WaterSMART initiative and the USGS’s National Water Census to facilitate management of key ecological resources in the river. Because of the well-established understanding of water-related issues here, the Delaware River has been selected as a pilot study area as part of a broader USGS initiative to value ecosystem services in U.S. streams and rivers. In a collaborative effort among scientists from the Leetown Science Center’s Northern Appalachian Research Branch, the Fort Collins Science Center’s Social and Economic Analysis Branch, and the Fort Collins Science Center’s Aquatic Systems Branch, the goal for this pilot study is to leverage data on freshwater mussel ecosystem services with existing USGS tools (REFDSS, SPARROW, Benefit-Transfer Toolkit, EcoINFORMA) to: (1) Evaluate biofiltration, nutrient flux, storage, and retention associated with freshwater mussel populations within the Delaware River; (2) Quantify the economic value of the ecosystem services provided by freshwater mussels in the Delaware River using a stated preference nonmarket valuation method combined with a household survey and; (3) Develop a predictive model for estimating economic and ecological service benefits and losses associated with predicted changes to the Delaware basin (e.g., climate change, alternative water management strategies). It is anticipated that the results of this effort will have significance for local, regional, and possibly national level decision-making related to water management and natural capital.
FY15 Accomplishments
Designed sampling scheme for freshwater mussels at historical sampling sites that coincided with flow data modeled by the Delaware Riverine Environmental Flow Decision Support System (REFDSS);
Conducted spatially explicit field surveys to characterize mussel (abundance, size) and environmental data (depth, flow, temperature);
Initiated preliminary spatial analyses aimed at meshing biological information with modeled environmental data;
Developed outreach materials (one-pagers) and participated in a stakeholder outreach seminar entitled: Sustaining Environmental Capital Workshop: Ecosystem Services in Decision Making. Presented Oct. 21st, Washington DC;
Established a Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) with Colorado State University to assist in study design, administration, and technical support;
Initiated design of the household survey and package for approval with the Office of Management and Budget;
Updated REFDSS software architecture to support automatic updates, categorical variables, observation overlays, and integrated delivery of nonstandard data formats;
FY 16 Accomplishments & Deliverables
Conducted experiments to parameterize biofiltration efficiency under varying flows and suspended sediment regimes;
Conducted a literature review on freshwater mussel ecophysiology to compare empirically derived values to published estimates of biofiltration under varying flows and suspended sediment regimes;
Compiled SPARROW model output to characterize nutrient loading (nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment) under multiple land use grow-out scenarios;
Completed spatially explicit field surveys of mussel abundance and environmental data at the other modeled REFDSS sites;
Collaborated with FORT DSS team to development a framework to integrate into the REFDSS if appropriate or develop a new user interface; finalize preliminary Delaware REFDSS application;
Prepared and submit peer-reviewed publications from previous ecosystem service studies.
Designed wireframe model that links REFDSS flow data to biofiltration and nutrient retention at least one site;
Reviewed institutional setting and relevant policies guiding management of the Delaware River Basin;
Spooner participated in a Roundtable on Ecosystem Services in Federal Decision Making in DC, hosted by SESYNC (Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center) and COMPASS; March 9-10 2016.
FY17 Objectives
Integrate finalized freshwater mussel modeling into REFDSS framework;
Submit survey instrument to the Office of Management and Budget for approval;
Test economic survey instrument in focus group setting;
Administer household survey instrument, collect response data, and conduct econometric analysis to estimate economic values;
Develop draft report on the economic valuation of ecosystem services supported by the Upper Delaware Basin;
Submit manuscripts on the biophysical modeling of nutrient sequestration and removal provided by freshwater mussels out for peer review;
Present collaborative project in a special session at the 2016 ACES (A Community on Ecosystem Services) conference in Jacksonville, Florida (Dec. 5-9 2016).