State of the science workshop explores Puget Sound floodplains
Scientists recognize the importance of floodplains to both humans and the ecosystem. The USGS estimates that valley bottom areas cover about 5% of the Puget Sound basin, but are the site of 30% of highly developed urban areas and 70% of cultivated land. Healthy floodplains are also a key ingredient for salmon health. Studies show that they promote faster salmon growth, and increased productivity, among other benefits.
Scientists recognize the importance of floodplains to both humans and the ecosystem. The USGS estimates that valley bottom areas cover about 5% of the Puget Sound basin, but are the site of 30% of highly developed urban areas and 70% of cultivated land. Healthy floodplains are also a key ingredient for salmon health. Studies show that they promote faster salmon growth, and increased productivity, among other benefits.
Balancing these sometimes competing needs was the subject of a workshop yesterday at the Center for Urban Waters in Tacoma. The event focused on the science of floodplains in the region, and was organized by the Puget Sound Partnership, the University of Washington Puget Sound Institute and the Puget Sound Science Panel.
Participants discussed floodplains from the perspectives of both the biophysical and social sciences, and emphasized the need to determine scientific thresholds for identifying degraded or functional floodplains. The Puget Sound Partnership hopes to use these thresholds to measure its goal of restoring 15% of Puget Sound floodplains with no net loss by 2020.
Download the workshop documents below:
Agenda
Presentations
- Beechie_Pess_Konrad_Floodplains SOS Panel_2013-06-06.pdf
- Breslow_Floodplains SOS Panel_2013-06-06.pdf
- Buckley_Floodplains SOS Panel_2013-06-06.pdf
- Carlton_Floodplains SOS Panel_2013-06-06.pdf
- Cooper_Floodplains SOS Panel 2013-06-06.pdf
- Hunger_Floodplains SOS Panel 2013-06-06.pdf
- Reinelt_Floodplain SOS Panel_2013-06-06.pdf
- White_Floodplains SOS Panel_2013-06-06.pdf
References and bibliography
- 03a_ECB_Floodplain_Report_Background.pdf
- Earth Economics (2007) - Ecological_Economics_Assessmen...nagement_Plan.pdf
- ECOLOGICAL ISSUES IN FLOODPLAINS AND RIPARIAN CORRIDORS.pdf
- Floodplain_Management_Report Judge Final-July 2010-1.pdf
- Liao (2012) Ecology and Society - A theory on urban resilia...nning practices.pdf
- PSI-PSP Floodplain Panel Bibliography.docx
- Using Nature To Reduce Risks - TNC Brochure.pdf
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