Realizing a Triple Win in the Desert: Systems-level Engineering With Nature on the Rio Grande

Authors: David Koran, Kelly Burks-Copes, Sarah Miller, Ondrea Hummel, Alicia AustinJohnson, Christy Foran, Jennifer Wozencraft

Year: 2013 (xlv)

Abstract

Three recently completed system-level studies on the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) used Engineering With Nature (EWN) to achieve sustainable development of water resources in the desert that balanced social, environmental and economic considerations using traditional benefit metrics (i.e., habitat units) to support transparent decision making. The culmination of these studies affords a unique opportunity to base the benefits generated by these three projects to now include measures of ecosystem goods and services (EGS). The project objective are to: (1) Develop a series of ecosystem production functions and a monetization strategy to characterize the EGS produced by the MRG studies, (2) Devise a methodology to integrate these new metrics into the current operation and management paradigm, and (3) Explore adaptive management strategies to maximize return on investment (ROI) based on system goals and objectives. Without meaningful characterization of those unique ecosystem goods and services generated via the effective and efficient operation and management of the system (i.e., recreation, aquifer recharge, aesthetics, constant stream flow, clean water provisioning, recreation, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, etc.) the MRG adaptive management strategy will focus on the habitat rather than the true ROI - the provisioning of human services to the local community. This project offers the development of a new capability: the effective and efficient characterization of EWN with an eye towards maximizing returns on investment through holistic adaptive management. Background information on the restoration features constructed will be discussed. These include high flow channels to potentially benefit the Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus), willow swales to potentially benefit the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax trailii extimus), and other riparian and wetland restoration features.