Application of Ecological Theory to Determine Recovery Potential of DisturbedLotic Ecosystems: Research Needs and Priorities

摘要

The article summarizes the views of aquatic scientists who gathered to assess theability of stream ecosystem theory to predict recovery from disturbance. Two views of disturbance were evident: a discrete removal of organisms vs an unusual deviation from normal. These were perceived as applying to different scales and/or objectives. Long-term information is required from both points of view to define recovery. Recovery also may be defined in different ways, but it is clear that recovery has both spatial and temporal components, and includes both physical and biological processes. There was strong consensus that a national monitoring system of representative lotic ecosystems within ecological regions be established. The purpose of the monitoring system would be to acquire long-term data on natural variability, to establish viable indicators of spatial and temporal aspects of recovery, and to develop and test emerging theoretical developments.