INTERIOR COLUMBIA BASIN ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROJECT

Findings of the Scientific Assessment

Overall Findings

*Some forest types are susceptible to severe fires due to accumulation of woody biomass.
*Forests with large, old trees have declined largely due to commercial harvest.
*Aquatic biodiversity has declined. There are increased threats to riparian-associated species.
*Watershed disturbances (natural or human induced) cause risks to ecological integrity.
*Rangeland health and diversity have declined due to exotic species and increasing juniper and conifer encroachment.

Landscape Conditions

*In the last 100 years there have been increases in fire suppression costs, hazards, and fire severity.

*In the last 100 years there have been decreases in native grasslands, shrublands, large residual trees, large snags and old forests due to human uses of land and resources.

*Greatest change in landscape conditions has occurred in areas associated with agriculture, human residences, roading, intensive logging and excessive livestock grazing.

*Changed vegetation patterns have increased susceptibility to severe fire and insect and disease disturbances of forests.

*Recent levels of management are unlikely to reverse undesired trends in landscape patterns and watershed conditions. Reversal will require a combined conservation and restoration strategy.

Terrestrial Ecosystems

*Species that show declining trends are those associated with old forest structures, and shrublands, and grasslands.

*Habitat degradation is more pronounced in lower elevation watersheds due to human influences that have altered disturbance and hydrologic regimes.

*Habitat remnants and ecological processes remain for rebuilding and maintaining functional terrestrial ecosystems.

*Centers of biodiversity and hot spots of rare, native species are identified.

*Some threatened or endangered species are dependent on habitat components not evaluated at the Basin level; they can only be addressed through site and watershed analysis.

*Exotic plants (noxious weeds) are a significant threat to rangelands.

Aquatic Ecosystems

*Key salmonid species have experienced declines in habitat and abundance. These species are especially vulnerable at certain stages of their life cycle.

*Anadromous species have declined the most. Even if habitat stabilizes, fragmentation, isolation, and non-habitat threats put remaining populations at risk.

*Habitat degradation is greatest in lower watersheds.

*Core remnants and ecological processes remain for rebuilding and maintaining functioning systems.

Social Conditions

*Overall scenic quality is high.

*Communities located in moist climates have higher resiliency. Conversely, communities in drier climates have fewer economic options and are less resilient.

*Ecosystem management requires strong cooperation among local governments and agencies.

*People interpret ecosystem management differently, the concepts are still evolving.

Economic Conditions

*Regional economies are experiencing growth, especially metropolitan and recreation counties.

*Regional economies are diverse and have high resiliency. At the county level, economic resiliency varies. Over half of the counties have low resiliency.

*Recreation on federal lands is highly valued.

*On National Forest System and BLM lands, timber, grazing, and recreation uses are important to local and regional economies.