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2017 Conference

June 21–24, 2017

Tuscon, AZ

AESS 2017 Draft Conference Session Schedule

A Combined Ecological-Societal Systems Model for the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve area

Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 2:00 PM–3:30 PM MDT
ENR2 S 210
Abstract

Environmental management for an area requires an understanding of the range of potential issues of concern originating from both anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic sources plus their evaluation, for which our available methods are limited. In particular, the need to effectively combine both scientific and social information and the need to utilize a process that can perform a fully integrated environmental assessment are two ongoing challenges. The Integrated Assessment and Ecosystem Management Protocol (IAEMP) is one such tool for performing a fully integrated environmental assessment, and when based up Combined Ecological-Societal Systems Modeling (CESSM) provides an explicit coupling of scientific and social inputs for the assessment and management process. To assist with identifying environmental risk management issues at Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (MANERR) near Corpus Christi, Texas, a CESSM modeling exercise was performed involving several days of matrix assembly followed by building and narrowing the resulting models using fuzzy logic methods. Twenty CESSM habitat models were developed plus one model for landscape-scale effects, which were analyzed for the influence of both anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic Drivers sorted by type of predominant Stressor impact (biological, chemical, etc.). Results from the narrowing process indicate that impacts on Valued Ecosystem Components and Services are strongest in the aquatic or near-aquatic habitats of MANERR, and that Feedbacks from these impacts are strongest on Anthropogenic Drivers. More importantly, the models also indicate a number of habitats with high-intensity pathways originating from both ecological and social Drivers that could be prioritized for more immediate management planning using the IAEMP or similar integrated management tool.

Primary Contact

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Michael A. Reiter, PhD, Bethune-Cookman University

Presenters

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Michael A. Reiter, PhD, Bethune-Cookman University
Title of paper

A Combined Ecological-Societal Systems Model for the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve Area

Co-Authors

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Mark A Harwell, Harwell Gentile & Associates
Title of paper

A Combined Ecological-Societal Systems Model for the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve Area

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John H Gentile, Harwell Gentile & Associates
Title of paper

A Combined Ecological-Societal Systems Model for the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve Area

Chair, Facilitator, Or Moderators

Discussants

Workshop Leaders

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