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GLIN==> New Report: Ecological Recovery And Key Challenges
- Subject: GLIN==> New Report: Ecological Recovery And Key Challenges
- From: ELZBLAP <elzblap@umich.edu>
- Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:24:15 -0500
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- Thread-topic: New Report: Ecological Recovery And Key Challenges
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Title: New Report: Ecological Recovery And Key Challenges

MICHIGAN SEA GRANT NEWS -- www.miseagrant.umich.edu
New Report Highlights Significant Ecological Recovery As Well As Key Challenges for the Detroit River and Western Lake Erie
Contacts:
Mary Bohling, (313) 833-3275, bohling@msu.edu
John Hartig, (734-692-7608), John_Hartig@fws.gov
December 4, 2007
DETROIT MICHIGAN. Michigan Sea Grant is pleased to announce the release of the State of the Strait: Status and Trends of Key Indicators Report. Findings of the report show that over the past 35 years, U.S. and Canadian pollution prevention and control programs have resulted in substantial improvements in environmental quality in the Detroit River and western Lake Erie that have led to dramatic ecological recovery. However, there are also signs of deteriorating conditions.
Examples of environmental improvements include: reductions in oil, phosphorus, chloride, and untreated waste from combined sewer overflow discharges; declines in contaminants in fish and wildlife; and substantial progress in the remediation of contaminated sediment. These environmental improvements have resulted in significant ecological recovery in this region, including an increase in the populations of bald eagles, peregrine falcons, lake sturgeon, lake whitefish, walleye, and burrowing mayflies in large areas from which they had been extirpated (locally extinct) or negatively impacted.
“We have some great success stories with significant data to support how far we have come,” commented Don Scavia, Director of Michigan Sea Grant. “Although during the panel discussion, many agreed that there is a need for sustained monitoring and integrated assessment to make informed management decisions to address key challenges, such as population growth and non-point source pollution.”
Nearly 50 organizations and over 75 scientists participated in this three-year effort that compiled long-term trend data on 50 indicators, interpreted the data, translated the science for policy-makers and the public, and helped prepare a comprehensive and integrative assessment of ecosystem health. Six priority research and monitoring needs are identified in the report: demonstrate and quantify cause-effect relationships; establish quantitative endpoints and desired future states; determine cumulative impacts and how indicators relate to each other; improve modeling and prediction; prioritize geographic areas for protection and restoration; and foster long-term monitoring for adaptive management.
The new report highlights the need to continue the comprehensive and integrative assessment of ecosystem health. Recommendations include that resources be compiled at least every five years to undertake comprehensive and integrative assessments through a Canada-U.S. partnership of key management organizations.
Other recommendations include: a higher priority should be placed on quantifying targets for indicators (only 17 of 50 indicators have quantitative targets); future assessments should include more pressure, response, economic, social, and human health indicators; and greater emphasis should be placed on making sure that there is equivalent data coverage on both sides of the border.
Key environmental and natural resource challenges for the Detroit River and Western Lake Erie include: transportation expansion resulting in land use changes and regional population growth; nonpoint source pollution; toxic substances contamination; habitat loss and degradation; introduction of exotic species; and greenhouse gases and global warming.
The State of the Strait: Status and Trends of Key Indicators report is a product of the Canada-U.S. State of the Strait Conference held every two years to bring together government managers, researchers, students, members of environmental and conservation organizations, and concerned citizens to collaboratively assess ecosystem status and provide advice to improve research, monitoring, and management programs for the Detroit River and western Lake Erie.
The State of the Strait conferences began in 2001, with support from Michigan Sea Grant and other partners. Since this time, Jennifer Read, Mark Breederland and Mary Bohling of Michigan Sea Grant have served on the conference committee assisting with the organization of the conferences, as well as the production and/or distribution of the conference reports.
Key sponsors of the new report and the 2006 State of the Strait Conference include: Canadian Consulate; CDM; Detroit Water and Sewerage Department; DTE Energy; Environment Canada; Environmental Management Association; Essex Region Conservation Authority; Friends of the Detroit River; Great Lakes Fishery Trust; International Joint Commission; International Wildlife Refuge Alliance; Metropolitan Affairs Coalition; Michigan Sea Grant; University of Michigan-Dearborn; University of Windsor; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Michigan Sea Grant, a cooperative program of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, promotes sustainability of the Great Lakes. Michigan Sea Grant is part of a network of 30 Sea Grant College Programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (see www.miseagrant.umich.edu).
For more information about the report (State of the Strait: Status and Trends of Key Indicators) see:
http://www.epa.gov/med/grosseile_site/indicators/index.html or
http://www.stateofthestrait.org
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Elizabeth LaPorte
Communication & Education Services | Michigan Sea Grant
University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment
440 Church Street, Dana Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1041
elzblap@umich.edu | 734.647-0767 | http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu
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