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Air, Water and Aquatics Science
The
Air, Water and Aquatics Science Program
is committed to the development
of knowledge and science applications related to air and water
quality, as well as the habitat quality, distribution, diversity, and persistence
of fish and other aquatic species.
Air quality, water availability, water quality, and aquatic habitats are
critical issues within the rapidly changing Western United States. Air,
water, and aquatic resources are essential to society, as a life support and
as an economic mainstay for individuals, communities, local and state
governments. Forest and rangeland land management, coupled with
human expansion has a significant influence on the quality and quantity
of these resources. A long history of overgrazing by livestock, timber
harvest, fire suppression, mining operations, recreational activities, road
construction in valley and canyon bottoms and hill slopes, and dams and
water diversions is impacting entire watersheds. Increasing dependence
upon watersheds for off-site domestic water supplies, irrigation, and
recreation has added complexity to the challenges faced by watershed
managers. Natural disturbances, such as climate change and uncharacteristic
fires and weather patterns are rapidly changing known patterns
outdating current air, water, and aquatic management understanding
and monitoring. Research is needed to understand natural processes, and
how human management and other interventions impact these critical
resources.
The RMRS
Air, Water and Aquatics Science Program
objectives are
aligned with our National Forest Strategic Plan and National Research
and Development Strategic Program Areas:
- Ecosystem Processes—
Providing basic and applied science to understand how ecosystem
processes and management actions influence forest and rangeland air
quality, water quality and quantity, and aquatic habitats.
-
Air and
fire Interactions— Providing basic and applied science to understand
wildland fire behavior, danger, smoke and weather to reduce risk to lives,
property, and natural resources.
-
Climate Variability and Extreme
Events— Providing science to understand how air and water pollution,
climate variability and change, and chronic and extreme events impact
aquatic, forest and rangeland sustainability and the benefits they provide
to society.
-
Tools Development— Developing and providing the tools
necessary to manage forest and rangelands in ways to protect watersheds,
minimize negative impacts of wildland fire on air quality, protect
people, resources and structures from fire, improve watershed habitat
quality and protect biodiversity.
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