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Hill Briefing
ECOSYSTEM RESEARCHERS HOLD CAPITOL HILL BRIEFING
What: Congressional briefing "Using Science to Balance Society's Needs for Water, Agriculture, and Ecosystems" When: Thursday, October 14, 2010, 9:30 - 10:30 AM
****Presentations may be accessed by clicking on the links below. Information from these
presentations should only be used with proper citation to the authors and images from the presentations should only be used with permission of the authors.
****
Welcome, Dr. Lucinda Johnson , Moderator, AERC President, Welcome and Introduction
Dr. Mark R. Walbridge, USDA, Agricultural Research Society - Water and Agriculture - Sustainable Production Systems that Protect andEnhance our Environment Dr. Cliff Dahm, Delta Stewardship Council and University of New Mexico - Trying to Balance Water for Food Production, Cities, and theEnvironment in the California Delta Dr. Carol Couch, University of Georgia - Policies for Managing Urban and Agricultural Water Use Conflicts under Regulated Riparian LegalSystems Mr.. Paul Faeth, Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) - Role of Water in National Security Policies
Dr. Cliff Dahm Mr. Paul Faeth
2010AERC
Symposium
Using Science to Balance Society's Needs for Water, Agriculture, and Ecosystems
Location: Smithsonian's National Museum of the American IndianThursday, October 14, 2010, 12:30 - 4:30 pm
******Presentations, when available, may be accessed by clicking on the links below.
Information from these presentations should be used only with proper citation to the authors and images from the presentations
should be used only with permission of the authors.******
12:25 - 12:30Dr. Lucinda Johnson, President AERC, Welcome and introduction
12:35 - 1:20Dr. Mark R. Walbridge (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service): “Water andAgriculture - Sustainable Production Systems that Protect and Enhance our Environment”
1:20 - 2:05 Dr. Cliff Dahm (Delta Stewardship Council and University of New Mexico): “Trying to Balance Water forFood Production, Cities, and the Environment in the California Delta”
2:05 - 2:50 Dr. Carol Couch (University of Georgia): “Policies for Managing Urban and Agricultural Water Use Conflictsunder Regulated Riparian Legal Systems”
2:50 - 3:35 Mr. Paul Faeth (Center for Naval Analyses [CNA]): “Role of Water in National Security Policies”
3:35 - 4:30 Funding Opportunities
NSF - Alan Tessier "Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Research in Sustainable Freshwater Systems"USDA - Michael O'Neill "Funding Opportunities for Water Research, Education, and ExtensionPrograms"EPA - Anne Sergeant "EPA Support for Ecological Research"
Lucinda B. JohnsonNatural Resources Research Institute
University of Minnesota Duluth
Association of Ecosystem Research Center (AERC)American Institutes of Biological Sciences (AIBS)
Ecological problems confronting our society are large and the means of addressing them are not limitless. AERC seeks new ways to pool scientific resources and undertake a comprehensive integration of current knowledge. We conduct activities to promote coordination, communication, and collaboration of ecosystem studies centers.
Symposium at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian◦
Buffet Luncheon: 11:30 am ‐
12:15 pm
◦
Symposium: 12:30 – 4:45 pm◦
Reception: 4:45 – 6:30 pm
97% of our earth is covered with water; 3% is freshwater. It is unevenly distributed across the earth relative to human populations.
•
Inadequate access to safe drinking water. Over 1 billion people lack sufficient water for drinking
•
Inadequate access to water for sanitation and waste disposal
•
Groundwater overdrafting (excessive use) lead to reduced crop yields
•
Overuse and pollution of water resources harm biodiversity
•
Regional conflicts over scarce water resources sometimes result in warfare
Nature: http://www.nature.com/nature/focus/water/map.html
Nature http://www.nature.com/nature/focus/water/disease_map.html
Vőrősmarty, et al. 2010. Nature.
Incident human watersecurity threat
Vőrősmarty, et al. 2010. Nature.
Incident human watersecurity threat
Dr. Mark R. Walbridge, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service ◦
Water and agriculture –
sustainable production
systems that protect and enhance our environmentDr. Cliff Dahm, Delta Stewardship Council and University of New Mexico◦
Trying to balance water for food production, cities, and the environment in the California Delta
Dr. Carol Couch, University of Georgia◦
Policies for managing urban and agricultural water use conflicts under regulated riparian legal systems
Mr. Paul Faeth, CNA, Incorporated◦
Role of water in national security policies
Presentations available at: http://www.ecosystemresearch.org/2010%20
Meeting/symposium.htm
Water and AgricultureWater and Agriculture Sustainable Production Systems That Sustainable Production Systems That
Protect and Enhance Our EnvironmentProtect and Enhance Our Environment
Dr. Mark R. WalbridgeDr. Mark R. WalbridgeNational Program Leader National Program Leader
Water Availability and Watershed ManagementWater Availability and Watershed ManagementUSDA/Agricultural Research ServiceUSDA/Agricultural Research Service
Beltsville, MDBeltsville, MD
Total US Water Withdrawals ‐
2005
Public Supply–11%(up 2% vs. 2000; 13 % of freshwater
withdrawals; 86%
of population)
Irrigation–31%(down 8% vs.
2000; 37% of
freshwater
withdrawals)
Aquaculture–2%(up 4‐fold vs.
2000)
Mining–1%
Domestic–1%
Livestock–<1%
Industrial–4%
(down 11% vs.
2000; 58% of
freshwater
withdrawals)
Thermoelectric–
49% ( up 3% vs.
2000; 41% of
freshwater
withdrawals
Total U.S. Water Withdrawals ‐
2005
Agriculture is the largest consumptive user of water in the U.S.
Population Growth, Agricultural Population Growth, Agricultural Production, and Water AvailabilityProduction, and Water Availability
Projected trends in population growth require us Projected trends in population growth require us to maintain or enhance agricultural production to maintain or enhance agricultural production in the US and elsewhere, but the availability of in the US and elsewhere, but the availability of fresh water for all uses continues to decline due fresh water for all uses continues to decline due to:to:
1.1.
Increased competition from other uses;Increased competition from other uses;
2.2.
Decreased availability due to climate change;Decreased availability due to climate change;
3.3.
Contamination of existing groundwater Contamination of existing groundwater supplies;supplies;
4.4.
Depletion of key groundwater reserves.Depletion of key groundwater reserves.
Water availability is decreasing in all major irrigated areas—Maintaining or augmenting agricultural production
will require technologies that stretch the water budget for
agriculture.
Irrigated agriculture produces 40% of the global food supply on just 18% of the cropped area.
Increasing Irrigation Efficiency Alternative Agricultural Systems For Regions
Where Current Practices Are
Unsustainable
Computer‐controlled center pivot irrigation
systems can be connected by modem to radios
or telephones so farmers can run them remotely.
In the High Plains region, dry land cotton is a
sustainable alternative to irrigated corn.
In Duplin County, NC, this full‐scale wastewater‐treatment system provided treated swine
wastewater for drip‐irrigation.
Using Alternative Water Supplies (e.g., wastewaters) to irrigate
crops
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
1895 1905 1915 1925 1935 1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005
Predicting Changes In Water Availability Linked To Climate FluctuationsAnnual Precipitation & Persistent Variations‐Central OK (1895‐2009)
Precipitation [in
/yr]
Annual precipitation
5‐yr weighted average
Preliminary data, subject to revision
Below average
Above average
USDA-ARS-GRL
Mean annual precipitation34.5 [in]
Drainage Water Management on Agricultural Cropland…•Reduces runoff of nutrients to streams and rivers•Reduces pesticides losses•Wetlands and conservation buffers more efficient•Improves weed and invasive species management •Improves fish and wildlife habitat
Avg. annual nitrogen yield
Mississippi Riverof streams for 1980-1996 Drainage Basin
Source:
USGS
Hypoxic Zone
Drainage OutletControl
Technologies and Decision Support Tools To Improve Agricultural Water Quality
Watershed‐scale Management Strategies To Accomplish These Goals, While Maintaining
or Enhancing the Production of Valuable Ecosystem Goods and Services.
Challenges For the FutureChallenges For the Future
1.1.
Global Population IncreaseGlobal Population Increase•• drives the need to increase production.drives the need to increase production.
2.2.
Climate ChangeClimate Change•• affects our ability to produce food.affects our ability to produce food.
3.3.
Global Energy DemandGlobal Energy Demand•• influences water availability and climate change.influences water availability and climate change.
4.4.
Ecosystem ServicesEcosystem Services•• sustaining our natural resource base and environmentsustaining our natural resource base and environment
Trying to Balance Water for Food Trying to Balance Water for Food Production, Cities, and the Production, Cities, and the
Environment in the California DeltaEnvironment in the California DeltaCliff DahmLead ScientistDelta Science ProgramDelta Stewardship Council
Main Points From Today’s Talk
1. Aquatic ecosystems of the California Delta are in peril
2. Multiple stressors – in combination
3. The time to act is now The Next Season – Barbara Coleman
SacramentoSacramento--San Joaquin DeltaSan Joaquin Delta
Heart of the CaliforniaWater Supply System
Delta Smelt
0.0
0.3
0.6
0.9
1.2
1.5
1.8
66 69 72 75 78 81 84 87 90 93 96 99 02 05 08
(Tho
usan
ds)
Abu
ndan
ce In
dex
Longfin Smelt
02468
101214161820
66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10
(Tho
usan
ds)
Abu
ndan
ce In
dex
Striped Bass
0
5
10
15
20
66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10
(Tho
usan
ds)
Abu
ndan
ce In
dex
Threadfin Shad
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10
(Tho
usan
ds)
Abu
ndan
ce In
dex
Long-term Monitoring Shows Fish Declines
Source DFG 2008 Fall MW Trawl - No indices in 1974, 1976 and 1979
2009Lowest
2009Lowest
Listed since 1993
Listed since 2010
Multiple Stressors…
FISH ABUNDANCE
PHYSICAL &
CHEMICAL FISH
HABITATPrior Fish Abundance
TOP-DOWN
BOTTOM-UP
WaterDiversions
Predation
Food availability Food quality
Temperature Turbidity SalinityContaminantsDisease
Toxic algae
NutrientsAquatic Weeds
in Combination!
Flows
LotsHigh
Constant, lowHigh
LimitedWarmLow
Invasives dominateEdge & benthic fish, jellyfishClams, small zooplanktonMicrocystis, aquatic weeds
LittleLow
Highly variableLowLotsCoolHigh
Natives dominatePelagic fishLarge copepods, mysidsDiatoms
Natives dominateOpen water fishLarge zooplanktonDiatoms
Ammonium Contaminants
Outflow“Harvest”
PhosphorusTemperature
Turbidity
Changes in EnvironmentLead to Changes in OrganismsThen Now
“…the most invaded aquatic ecosystem in the world.”
(Cohen & Carlton, Science 1998)
~4 new species/year
Ecosystem Winners:Non-Native & Nuisance Species
Delta smelt Longfin smelt
Salmon
Listed since 1993
Listed since 2009
Listed since 1989(+)
Green Sturgeon
Listed since 2006
Ecosystem Losers:Native Species, Unique Natural Heritage
Jared Diamond, 2005Collapse - How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed“People often ask, “What is the single most important environmental problem facing the world today?”
The single most important problem is our misguided focus on identifying the single most important problem!
… because any of the dozen problems, if unsolved, would do us great harm and because they all interact with each other.
We have to solve them all.”We know enough to act now!
Science Informing SolutionsFocus on Multiple Drivers of Change
Policies for Managing Urban and Agricultural Water Use
Conflicts Under Regulated Riparian Systems
October 14, 2010 AERC Briefing
Carol A. Couch
College of Environment and Design
University of Georgia
Riparian Legal Systems
• Riparianism is dominant
where water resources
have been historically
abundant
• Basis of water law in 18
states; focus of this
presentation are states in
the Atlantic Gulf Coast
Water Resource Region (NC,
SC, GA, FL, AL)
• Addresses the ideal of
sharing an abundant
resource
• Regulated riparian
provisions vary among
states and developed
incrementally in response
to varying conflict
ATLANTIC GULF COAST AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS AND DIVERSITY ARE SIGNIFICANT
Critical Watersheds for ConservingAquatic Biodiversity
Source:
Precious Heritage
(2000) © TNC, NatureServe
WATER RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT FOR BOTH URBAN AND
AGUSES ARE MORE
FREQUENTLY IN CONFLICT WITH
SPECIES,WETLAND,AND COASTAL
PROTECTION
POPULATION GROWTH ACCELERATES NEED FOR SUPPLY PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE
SOUTHEASTERN AG IRRIGATION USE LOCATED DOWNSTREAM OF URBAN PIEDMONT MEGAREGION
CLIMATE CHANGE WILL ALTER PATTERNS OF AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTION AND HUMAN SETTLEMENT
PROJECTED CHANGE IN MEDIAN RUNOFF
CURRENT TOPICS OF WATER LAW POLICY REFORM
• STATE‐WIDE WATER RESOURCE PLANNING– GA IN PROGRESS; SC, NC, AL IN DISCUSSION
• WATER WITHDRAWAL REGULATION– SC ADOPTED IN 2010; NC IN DISCUSSION
• WATER CONSERVATION– NEW POLICIES IN GA
• INSTREAM FLOW • INTERSTATE DROUGHT MANAGEMENT
– NOAA NIDIS PILOT IN ACF BASIN (GA, AL, FL)• PRIORITY USE UNDER SCARCITY• INTERBASIN TRANSFER
NEEDS FOR SCIENCE‐BASED WATER LAW POLICY REFORM
• INSTREAM FLOW FOR HABITAT AND SPECIES
• PROJECTIONS OF NET URBAN AND AGRICULTURAL DEMANDS FOR SHARED
RESOURCES
• WATERSHED AND AQUIFER MODELS TO ASSESS SUSTAINABLE YIELDS AND
CONSUMPTIVE DEMANDS UNDER VARYING CLIMATE AND USE SCENARIOS
Water and U.S. National Security PoliciesPaul Faeth, CNA
Source: Webber, 2008.
Source: NRDC, 2010
Source: Levy et al., 2005. CIESIN
There is a highly significant correlation between rainfall deviations and high-intensity internal conflicts.
1/3 of the world’s population live in basins that have to deal with water scarcity Could be 2/3 by 2025.
Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Research in Sustainable
Freshwater Systems
Alan J. TessierNational Science Foundation
14 October 2010
Training : IGERT (graduate training)
Research Standing Programs (BIO, GEO, ENG, SBE)
Research and Synthesis Centers (NCEAS, Environ. Synthesis)
Initiatives (CDI, SEES)
NetworkingWorkshops Research Coordination Networks
Selected NSF funding programs that fosterinterdisciplinary collaborations in sustainable
ecosystems
Water Sustainability and Climate (WSC) (NSF 10-524)
Ocean Acidification (OA) (NSF 10-530)
Climate Change Education Partnership (CCEP) (NSF 10-542)
Decadal and Regional Climate Prediction Using Earth System Models (NSF 10-554)
Dimensions of Biodiversity (NSF 10-548)
Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems (NSF 10-612)
Research Coordination Networks (NSF 10-566)
Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability (SEES).
SEES will address challenges in climate and energy research and education using a systemic approach to understanding, predicting, and reacting to change in the linked natural, social, and built environment
The goal of the Water Sustainability and Climate (WSC) solicitation is to understand and predict the interactions between the water system and climate change, land use, the built environment, and ecosystem function and services through place-based research and integrative models.
WSC-Category 2: Climate Change, Shifting Land Use, and Urbanization in a Midwestern Agricultural Landscape: Challenges for Water Quality and Quantity
Christopher Kucharik, University of Wisconsin-Madison
This proposal asks:
“How will ecosystem services vary and how can they be sustained in regional watersheds as climate, land use and land cover, the built environment and human demands change? “
WSC-Category 2: Extreme events impacts on water quality in the Great Lakes:
Anne Michalak, University of Michigan
This proposal asks:
"What are the possible effects of climate-changed-induced extreme events on water quality and ecology in the Great Lakes system, and what management strategies will be effective in addressing these changes?"
Dimensions of BiodiversityProgram Solicitation NSF 10-548
The Dimensions of Biodiversity initiative seeks to characterize biodiversity on Earth by using integrative, innovative approaches to fill rapidly the most substantial gaps in our understanding of the diversity of life on Earth.
This solicitation takes a broad view of biodiversity, but focuses on the integration of genetic, taxonomic, and functional dimensions of biodiversity.
Dimensions: Collaborative Research: Can Evolutionary History Predict How Changes in Biodiversity Impact the Productivity of Ecosystems?
Brad Cardinale, University of Michigan
This project:
“ bridges the fields of ecology, phylogenetics, and genomics to examine how one of the most widespread and ecologically important groups of algae impacts the productivity of lakes throughout North America.”
Dynamics of Coupled Natural AND Human SystemsYou can only ignore one word in the title!
This project asks:
How will climate change, together with changing market and policy environments, affect land use patterns at various scales in the central U.S.? How will this change the geography of agricultural production?
Will climate change expand or diminish the agricultural production and ecosystem service generation capacities of mesoscale watershedsrepresentative of Farm Resource Regions?
CNH: Climate Change, Hydrology, and Landscapes of America’s Heartland: A Multi-scale Natural-Human System
Christopher Lant, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Support groups of investigators to communicate and coordinate efforts across disciplinary, organizational, institutional and geographical boundaries.
facilitate open communication and exchange of information and resources
integrate research and/or education activities of scientists working independently on topics of common interest
nurture a sense of community among young scientists
minimize isolation and maximize cooperation so as to eliminate unnecessary duplication of efforts.
Research Coordination Networks
This network of natural scientists, social scientists and legal scholars seeks to facilitate interdisciplinary, inter-institutional, and international research on the Colorado River Delta of the U.S. and Mexico. We focus on how natural and human-caused variation in water supply affects the biotas and landscapes of the Colorado River Delta in the United States and Mexico. Participants are from academic institutions, government agencies and NGOs in both countries.
Colorado River Delta Research Coordination Network
RCN: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Training Network
Face to faceFostering personal contacts
Finding common ground and language Defining shared interestsFocused questionsEstablishing boundaries (geographic, conceptual)
Building bridgesTravel grants for extended inter-lab exchangesIntegrating activities at meetings
Creating focused task groupsBuild a network of collaborations
Establishing trustSynthesis activities that accomplish more than any one person could have achieved.
Five RCN elements to bridge disciplines and foster collaboration
The RCN Program is expanding
~50 active RCN awards spanning BIO, GEO, SBE
RCN-Undergraduate Biology Education -A joint BIO-EHR program
RCN- Interface of Physical and Life Sciences – A joint BIO-MPS program
RCN solicitation newly revised – includes directorates of BIO, GEO, SBE, MPS, OCI and CISE
Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems Program accepts RCN proposals
RCN solicitation will be expanded to encourage networks on sustainability science
Research Coordination Networks (RCN)Program Solicitation NSF 10-566
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Funding Opportunities for WaterResearch, Education, and Extension Programs
Program Areas and Investment: FY 2010
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
$262 million
Specialty Crops Research Initiative
$50 million
Small Business Innovation Research
$22 million
Program Areas and Investment: FY 2010
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
$14.5 million
Integrated Research, Education, and Extension (Section 406)
$41 million
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
• Basic and applied research• Extension• Education• Integrated research, education, and extension• Biological, Physical, and Social Sciences• Single Discipline and Trans-disciplinary• Single Investigator and Teams
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
FY 2010 Challenge Areas
• Childhood Obesity Prevention: $25 M Climate Change: $55 M Global Food Security: $15 M Food Safety: $20 M Sustainable Bioenergy: $40 M
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
Foundational Programs: $65 M
• Plant Health and Production and Plant Products• Animal Health and Production and Animal Products• Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and
Environment ($9 M)• Agriculture Systems and Technology• Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
NIFA Fellowships Program: $6 M
1. Offering individual fellowships for pre- and post-doctoral scholars – NIFA Fellows
2. Supporting the next generation of agricultural scientists
Specialty Crops Research Initiative
• Support for research and extension that takes a systems-based, trans-disciplinary approach to addressing critical U.S. specialty crop issues, priorities and problems
Small Business Innovation Research
Research for the development of a profit-making technology, product, or service
12 topic areas including:•Forests & Related Resources•Soil and Water Resources
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
• SARE works to increase knowledge about - and help farmers and ranchers adopt - practices that are profitable, environmentally sound, and good for communities.
• Projects address crop and livestock production and marketing, stewardship of soil, water and other natural resources, economics and quality of life.
Section 406 Integrated Research, Education and Extension
National Integrated Water Quality Program (NIWQP)• $12 M - Three Project Types:
– Multi-Regional– Regional Network– Watershed Scale
• Projects involve integration of research, education, and extension
• Multi-disciplinary focus: biophysical, social, economic, and behavioral sciences
• Rural, agricultural, and urbanizing watersheds
NIFA Website: www.nifa.usda.gov
Mike O’Neill, National Program LeaderUSDA National Institute of Food and AgricultureInstitute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment(202) [email protected]
Anne Sergeant, U.S. EPA
Association of Ecosystem Research Centers Meeting
14 October 2010
EPA Support for Ecological Research
EPA’s Mission
… to protect human health and safeguard the natural environment - air, water, land -upon which life depends
Ecosystem Services Research Program
• Develop the methods and tools to determine: Quantity and quality of ecosystem
services How they are affected by stressors How to optimize desired services Links to economics and human
health
EPA’s Ecological Research –recent opportunities
• 2008 RfA: Forecasting Ecosystem Services from Wetland Condition Analyses
• 2009 RfA: Enhancing Ecosystem Services from Agricultural Lands (joint with USDA/CSREES)
Other Ecological Research
• EcoHAB (water quality)• CNS (sustainability)• Global Eco (global climate change)• Sustainable Chesapeake (Centers) Open NOW
Extramural Research• NCER – STAR:
GrantsCooperative agreementsGraduate and undergraduate
fellowships - see http://epa.gov/ncer/fellow/
• Laboratories:Grants and Coops
