THE FUTURE OF HABITAT MODELING AND INSTREAM FLOW ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES

This paper examines emerging trends in applied instream flow assessmen t methods within the context of an ecologically based assessment frame work, in light of the challenges imposed by the spatial and temporal d omains of aquatic ecosystems. Ii will attempt to highlight what I cons ider to be the more promising technologies, modeling techniques and an alysis approaches that represent workable tools to meet the needs of p ractical, applied instream flow assessments. To this end, I will touch on measurement techniques and technologies used to characterize the s patial domain of river systems, analysis tools for characterization of the hydrodynamic elements of rivers in both the spatial and temporal domains, and finally tools and approaches which integrate the biologic al elements at the individual, population and community levels. Much o f my view of the future of habitat modeling remains an abstraction, in that integration of all the pieces has yet to be accomplished, field validation remains unproven, availability of an integrated analysis fr amework (i.e. computer software system) is not yet available, and a cl ear framework for selection and application of specific tools has not been developed. However, in presenting this particular view of the fut ure, I hope to stimulate a broader collaborative effort between biolog ists, engineers and resource managers that continues to move the state -of-the-art forward. This effort should not consider the plurality of methods or analytical procedures as competing approaches, but rather a s representing a tool-rich environment upon which researchers and prac titioners can draw to provide scientifically based quantifications in support of management decisions which must protect and enhance our aqu atic ecosystems. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.