Estimating ecological integrity in the interior Columbia River basin

The adoption of ecosystem-based management strategies focuses attention on the need for broad scale estimates of ecological conditions; this poses two challenges for the science community: estimating broad scale ecosystem con ditions from highly disparate data, often observed at different spatial sca les, and interpreting these conditions relative to goals such as sustainabi lity. The Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project (ICBEMP), es timated relative composite ecological integrity by clustering conditions am ong proxy variables representing three component integrity ratings (forestl and, rangeland, and aquatic integrity). Composite ecological integrity prov ides an estimate of relative system condition within the interior Columbia River basin assessment area that is responsive to changes in broad scale la nd management practices. Broad-scale measures can be used to assess progres s toward land management goals or as an aide for managers in selecting or p rioritizing areas (watersheds) for treatment. Currently, federal land manag ers are using estimates of current composite ecological integrity and trend s in ecological integrity to prioritize management activities and understan d effects of management actions. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.