Featured
Research Project
A Collaborative Approach to Understanding the Dynamics of the Muskegon Watershed: A Comprehensive Model, Risk Assessment and Tools for Use in Management Bryan C. Pijanowski, Michigan State University; John Koches, Grand Valley State University; Paul. W. Seelbach, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division Project Overview Watershed management programs across Michigan
suffer from the lack of an integrated analysis grounded in meaningful collaborations
among governmental agencies, academic institutions, and local stakeholders.
On the Muskegon, as elsewhere, there currently is no effort underway that
will provide a process for the holistic integration of all that is currently
known about the watershed from the head waters to the river's outlet to
Lake Michigan.
Approach We are combining the considerable wealth of data, experience and tools that already exist in Michigan through ongoing efforts at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Grand Valley State University and their partners in state government (MDEQ, MDNR) to assess current status and future risks facing the Muskegon River Watershed. This collaborative research effort is unique in it's scale of collaboration and draws upon the diverse talents in many different organizations. Expected Outcomes Specific outcomes that we anticipate are: (1) a new integrated set of models that can serve as the basis for discussion, hypothesis testing and further research development; (2) a formal risk assessment that examines the relative severity of important problems facing the watershed such as urban sprawl, sedimentation and impoundment; (3) a linkage of process-based models to ecological services assessment, and (4) a number of internet-based tools and model products. We believe that these outcomes will be relevant to all citizens of the watershed and help to advance the science necessary for integrated assessment of watersheds and Ecosystem Management. SNRE Staff and Student Researchers Mike Wiley, Paul Seelbach, Paul Richards, Catherine Riseng, Mike Moore, Ed Rutherford, Martha Carlson, Kevin Cronk, Beth Sparks-Jackson, Matt Baker, Steve Hensler, Sara Creque Other SNRE Projects Associated with the Muskegon River Initiative Ecological Assessment and Monitoring Program Development: [GLFT/MSU] Mike Wiley, Catherine Riseng, & Institutional Framework for Watershed Policy and Management [Wege Foundation/Ferris State] Terry Brown, Julia Wondolleck, Donna Erickson Salmonine Recruitment dynamics in the lower Muskegon: [GLFT/UM] Ed Rutherford Perch Recruitment dynamics in the Lower Muskegon: [GLFT/UM] David Jude Riparian ecosystem classification and dynamics: [MDNR/UM] Mike Wiley, Matt Bake, Paul Seelbach
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