RAD basin vision | Create sustained ecological integrity and economic uses | |
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Potential RAD reach objective | Upper impounded reach: resist loss of habitat diversity | Unimpounded reach: direct change to floodplain connectivity |
Example resist actions | ||
Communication | Communicate relationship between increased flooding and floodplain habitats (Hein et al. 2023) | Share messaging about the economic impact of river commerce |
Local policy | Reduce runoff and nutrient loading (Hein et al. 2023) | Support agriculture practices. Limit the amount of new impervious surface near tributaries |
Physical modification | Increase bathymetric diversity (Baker et al. 2012). Higher-elevation forest rehabilitation | Reinforce and increase elevation of levees. Conserve/protect forested and riparian areas |
Example accept actions | ||
Communication | Outreach to generate recreation or consumption interest in species better suited for changing climate | Share stories of vulnerabilities in floodplain to build understanding and community |
Local policy | Prohibit construction in the floodplain. Update master planning documents to prepare for more extreme flooding | Prohibit new building and unsustainable agriculture in the floodplain |
Physical modification | Habitat projects designed for species more tolerant to highly variable flood regimes and warming conditions | Community-supported levee setbacks (TNC 2022). Volunteer permanent conservation easements (Morris 2020) |
Example direct actions | ||
Communication | Emphasize watershed-based hydrologic assessment, planning, and restoration | Promote novel recreation (e.g., favoring species adapted to future conditions) |
Local policy | Master planning documents that prioritize flood and drought tolerant species (Hein et al. 2023) | Incentivize flood adapted agriculture. Insurance policies based on future climate projections (Hein et al. 2023) |
Physical modification | Plant flood and drought tolerant species. Alter lateral connectivity (Giblin et al. 2023) | Plant flood, drought, and temperature tolerant species. Facilitate movement of warm tolerant beings/species upstream |