Investigators:
R.E. Sparks, J.B. Braden, A.M. Isserman, D.M. Johnston, D.W. Schneider, and D.C. White
University of Illinois, Champaign, IL

M. Demissie
Illinois State Water Survey, Champaign, IL

Funded by The National Science Foundation Grant # BCS-0003208

Large floodplain river ecosystems support a rich array of aquatic and water-tolerant plants and animals. Their productivity is linked to predictable flood pulses, but current management disrupts these cycles. This project develops a suite of inter-related, dynamic models of hydrology and ecology of a river/floodplain system and of the local economy to which it is relevant. The project focuses on gaps and linkages among the disciplinary models. It also creates visualization tools to effectively communicate the modeling results. The models will be used to simulate, test and communicate with stakeholders about specific restoration strategies related to the general hypothesis: river hydrology and floodplain lands can be managed in ways that restore ecosystem services while not diminishing the overall economic well-being of the affected region.

Approach

This project builds on the interdisciplinary efforts of a team currently engaged in adapting existing disciplinary models to a study area located between the LaGrange and Peoria dams on the Illinois River. This 80 mile section of the Illinois River is a nationally important ecosystem and an ideal laboratory for this research. A hydrology component is calibrating 1-D and 2-D models and testing their modeling of high-frequency flood events and strategic management changes. An ecology component is creating dynamic, hydrology-driven models of floodplain forest and marsh vegetation. Habitat suitability indices and professional judgment will produce estimates of consequent changes in fish and wildlife species mix and population levels. Economic research will estimate changes in regional income and employment and identify whether any sub-county areas are particularly harmed under different management scenarios. These component models will be transferred to the high speed computing and advanced data management environment available through the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. The supercomputing environment will also be employed to develop visualization tools for improving communication of spatially dynamic research findings to stakeholders.

Expected Results

1) Produce an accessible suite of inter-related biophysical models of a complex and dynamic large floodplain river ecosystem. The models will provide a platform for integrating knowledge about these systems, testing their sensitivity to uncertainties, and teaching others about the responses of the system to interventions. 2) Develop and demonstrate new methods for assessing the regional economic consequences of changes in land uses and ecosystem services and allocate the effects to sub-county areas. 3) Provide independent, science-based insights on Illinois river and floodplain management to agencies and stakeholders. 4) Develop and demonstrate visualization tools to improve and focus communication among agencies such as the Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state conservation, floodplain, and water management agencies, and the interested public.

Supplemental Keywords

Sustainable development, Midwest, community-based, agriculture, transportation, behavioral sciences.

Related output:

Kan, Raymond. 2003. Imagining the Futures and Impacts of a Naturalized Emiquon Preserve Using and Extended GIS. Master's project. Champaign, IL: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Urban and Regional Planning. PDF

Nedovic-Budic, Zorica, Doug Johnston, Richard Sparks, David White, and Raymond Kan. 2005. Application of CommunityViz, a New Software Tool to Assess Future Alternatives. Presentation at the conference A Confluence of Interests – Nature and Tourism in River Cities and Rural Areas. Godfrey, Illinois, April 22, 2005. PDF

Sparks, Richard E.,Changwoo Ahn, Misganaw Demissie, Andrew M. Isserman, Douglas M. Johnston, Yanqing Lian, Zorica Nedovic-Budic, and David C. White. Forthcoming. Linking hydrodynamics, conservation biology, and economics in choosing naturalization alternatives for the Illinois River, USA. Archiv fuer Hydrobiologie, special issue on Lowland River Rehabilitation, Large Rivers supplement.