Department of Fish and Game

Resources

Template

Scientific Evaluation Worksheet
PDF | RTF

Conceptual Models

The scientific evaluation process depends on the Delta conceptual model approach and models to serve as the baseline information source.

Adaptive Management

The scientific evaluation should be used in an adaptive management context.

DRERIP Documents

Archival documents related to DRERIP's process of developing the scientific evaluation:

Scientific Evaluation Guidelines (PDF) (7/12/06)

Assigning the Adaptive Management Category Using the Decision Tree

The end result of the scientific evaluation process is a recommendation to categorize the proposed action as either ready for further research, implementation at a pilot scale, or implementation at a full scale as shown in the figure below.

Decision Tree for Routing Actions (JPG)

Home arrow Water Branch arrow ERP arrow Delta Region arrow Scientific Evaluation

Scientific Evaluation

Overview

Concern about the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem has increased. People have proposed many solutions to restore the Delta and to conserve fish and other species.

Proposed restoration actions may come from a variety of different sources including:

Ecosystem Restoration Program Plan (ERPP)

Delta Risk Management Strategy (DRMS)

Delta Vision

Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP)

To categorize all the proposed restoration actions in light of current scientific knowledge and understanding, the AMPT developed the scientific evaluation process. The purpose of scientific evaluation is to identify intended and unintended outcomes of restoration.

Benefits

The scientific evaluation process is beneficial to managers and decision-makers because it is:

  • Transparent (Fully documented)
  • Logical and Defensible
  • Explicitly identifies state of knowledge
  • Adaptable (applicable to different situations/array of problems)
  • Structured and provides a collaborative alternative to the sometimes solitary expert opinion

Scientific Evaluation Process

The DRERIP Adaptive Management Planning Team (AMPT) has developed and tested a scientific evaluation process to assess the various outcomes of proposed restoration actions in the Delta.

The scientific evaluation process is:

  • Objective and will inform ecosystem planning decisions
  • Based on current scientific understanding
  • Identifies trade-offs among multiple consequences of actions

Evaluation will involve a close examination of proposed actions and targets so that they are not pursued on a de facto basis and so that the scientific rationale for each action is well understood and documented.