The Forsaken Fjord: Science, Society, and Biological Decline in Puget Sound v.1.1

Abstract

The Puget Sound Partnership Action Agenda (2008) proposes four basic questions: 1. What is a healthy Puget Sound (and how do we know if we are moving toward one)? 2. What is the status of Puget Sound and what are the biggest threats to it? 3. What actions should be taken that will move us from where we are today to a healthy Puget Sound by 2020? 4. Where do we start? Casey Rice will identify a science problem: Assessment that does not make the biological effects of human activity the primary emphasis in the study of regional ecosystems. He presents a background of causes of the problem and goals of biological assessment, including a consideration of the basic conceptual framework. He makes the case that Puget Sound is insufficiently understood, monitored, and managed. He reviews the history of environmental change and information and discusses major monitoring, modeling, and restoration efforts. He recommends a scientifically based narrative approach. Specifically: 1. Act. 2. Design and implement strategic science program. 3. Improve conceptual framework. 4. Evaluate the rationale, approach, and effectiveness of current, historical, and proposed efforts. 5. Check assumptions about ecological effects of human activity. 6. Fill in major gaps in Puget Sound ecology.