Five Elements for Effective Evaluation of Stream Restoration

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-100x.1995.tb00086.x
• Publication Date: 2006-04-07T23:46:40Z
• Authors: G. Mathias Kondolf
• Keywords: Stream Restoration; Baseline (sea); environmental restoration

Abstract River and stream restoration projects are increasingly numerous but rarely subjected to systematic post‐project evaluation. The few such evaluation studies conducted have indicated a high percentage of failures. Thus, (and dissemination results) is essential if the field river advance. Effective project success should include: (1) Clear objectives , identity potential incompatibilities among provide framework for design (2) Baseline data needed as an objective basis evaluating change caused by encompassing long pre‐project period possible (including detailed historical study). (3) Good study demonstrate effects in complex riverine environment. (4) Commitment term detect evident only years following completion; general, monitoring continue at least decade, with surveys after each flood above predetermined threshold. (5) Willingness acknowledge failures or rather recognize that constitutes experiment, so failure can be just valuable science success, provided we learn from it (which requires objective, robust evaluation).