Development of quantitative tools for improved environmental decision-making in arid environments

The tools available for rapid and accurate evaluations of the condition of ecosystems in and environments have undergone major developments, much of this due to recent research in the southwestern U.S. Ecosystem health is now largely viewed as a function of the ability to retain soil and water resources; and indicators for monitoring have become increasingly quantitative and reflective of the ability to retain these resources. Quantitative data on rangeland health indicators have also been useful to identify state-transition thresholds which are essential for effective ecosystem management. In more recent studies, we have been investigating the potential for using quantitative bioindicators of plant function to predict the potential long-term effects of catastrophic stressors. The case-study here is of coastal mangroves (Avicennia marina) smeared with oil from a marine oil-spill. Early understanding of the potential long-term effects should allow more informed decision-making on how best to preserve or remediate affected systems. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.