AN ECOSYSTEM-BASED APPROACH TO RIVERINE CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT OF THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE, NEW MEXICO.

J.J. Follstad Shah, C.N. Dahm, and C.S. Crawford. Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131

Management of sustainable river and riparian habitats, biodiversity, and ecological processes is challenging, especially in arid regions such as the southwestern U.S. Management in this region has shifted from a holistic, ecosystem perspective to concerns of specific habitats, endangered species, or local water use. The Middle Rio Grande Ecosystem: Bosque Biological Management Plan (BBMP), published in 1993 by an interagency team, was an ecosystem-based approach for restoring and rehabilitating the riverine corridor. The BBMP included detailed information regarding historic and current hydrology and river morphology, aquatic and terrestrial resources and organisms, climate, trends in population and land use, and water management practices. Twenty-one recommendations were made, and an integrated approach to resource management was advocated. The BBMP spurred restoration and rehabilitation efforts and has served as a valuable reference for several years. Several new plans are currently being developed, but they are more habitat or species specific in focus. Alternatively, we are beginning a re-analysis of key current issues (endangered species, exotic species, geomorphic changes, sediment supply, riparian zone evapotranspiration, fire, water quality, and nutrient cycling) affecting the Middle Rio Grande in the context of an ecosystem-based approach. The results to date of this analysis will be presented.