Washington State Department of Ecology

Characterize Ecosystem-wide Processes

Ecology's guidelines recognize that SMA shorelines cannot be properly managed in isolation from activities taking place upstream, updrift or on adjacent land areas.

The flow of water, sediment, nutrients and materials into and through shorelines are the driving processes that determine the health of the overall system. Modifying or interrupting these ecosystem-wide processes may affect local processes (such as bank storage, hyporheic and overbank flows) and ecologic functions that occur within shoreline jurisdiction.

Local governments are required to characterize shoreline ecosystems and associated shoreline ecological functions by three steps:

Identify the ecosystem-wide processes and ecological functions that apply to the shoreline
Assess the ecosystem-wide processes to determine their relationship to ecological functions, ...and which are healthy, altered, or missing
Identify measures to protect and/or restore the ecological functions and ecosystem-wide processes.

View Rule citation

The characterization can be accomplished through use of a) an existing regional plan, b) using data and information from existing, studies, data and technical information gathered in the inventory step, OR if the local government chooses, they may c) undertake an analysis of broader scope and greater complexity than can be accomplished within the framework of existing studies.

To "determine the relationship between ecosystem-wide processes and shoreline ecological function" not only requires characterization of the processes that are influencing your shoreline, but also those that have been degraded, and those that may have been improved or restored.

Below are two different approaches to characterizing ecosystem-wide processes. Both methods are intended as merely guidance to help local jurisdictions develop the information they need to address the three steps described above. Ecology recognizes that there are many ways to successfully satisfy the requirements of the rule. Both approaches can use existing reports, monitoring studies, data, and assessments to identify land uses that may need to be managed to protect shorelines.

Shoreline Management issue-based approach

This approach scopes the characterization of ecosystem-wide processes by what shoreline management issues of concern need to be addressed.

It relies on existing data, monitoring studies, reports and assessments to identify upland, adjacent, and updrift land uses that influence the shoreline. In many cases, detailed results of quantitative studies will provide a level of certainty regarding the type and source of current impairments to shoreline functions. In addition, existing predictive models can assess adverse impacts from future land uses. Many of these completed assessments also provide prioritized recommendations for protection and restoration.

Managing Shorelines by Understanding Watershed Processes

This approach develops a general characterization of five ecosystem-swide processes. They are the movement of water, sediment, nutrients, pathogens, and large woody debris. These processes support shoreline ecosystems.

This approach maps upland areas that are important to these processes using readily available data layers. It describes the potential linkages between the shoreline ecosystems and their ecological functions. It identifies areas were the processes have been altered, and together with the inventory, helps identify areas for protection and restoration. It is useful in selecting environment designations and in helping to achieve "no net loss" of ecological functions.

This approach is most useful at the county scale where several jurisdictions can benefit. The guidance document for this approach has recently been peer reviewed.

Contact Susan Grigsby for more information on Understanding Watershed Processes.