IMPROVING SPRINGS ECOSYSTEMS STEWARDSHIP WITH COMPREHENSIVE, INTERDISCIPLINARY, BASIC INVENTORY, ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING DATA

Recent advances in the development of a comprehensive classification system of springs ecosystems using a dichotomous key were made possible partially through collection of a critical density of basic inventory and assessment data. Although springs are significantly important to ecosystems and cultures, they have not had comprehensive, interdisciplinary investigations until the last 20 years. Hydrology, geology, geochemistry, geomorphology, geography, botany, aquatic ecology, anthropology, and other basic data are necessary to conduct comprehensive inventories and assessments of springs. The Springs Stewardship Institute has developed the cloud-based Springs Online database for hosting springs ecosystems basic data. There are cross walks between different inventory protocols to make the data of broader interest and applicability for making stewardship decisions. Standardization of the inventory and assessment protocols and data format has allowed for improved management and stewardship decision making between disparate land and resource owners and managers. The basic data allow for improved tracking of springs ecosystems responses to climate and landscape change.