Available:*
Library | Item Barcode | Call Number | Material Type | Item Category 1 | Status |
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Searching... | 32070000000501 | QH541.15.E22 E26 2015 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
On Order
Summary
Summary
Edited by experts at the leading edge of the development of causal assessment methods for more than two decades, Ecological Causal Assessment gives insight and expert guidance on how to identify cause-effect relationships in environmental systems. The book discusses the importance of asking the fundamental question "Why did this effect happen?" before moving on to "How can we fix it?"
The book provides a deeper understanding of different philosophical and analytical approaches, and of cognitive tendencies that can lead to errors. It describes formal processes for causal assessment that are particularly helpful when the situation is complex or contentious. It also describes how to approach the analysis of available data and to optimize collection efforts. The text then details a transparent process that helps others replicate results and can be used to convince skeptics that the true cause has been identified. Several detailed case studies show how to apply the process to streams, watersheds, and a terrestrial wildlife population.
Causal assessment is a challenging, but endlessly fascinating endeavor. Success requires the persistence to figure things out and solid strategies for using the information that you have and getting more of the right kind of information that you need. This book gives you just that: the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to successfully unravel tough environmental problems and build the knowledge base for effective management solutions.
Read interview about this book with author Sue Norton here:
http://www.freshwater-science.org/Publications/Newsletter-In-The-Drift/ITD--Fall-2015.cfm#itdqna
Table of Contents
Introduction and Philosophical Foundation |
IntroductionSusan B. Norton and Susan M. Cormier and Glenn W. Suter II |
What is a Cause?Glenn W. Suter II |
How Have Causes Been Identified?Glenn W. Suter II and Susan M. Cormier |
Characteristics and Evidence of CausationSusan M. Cormier and Glenn W. Suter II and Susan B. Norton |
Human Cognition and Causal AssessmentSusan B. Norton and Leela Rao |
Conducting Causal Assessments |
Our Approach for Identifying CausesSusan M. Cormier and Susan B. Norton and Glenn W. Suter II |
Part 2A Formulating the Problem |
Defining the CaseSusan B. Norton and Glenn W. Suter II |
Listing Candidate CausesSusan B. Norton and Kate Schofield and Glenn W. Suter II and Susan M. Cormier |
Part 2B Deriving Evidence |
Case-Specific Observations: Assembling and Exploring DataSusan B. Norton and Michael G. McManus |
Case-Specific Observations: Deriving EvidenceSusan B. Norton and David Farrar and Michael Griffith |
Regional Observational Studies: Assembling and Exploring DataJeroen Gerritsen and Lester L. Yuan and Patricia Shaw-Allen and David Farrar |
Regional Observational Studies: Deriving EvidenceJeroen Gerritsen and Lester L. Yuan and Patricia Shaw-Allen and Susan M. Cormier |
Regional Observational Studies: Addressing ConfoundingDavid Farrar and Laurie C. Alexander and Lester L. Yuan and Jeroen Gerritsen |
Assessment-Specific Field Study Designs and MethodsRobert B. Brua and Joseph M. Culp and Alexa C. Alexander |
Laboratory Experiments and MicrocosmsAlexa C. Alexander and Joseph M. Culp and Robert B. Brua |
Mesocosm StudiesJoseph M. Culp and Alexa C. Alexander and Robert B. Brua |
Symptoms, Body Burdens, and BiomarkersGlenn W. Suter II |
Simulation ModelsGlenn W. Suter II |
Part 2C Forming Conclusions and Using the Findings |
Forming Causal ConclusionsGlenn W. Suter II and Susan M. Cormier and Susan B. Norton |
Communicating the FindingsSusan M. Cormier |
After the Causal Assessment: Using the FindingsSusan B. Norton and Scot E. Hagerthey and Glenn W. Suter II |
Case Studies |
Causal Assessment in a Complex Urban Watershed-The Long Creek Case StudynC. Richard Ziegler and Susan B. Norton |
The Clear Fork Watershed Case Study: The Value of State Monitoring ProgramsLei Zheng and Jeroen Gerritsen and Susan M. Cormier |
The Northern River Basins Study and the Athabasca River: The Value of Experimental Approaches in a Weight-of-Evidence AssessmentAlexa C. Alexander and Patricia A. Chambers and Robert B. Brua and Joseph M. Culp |
Applying CADDIS to a Terrestrial Case: San Joaquin Kit Foxes on an Oil FieldGlenn W. Suter II and Thomas P. O'Farrell |
Glossary |
References |
List of Abbreviations and Acronyms |
Index |