The Aquatic Multi-Scale Assessment and Planning Framework is a web-based decision support tool developed to assist aquatic practitioners in managing fisheries and watershed information. This tool, or "Framework", is designed to facilitate broad to fine-scale resource assessments and planning efforts, document procedures, and link directly to pertinent research.

All information in the following multi-scale framework below shall be used strictly as an example and is not be cited.

The Framework is a hierarchical, hyperlinked template that is readily updateable. For aquatic resources in a planning area, such as those occupied by salmonid fishes, the structure produces tabular and spatial displays of (1) current habitat conditions and distributions; (2) desired future conditions; (3) risks and threats to the species concerned; (4) analysis approaches; (5) a conservation and restoration strategy; and (6) a monitoring, inventory, and research strategy. The Framework also provides a logical system for developing, tracking and documenting aquatic information at various spatial scales (sub-watershed to basin) and can hyperlink management questions and data to best available science and procedures. For example, different analysis approaches (e.g. extinction risk matrices, influence diagrams, probabilistic networks) along with supporting science or case studies are directly linked and downloadable from the Framework. This transparent and defensible six-step process helps to proficiently define and display information assumptions.

Supporting Science