Evans, James R. et al., Eds. "Biodiversity of the Hanford Site: Final Report, 2002-2003." Seattle: The Nature Conservancy, 2003. (reviewed by Allyson Goldstein)
Summary:
This comprehensive report gives a thorough inventory of the plant and animal species at the Hanford Site including endangered and threatened species. It is a compilation of various studies that look at the overall ecosystem health of the Hanford Site, and makes suggestions for the future. It is a follow-up report to a study commissioned by the Federal government in 1993. The Hanford Site is one of the most biodiverse sites along the Columbia River, and in Washington State. It is an important example of the natural shrub-steppe environment, most of which has been lost to development and agriculture. The Hanford Reach is also the only undammed stretch of the Columbia River.
The study is divided into various sections, and includes information about vegetation, rare plants, biological soil crusts, macroinvertebrates, and invasive plant species inventory and management. The work also includes many graphs, charts and images. In addition to simply providing an inventory of all native and non-native plants in the Hanford Reach, the report also explores Hanford's history as a nuclear site, and gives suggestions for managing invasive plants, which are considered the greatest threats to Hanford's natural biodiversity. Finally, the studies in the Biodiversity Report also point out where further research is needed.
Critique:
The 2003 report is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the native flora and fauna of the Hanford Region. Researchers should note though, that the information contained in the report gives an incomplete picture of the groundwater and other radioactive contamination in the Hanford Site, and instead focuses on the plants there. It gives a plethora of information about plant and invertebrate species in the region, but very little information about fish and mammals in the Hanford Reach.
The section about biological crusts is particularly interesting because so little is known about them even though they are such a crucial part of the arid-steppe ecosystem. The report is also strong because it comes from The Nature Conservancy, which is a reputable non-governmental source (the Department of Energy has a history of not being completely upfront about the Hanford Site). It also offers suggestions for further research, and provides a complete picture of Hanford's biota. The section about invasive plant management is interesting as well, because invasive plants cause major problems not only in the Hanford Reach, but throughout the rest of the United States as well.
Robert D. Clark Honors College, University of Oregon
HC 441: Science Colloquium, Columbia River Ecology
Fall term, 2005
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