The importance of natural flow regimes to the ecological integrity of rivers has been established for decades, but more specific information is needed to develop and implement scientifically credible instream flow standards. In fact, recent reviews of resources to support instream flow standards reveal there is little available information to substantiate the ecological responses to flow alteration (Poff and Zimmerman 2009; unpublished reviews by SIFN and Susquehanna River Commission). Most flow studies, for example, relate site- or species-specific conditions to magnitude of flow, but not to effects of alterations of hydrologic regimes. Monitoring of ecological responses to flow alterations is seldom accomplished. For the ecological study results that do exist, syntheses for state standards are difficult to make without comparable measures and a river classification system which is relevant to flow alterations. The science needed to support instream flow standards has only recently been defined under the Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA, Poff et al. 2009) framework. The information in this section follows the ELOHA framework for establishing scientifically credible relationships of ecological responses to flow alteration.

This section is actively changing through SIFN Research Agenda. To participate and to review current work, go to the SIFN Wiki Site: http://sifn.bse.vt.edu/sifnwiki/index.php/Main_Page and follow the instructions to open an account and/or log in.

Documents related to the research agenda are available for download according to the priority research topics:

1. Develop a regional river classification system.

2. Identify commonalities in ecosystem responses to flow alterations.

3. Compile regional aquatic ecology data sets.

4. Develop hypotheses for regional ecological responses to flow alteration.

5. Perform field studies to test ecological responses to altered flow regimes.

Click on the following categories to explore resources associated with Instream Flow Science.