Conservation Effects Assessment Project

The Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) was established in 2002 to quantify the environmental impact of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) conservation program.[1] The project focuses on how watersheds are affected.[2] CEAP monitored 14 benchmark watershed sites.[1] The CEAP's vision is to enhance "natural resources and healthier ecosystems through improved conservation effectiveness and better management of agricultural landscapes.[3] The goal is "to improve efficacy of conservations practices and programs by quantifying conservation effects and providing the science and education base needed to enrich conservation planning, implementation, management decisions, and policy."[3]

A conserved watershed in the United States

Soil Water Assessment Tool

The Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is supported by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. It is a river basin scale model used to quantify the impact of land management practices in large watersheds. This tool is located in Grassland, Soil and Research Laboratory in Temple, Texas.[4]

Sustaining the Earth's Watersheds-Agricultural Research Data System

Sustaining the Earth's Watershed-Agricultural Research Data Systems (STEWARDS) was created by a group called the Watershed Assessment Studies a team within the CEAP.[5] STEWARDS is a system that consists of a database to allow users to search and analyze various watershed conditions. The anticipated benefits include data preservation, faster data access, and improved ability to collaborate research between watersheds.[6]

Watersheds affected

  • Mahantango Creek Experimental Watershed in Pennsylvania
  • Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed in Idaho
  • Little River Experimental Watershed in Georgia
  • Little Washita River Experimental Watershed in Oklahoma
  • Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed in Arizona[2]

Partnerships

Lead USDA agencies

Additional partners

  • International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is the point place for state fish and wildlife agencies. The represent the state agencies on Capitol Hill on important conservation and management policies.[18]
  • Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization. They advocate for science-based practice, programs, and policy and conservation professionals.[19]
  • The Nature Conservancy protects the land and water in order to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities.[20]
  • The Wildlife Society addresses national and international issues that effect current and future North American wildlife. The society is made up of professional wildlife conservationists.[21]
  • Land-grant colleges and universities

References

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