Section 1. 
Introduction 
Purpose and Scope 
This document describes the framework and implementation plans for ecological effects research 
on aquatic stressors within the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory 
(NHEERL) beginning in 2002. The ultimate goal of the planned research is to develop 
scientifically valid approaches for protecting the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems from 
multiple aquatic stressors. The framework first defines the context and process for conducting 
research to reduce the risks aquatic stressors pose to aquatic resources, including aquatic life and 
aquatic-dependent wildlife populations and communities. Specific research plans then identify 
and describe NHEERL’s priority research areas, linkages among the areas, and specific research 
projects which include the types of products that can be expected over the next several years. 
Although this document outlines the research that will be conducted within these research areas, 
it does not prioritize work across research areas. 
This document also provides discussion points for use with other organizations regarding 
uncertainties in risk assessment techniques, potential collaborative research, and other 
interactions. 
The scope of the document is defined by NHEERL’s research areas under the Government 
Performance and Results Act (GPRA), Goal 2, Clean and Safe Water, sub-objective 2.2.3: 
"Provide the means to identify, assess, and manage aquatic stressors, including contaminated 
sediments." This Goal is one of 10 EPA strategic goals that cover the programmatic needs of the 
Agency. NHEERL’s research under Goal 2 focuses on the development of stressor-response 
models for habitat alteration, nutrients, suspended and bedded sediments, and toxic chemicals; 
and on the development of diagnostic methods that are applicable up to and including the 
watershed scale. 
This document does not include work on some aquatic stressors (e.g., invasive species, microbial 
pathogens, and climate change), monitoring under the Environmental Monitoring Assessment 
Program (EMAP), many aspects of biocriteria, or some work related to the aquatic stressors 
effort, which is covered under other GPRA goals (e.g., molecular and cellular mechanisms of 
toxic chemicals). Research on invasive species is being conducted elsewhere as EPA is an active 
member of the Inter-Agency Invasive Species Advisory Council, which includes the Fish and 
Wildlife Service (FWS), National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and 
other federal agencies. Monitoring under EMAP and biocriteria research occurs under GPRA 
Goal 8 and other research issues are covered under other NHEERL strategic goals (see 
http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/). 
Aquatic stressors research will require continuing interaction between the Office of Research and 
Development (ORD) Laboratories and Centers, EPA’s Program Offices, and Regions, to ensure 
that the efforts are not duplicated and that the approaches developed are compatible with those 
for exposure and risk characterization. 
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