EVST 105

This work was produced by Environmental Studies students in the Fall 2010 semester.

Toward a Comprehensive Restoration and Conservation Plan for the Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) in the James River, Virginia

Project Overview
This project was an attempt to develop a plan for the restoration and conservation of the Acipenser oxyrinchus (Atlantic Sturgeon) in the James River.

Course Description

During the fall of 2010, the Environmental Problem Solving I class at Randolph-Macon College (EVST 105) will develop a comprehensive plan to restore the Atlantic Sturgeon (AS) population in the James River for the James River Association (JRA). The JRA is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the physical and biological health of the James River. The organizational structure for accomplishing this work included a tiered four-group configuration that roughly follows the James River Association’s river health index (State of the James Report, 2009) and consists of the following work groups: (1) AS Physiological Ecology;(2) AS Habitat Requirements and Assessment; (3) AS Abiotic and Biotic Threats; and (4) Policies and Regulations that Affect the AS (Figure 1). Each group provided the objectives and methods used to achieve those objectives in the sections below. At the end of this semester (December, 2010), the class will compile all findings into a report titled, “Comprehensive Plan to Restore the Atlantic Sturgeon Population in the James River,” and present their findings orally to officials of the JRA.

Task Groups:

Habitat Group
Physiological Ecology Group
Threats Group
Policies Group