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What is the difference between the terms “Regional Ecosystem Infrastructure Development Framework” (REIDF) and “Region Ecosystem Framework” (REF)?
The Manager’s Guide to the Integrated Ecological Framework was developed for managers and decision makers who want to understand what is entailed in conducting a transportation/infrastructure planning process. In developing the Manager’s Guide, the authors developed the term “Regional Ecosystem Infrastructure Development Framework” (REIDF) to better explain the intention of the Region Ecosystem Framework (REF), outlined in Eco-Logical. Both REF and REIDF describe the outcome of integrating conservation priorities, data, and plans with transportation and infrastructure data and plans. The resulting tool can help transportation agencies plan and deliver transportation systems that are consistent with regional conservation priorities. Further, the Manager’s Guide also reorganizes some of the steps of the IEF (see comparison graphic). Both the approach laid out in this website and that in the Manager’s Guide will reach the desired outcome of establishing an ecosystem approach, but one may suit a specific location better than the other.
As FHWA works with transportation and resource agencies to implement the IEF, it will use the term “REF” to simplify and remain consistent with the C06 steps. However, transportation remains an integral part of the REF and the overall regional conservation strategy.
