An Approach for Assessing U.S. Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration A Gulf Research Program Environmental Monitoring Report (2022) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
5 Moving Forward
5 Moving Forward
Pages 113-138
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 113... ...
Assessment of cumulative impacts -- additive, synergistic, and possibly antagonistic effects -- of multiple restoration projects of similar or diverse nature over spatial and temporal scales beyond that of an individual project are uncommon in the GoM. Development of synthesis capacity that can support an adaptive management process to integrate diverse restoration projects over significant spatial scales is recognized as a need by the Deepwater Horizon funding entities,2 but has not yet been widely initiated.
|
From page 114... ...
how cumulative effects analyses and adaptive management approaches can be utilized in planning, implementing, and assessing future restoration efforts in the GoM; and (4) barriers and opportunities for synthesizing the large amount of data and information already collected from Deepwater Horizon projects to maximize the probability of successful ecosystem restoration in the GoM.
|
From page 115... ...
CMAP compiled an inventory of 544 water quality monitoring, habitat monitoring, and mapping programs operating in the GoM (NOAA and USGS, 2019)
|
From page 116... ...
, few examples of integrated remote sensing and emerging technology-driven monitoring studies (e.g., using AI, ML, or DL) are being adopted for Gulf restoration efforts: for example, the CMAP inventory assessment found that only 7 percent of oyster restoration efforts used AI or ML (NOAA and USGS, 2019)
|
From page 117... ...
need to be at the forefront of tool creation because they can isolate the cumulative impacts of long-term restoration projects and can be used for large-scale synthesis across sites in the GoM that are under the constant influence of broad-scale natural and anthropogenic drivers, pressures, and stressors. AI-based modeling with existing monitoring data has been increasingly used in the past few years but primarily for smaller-scale projects (Beijbom et al., 2015; Norouzzadeh et al., 2018; Parashar et al., 2021; Weinstein, 2018; Williams et al., 2019)
|
From page 118... ...
, on restoration sites in the GoM. There are now numerous satellite options for acquiring imaging data from a specific restoration site or for multiple restoration projects, and the choice of satellite sensor and data depends on the nature of the investigation, type of data needs (e.g., spatial resolution or pixel size; optical imagery, thermal imagery, or elevation or height data)
|
From page 119... ...
. The imaging or optical or wireless sensors can provide multi- and hyperspectral remote sensing reflectance data, which can be used to monitor wetlands' biophysical characteristics, soil organic matter, water quality, seagrass status, and several other coastal habitats or ecosystem indicators (Babaeian et al., 2019; Boddula et al., 2017; Geller et al., 2017; Mishra et al., 2020; Ojha et al.
|
From page 120... ...
Being able to collect automated data from relatively isolated restoration sites by remotely operating the sensors from a laboratory using AI technologies and guaranteeing reliable transmission of monitoring data from these environments (e.g., coastal marshes) is one of the most important features of the NSF CPS infrastructure.
|
From page 121... ...
, and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program's reporting and assessment methods.31 These databases are important sources of input data, but they lack the ability to integrate models to synthesize, process, and display outputs about restoration projects across the GoM. Recent growth in cloud-based platforms -- such as Google Earth Engine,32 which is open to anyone with an internet connection -- can be an interface for users to model and visualize data, and carry out further processing (e.g., Boothroyd et al., 2020; Campbell and Wang, 2020; Mishra et al., 2020; Vos et al., 2019)
|
From page 122... ...
are assigned to datasets so they can be cited, • datasets linked to publications are easily identified, • data are freely available and downloadable, • data are retained permanently in an archiving database, • metadata are discoverable through common search engines, and • data reporting formats are machine readable. The broad set of restoration efforts envisioned by Deepwater Horizon funding entities and others, both coastal and oceanic, will generate significant quantities of data over the coming years.
|
From page 123... ...
and water quality parameters, including nutrient concentra tions (federal, state, or local water quality monitoring programs) : these data are used to generate loading estimates to estuarine and coastal waters.
|
From page 124... ...
models conditions critical to survival implemented on satellite data (e.g., salinity, dissolved for water quality monitoring oxygen) may underscore the importance of assessing reef systems across salinity and habitat gradients with a goal of maximizing survival under a variety of conditions Landings data can provide some indication of oysters' Gulf-wide distribution Submerged Aquatic Areal extent Proximity to other habitats Cumulative Net Ecosystem For some SAV projects, a Autonomous underwater Vegetation (SAV)
|
From page 125... ...
enhanced, created, or proximity to other habitats and use by fauna, can become marsh dieback or other Cumulative Net Ecosystem conserved well established within 1–5 degradations Changes in areal coverage Improvement years of restoration, while Vegetation percentage cover CubeSats high temporal Secondary production other features, such as below and species composition frequency useful for Additional process ground biomass, can take one monitoring impacts of acute Above-ground and below- or more decades to approach measurements, such as disturbance events ground biomass levels of natural marshes carbon sequestration and Ground sensor networks with Gross primary production denitrification, are important automated data collection and in these systems and will transmission (e.g., Phenocam need modeling and research or eddy covariance towers) community coordination and collaboration Moderate resolution multispectral satellite data for frequent monitoring of wetland biophysical status Water Quality, Including Sediment, nitrogen, Likely will need quite a Conceptual models Lag times between field-scale Autonomous underwater Nutrient Reduction phosphorus loads; ambient few process measurements management and response of vehicles or floating sensor Structured decision making pollutant concentrations (accretion rates, production relevant water quality metrics network for water quality rates, etc.)
|
From page 126... ...
Assessing Functionality With the increasing availability of satellite-derived assessments of the areal extent of coastal habitats, it is possible to determine the total area of most of the restored salt marsh in the Gulf; it is more difficult to determine the areal extent of restored oyster reef and seagrass meadows. However, to the extent that satellite data are not readily available for oyster reefs and seagrasses, an estimate of the total area restored by Deepwater Horizon-associated restoration activities can be obtained by gathering information from all Deepwater Horizon funding entities on the size of areas restored and then summing them by habitat type.
|
From page 127... ...
Restoration practices that have been successful in the past may no longer be adequate to compensate for the effects of anticipated changes in background trends. Adaptive management techniques can provide restoration program managers with the ability to revisit and update large-scale restoration strategies, based on periodic review of monitoring data and progress toward programmatic goals.
|
From page 128... ...
In order to maximize the use of these funds, and to prepare for the potential adaptation or enhancement of the restoration program, Deepwater Horizon funding entities have the opportunity to set up the infrastructure necessary to facilitate the evaluation of the restoration program and make adjustments now, if warranted, while preparing for the future. As discussed in Chapter 4, the Deepwater Horizon Monitoring and Adaptive Management (MAM)
|
From page 129... ...
The Importance of Synthesis for Adaptive Management and Cumulative Effects Assessments Synthesis efforts are needed to determine how much the many localized restoration efforts, when taken together, have resulted in measurably improved coastal and estuarine ecosystems across the GoM region. In addition, such analyses provide a mechanism for adjusting efforts to produce better restoration outcomes.
|
From page 130... ...
Risks of Not Considering Large-Scale Restoration from a Cumulative Effects Approach The scale of restoration investments (size and number of projects) will affect the ability to assess cumulative effects.41 As the scale of restoration has grown to include multiple and diverse projects over broader geographies, so have the observations that positive interactions can be enhanced through careful planning, analysis, and adaptive management (Diefenderfer et al., 2021)
|
From page 131... ...
Commitment to long-term monitoring is especially important because Gulf restoration efforts are taking place in the context of changing long-term environmental trends (discussed in Chapter 2) , which are likely to have significant influences on the success or failure of restoration projects.
|
From page 132... ...
Outcomes from these analyses might suggest commonalities among estuaries, identify outliers, and suggest reasons for divergences. By using both pre-DWH and contemporary data, practitioners may start to see where and by how much restoration efforts are having an effect.
|
From page 133... ...
notes that there is a clear need to create a collaborative multidisciplinary synthesis effort dedicated to Gulf-wide restoration issues involving cumulative effects quantification of restoration efforts, impacts of large-scale trends in system stressors on restoration projects, and better understanding the effects of both chronic and acute stressors on restoration success. The GoM is not without examples of synthesis activities that go far toward meeting some of the above goals.
|
From page 134... ...
Application of multiple lines of evidence to assess cumulative effects has been implemented in some long-term science-based management programs initiated prior to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, but challenges remain in the development of the critical analysis and synthesis of the cumulative effects of Deepwater Horizon projects to date. Assessment of cumulative impacts -- additive, synergistic, and possibly antagonistic effects -- of multiple restoration projects of similar or diverse nature over spatial and temporal scales beyond that of an individual project is generally lacking.
|
From page 135... ...
It is envisioned that each Deepwater Horizon funding entity, within its programmatic authority, can work cooperatively with others to realize this integration. The committee recognizes the challenges faced by the Gulf Coast environmental restoration community, including recovery from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, as well as the continued impacts of multiple hurricanes and other climatic events, and it applauds the progress made to date on recovery and restoration efforts.
|
From page 136... ...
should be sought to maintain data access in the future. Recommendation C: The Deepwater Horizon funding entities should expedite the issuance of guidance for adaptive management and cumulative effects assessment at the programmatic scale for Deepwater Horizon-funded large-scale and multiple-restoration efforts.
|
From page 137... ...
However, synergistic and antagonistic effects of large-scale restoration efforts in the Gulf of Mexico have not been assessed to date, and results from a limited number of assessments are mixed. Recommendation E: The Deepwater Horizon funding entities should evaluate mechanisms that support cross-state and Gulf-wide collaboration among researchers, resource managers, and practitioners, with an objective to design and implement restoration efforts that allow assess ment of antagonistic and synergistic effects.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.