Gulf-wide data synthesis for restoration planning: Utility and limitations

Shore & Beach ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Leland Moss ◽  
Tim Carruthers ◽  
Harris Bienn ◽  
Adrian Mcinnis ◽  
Alyssa Dausman
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Coastal Zone Management ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Centers Of Excellence ◽  
Northern Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Restoration Planning ◽  
Community Benefits ◽  
Zone Management ◽  
Data Layers

Multiple funding mechanisms support restoration across the northern Gulf of Mexico. To maximize environmental, societal, and financial benefits of these investments, best use of available science is needed to inform project prioritization and planning processes. Synthesizing available data across the northern Gulf of Mexico can provide information on potential threats to, and benefits from, projects or suites of projects. To achieve this, subject matter experts from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas were identified with recommendations from each of the RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence. These experts provided known sources of Gulf-wide data and recommended metrics that would be most informative, resulting in 40 threat, 19 habitat and 10 community primary data layers. Two tessellated geospatial hexagon grids were generated to provide uniform coverage that encompassed a 25-mile buffer of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) boundary at a spatial grid resolution of 100 km2 and 1 km2. The two resultant grid domains included all counties in the five Gulf states determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as contributing to coastal watersheds. The varying grid resolutions allowed for data to be spatially visualized both at a broad Gulf-wide scale on the 100 km2 grid as well as at a regional and project level scale on the 1 km2 grid. The data layers were synthesized into combined layers of potential stress, potential ecological benefits, and potential community benefits. These layers support broad scale prioritization for restoration efforts, based on likelihood of success and desired outcomes. The synthesized data were discussed in the context of the five goals and four priority criteria of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council’s (RESTORE Council) aim of using best available science (BAS) to guide future funding for restoration at large and small scales.

scholarly journals The Mangrove Forests of the Cameroon Coast and its Socio-Economic Significan

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 539-545
Author(s):  
Theophilus N. Mukete-Moto
Keyword(s):  
Mangrove Forest ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Coastal Zone Management ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Nature Management ◽  
Mangrove Forests ◽  
Zone Management

The study analyses anthropogenic influence on the mangrove forests of the Cameroon coast and focuses on the development and improvement of the constructive- geographical foundations of rational nature management for the conservation and possible renewal of its natural resources base. The exploitation of mangrove forest landscapes has yielded significant benefits to the local population living within the mangrove forest limits, but the beneficiaries have not made commensurate investments in their sustainability and rational use. Therefore, this habitat must be carefully conserved or protected from wanton anthropogenic activities for the development purpose. The study made use primary and secondary data in establishing the facts analysed in this work. The secondary data comprised of materials of prominent authors who have contributed much to the findings related to coastal mangroves. Primary data collection was field visits carried out by the author in 2016. Questionnaires and semi- structural questions were used to collect information from mangrove exploiters. The findings confirm that the coastal mangrove forests in Cameroon have multiple functions beneficial to the communities adjacent to the coast, but, unfortunately, the beneficiaries have not made commensurate efforts to their sustainability and rationale. The Mangrove forests covered a surface area of 200 000 km2, but Cameroon lost 30 % of its mangrove forest cover in 1980–2006. If projected under ceteris paribus, Cameroon lost approximately 45 % of its mangrove forest cover in1980–2020. Haven understood that man has raped huge surfaces of mangrove forest for his selfish economic gains, the study proposed an urgent need for environmentally sustainable adaptive strategies like those earmarked in the Ramsay agreement and the ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) for the rational management of coastal mangroves in Cameroon.

scholarly journals A novel method for increasing water-yields, pine forests of the Northern Gulf of Mexico, USA 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christy Ann Crandall ◽  
Joseph St. Peter ◽  
Paul Medley ◽  
Jason Drake ◽  
Jordan Vernon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Water Yield ◽  
World Population ◽  
Initial Water ◽  
Northern Gulf Of Mexico

Abstract. With a burgeoning world population that is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, 30 % more than today, there is an urgent need to harness available water resources to support regions across the world. This study introduces a new method to identify, prioritize, and select areas for pine basal area reduction to maximize water yields in pine forests along the Northern Gulf of Mexico, USA. The method, demonstrated in the Apalachicola Region of Northwest Florida, an area covered by dense vegetation and pine plantation forests, has experienced freshwater loss due to increased upstream water demand, climate change, and past forest management practices. Potential initial water-yield gains were: 1) 469 m3 d−1 if all pine basal areas were reduced from current to a maximum of 18 m2 ha−1, and 53,400 m3 d−1 if pine basal areas were reduced from current to a maximum of 7 m2 ha−1 for the Apalachicola Region. The method identifies watersheds mainly along the Apalachicola and other rivers and near the Gulf coast that have the greatest potential to increase water yields. Increasing forest water yields translates to increased freshwater availability and improved forest and soil health, water quality, and ecosystem function, services, and resilience, as well as socioeconomic outcomes for communities and people who rely on ecotourism and fisheries for their livelihoods. This method will empower forest managers to focus scarce resources in targeted areas to maximize water-resource benefits per resource investment. Although demonstrated in the Apalachicola Region, the method is easily transferable throughout other pine forests of the Northern Gulf Coast Region. This scientifically sound method is repeatable, scalable, and easily upgraded and adapted as newer, higher resolution datasets become available and relationships between forest metrics, evapotranspiration, and water yields are improved.

Assessment of coastal dune vulnerability to natural and anthropogenic disturbances along the Gulf of Mexico

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. LUISA MARTÍNEZ ◽  
JUAN B. GALLEGO-FERNÁNDEZ ◽  
JOSÉ G. GARCÍA-FRANCO ◽  
CORAL MOCTEZUMA ◽  
CLAUDIA D. JIMÉNEZ
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Coastal Zone Management ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Sediment Supply ◽  
Dynamic State ◽  
Zone Management ◽  
Natural Dynamics

Human population density is globally three times higher along the coasts than inland, and thus environmental impacts of human activities are greater in magnitude on coastal ecosystems such as beaches and dunes. Vulnerability assessment (the loss of capacity to return to the original dynamic state after system displacement) is thus necessary to evaluate the conservation status and determine the most relevant disturbance events. Twenty-six sites along 902 km of Gulf of Mexico coastline, varying in conservation status and sedimentary dynamics, were sampled. At each site a vulnerability index (VI) was calculated based on variables that described geomorphological condition, marine influence, aeolian influence, vegetation condition and human effects. Vulnerability was very variable along the coast and only 19% of the sampled locations (mostly in the central Gulf of Mexico) displayed low vulnerability. Cluster analyses of the values assigned to the checklists for each location grouped the studied sites into three, according to their VI values. Low vulnerability locations had abundant sediment supply and low human impact. Locations with medium to high VI were mostly affected by their natural geomorphological and marine features and had medium to intense human activities. Management strategies should consider the observed variability in vulnerability, the natural dynamics of these systems and the role of human activities and interests, in order to achieve adequate policies and establish well-informed priorities for integrated coastal zone management.

scholarly journals Hydrodynamics of Bontang Seawaters: Its Effects on the Distribution of Water Quality Parameters

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Ulung Jantama Wisha ◽  
Semeidi Husrin ◽  
Gegar Sapta Prasetyo
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Coastal Zone Management ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Dissolve Oxygen Concentration ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Current Speed ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Hydrodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Hydrodynamic Simulation ◽  
Zone Management

Bontang is a crowded with residential and industrial activities which produce heat waste into surrounding waters. This condition may cause environmental problems, and changes in water condition. Knowledge about dynamics of physic and chemical waters condition in Bontang city is very important as an effort to address environmental issues as part of coastal zone management and protection. The aim of this research is to understand hydrodynamic characteristics (tide and current) and the influence to distribution of physics and chemical in Bontang waters base on primary data (current and tide during one month, physics and chemicals waters data taken by in situ) and secondary data (bathymetry and tide forecasting). Hydrodynamic simulation is based on MIKE 21 and supported by CD-Oceanography and WR plot. The results show that the current is dominant move toward the Southwest and Northeast with current speed ranged from 0-0,22 m.s-1. The results of hydrodynamic simulation in the surface water show that the current move base on tide movement with current speed ranged from 0-0,24 m.s-1. The results of physic and chemical concentration is analysed by ArcGIS 10 to know spatial distribution of all parameters. Surface temperature ranged from 29-31,8oC, surface density ranged from 20-20,6 ppm, salinity ranged from 33,1-33,5 ppm, dissolve oxygen concentration ranged from 0,078-0,11 ppm. Distribution of all physic and chemical parameters is influenced by current and tide movement. Keywords: current, numerical model, water quality, Bontang waters

scholarly journals DEGRADASI KOMUNITAS MANGROVE KALIMANTAN SELATAN AKIBAT PROSES DESALINASI PERAIRAN PESISIR

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eka Iriadenta
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Zone Management ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Water Desalination ◽  
Coastal Communities ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Comparison Analysis ◽  
Coastal Habitat ◽  
Zone Management ◽  
Derivatives Of

This study was to examine the process of desalination of coastal waters in South Kalimantan resulting in decreased quality of coastal habitat. Data input for research included time-series primary data of salinity values, derived from observation stations have been set. This research is based on grounded research methods to get the facts and comparison analysis through field observation and relevant data sources, including primary and secondary data, both qualitative and quantitative, as well as the approach to landscape approach using remote sensing data.The results showed that the phenomenon of coastal water desalination give effect to the fragility of coastal communities, especially mangroves, thus impacting derivatives of more vulnerability to degradation processes that occur on the coast of South Kalimantan. The research results can used as the basic of integrated coastal zone management.

Spatiotemporal Variability in ΔR in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, USA

Radiocarbon ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla S Hadden ◽  
Alexander Cherkinsky
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Northern Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Northern Gulf Coast ◽  
Gulf Coast Region ◽  
Coast Region

AbstractStrombus alatus and Busycon sinistrum are large marine gastropods that are frequently recovered from archaeological contexts in southeastern North America. We previously proposed a reservoir age offset (ΔR) for B. sinistrum from the northern Gulf of Mexico region based on known-age pre-bomb 20th-century specimens. We also reported significant variability in radiocarbon both among and within S. alatus specimens, which precluded a reliable estimation of ΔR for this taxon. In this paper, we present a complementary data set from archaeological contexts to re-evaluate marine reservoir effects in the northern Gulf Coast region at multiple spatial and temporal scales. The new data set consists of a total of 13 14C age determinations from well-associated marine (B. sinistrum and S. alatus) and terrestrial (Odocoileus virginianus) samples from a closed context at the Bayou St. John (1BA21) archaeological site. We suggest a slightly updated ∆R value of –2±53 14C yr for late Holocene-age B. sinistrum from the northern Gulf Coast region. S. alatus, and possibly other species of strombid conchs, are poor candidates for 14C dating due to the highly variable 14C content observed within and among specimens. Though subregional variability in inputs of 14C-depleted waters is likely, life-history factors related to ontogenetic niche and/or habitat shifts appear to be a major influence in shell 14C for S. alatus.

Warm Season Lightning Distributions over the Northern Gulf of Mexico Coast and Their Relation to Synoptic-Scale and Mesoscale Environments

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica R. Smith ◽  
Henry E. Fuelberg ◽  
Andrew I. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Sea Breeze ◽  
Northern Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Lake Charles ◽  
Northern Gulf Coast ◽  
Mexico Coast

Abstract Cloud-to-ground lightning data from the National Lightning Detection Network are used to create a warm season (May–September) lightning climatology for the northern Gulf of Mexico coast for the 14-yr period 1989–2002. Each day is placed into one of five flow regimes based on the orientation of the low-level flow with respect to the coastline. This determination is made using the vector mean 1000–700-hPa wind data at Lake Charles and Slidell, Louisiana. Flash densities are calculated for daily, hourly, and nocturnal periods. Spatial patterns of composite 24-h and nocturnal flash density indicate that lightning decreases in an east-to-west direction over the region. Flash densities for the 24-h period are greatest over land near the coast, with relative maxima located near Houston, Texas; Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, Louisiana; Biloxi, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. Flash densities during the nocturnal period are greatest over the coastal waters. Lightning across the northern Gulf coast is closely related to the prevailing low-level synoptic flow, which controls the sea breeze, the dominant forcing mechanism during the warm season. Southwest flow, the most unstable and humid of the five regimes, exhibits the most flashes. In this case, sea-breeze-induced convection is located slightly inland from the coast. Northeast flow, the driest and most stable of the regimes, exhibits the least amount of lightning. The large-scale flow restricts the sea breeze to near the coastline. Geographic features and local mesoscale circulations are found to affect lightning across the region. Geographic features include lakes, bays, marshes, swamps, and coastline orientations. Thermal circulations associated with these features interact with the main sea breeze to produce complex lightning patterns over the area.

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