PARENT SESSION
Poster Session # 22: Late-Breaking Newsworthy Posters
Friday, August 8 Presentation from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM. SITCC Exhibit Hall B.
Science-Based Restoration Monitoring of Coastal Habitats.
THAYER, GORDON1, BELLMER, RUSSELL2, MCTIGUE, TERESA3, BURROWS, FELICITY3, MERKEY, DAVID4, NICKENS, AMY*,3, POLMATEER, PAMELA3, GAYALDO, PERRY5, 1 NOAA/NOS/Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Reserach, Beaufort, NC2 US Fish and Wildlife Service, Stockton, CA3 NOAA/NOS/Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Silver Spring, MD4 NOAA/Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Ann Arbor, MI5 NOAA/NMFS/Habitat Conservation/Restoration Center, Seattle, WA
ABSTRACT- NOAA has partnered with scientists and managers across the United States to develop Science-Based Restoration Monitoring of Coastal Habitats. The goal of this document is to support the maximization, to the greatest extent possible, of societal, ecological, and environmental benefits to watersheds throughout the estuarine and coastal Great Lakes regions of the United States and its protectorates. Our objective is to provide technical assistance in the development and implementation of sound scientific monitoring of coastal restoration efforts. The document outlines the steps and provides the tools necessary to develop a scientifically sound and fiscally responsible monitoring plan. The document is divided into two volumes. Volume One, titled A Framework for Monitoring Plans under the Estuaries and Clean Water Act of 2000, provides a framework for creating a monitoring program, discusses how to create a monitoring plan, and inventories important information that should be considered when monitoring specific habitats. Overall guidance on implementing scientific monitoring plans for coastal habitat restoration ranging from estuaries to freshwater coastal ecosystems of the United States is given. Volume Two, titled Tools for Monitoring Coastal Habitat, describes commonly restored coastal habitats and methods to monitor them. This volume recommends minimum measurements that may be used in each habitat as part of a restoration monitoring plan. Other items presented in Volume Two include an annotated bibliography of literature relevant to restoration monitoring and sampling techniques manuals, guidance on the selection of reference sites, a review of restoration monitoring programs in the United States, a review of Acts relevant to restoration monitoring, and a sample list of costs involved in restoration monitoring. Lastly, a review of socioeconomic factors associated with restoration monitoring is presented in Volume Two. Here, practical socioeconomic metrics and processes are recommended for monitoring restoration projects.
Key words: guidance document, restoration monitoring, coastal habitats