Northwest Atlantic Coastal Indicators Workshop January 6-8, 2004 Durham, NH

Northwest Atlantic Northwest Atlantic CoastalCoastal

Indicators WorkshopIndicators Workshop

January 6-8, 2004January 6-8, 2004

Durham, NHDurham, NH

SPONSORSSPONSORS

Background InformationBackground Information• Development of a regional monitoring program for Development of a regional monitoring program for

the northeast Atlantic region (Atlantic Ocean from the northeast Atlantic region (Atlantic Ocean from New York to Maine and the Bay of Fundy, Canada) New York to Maine and the Bay of Fundy, Canada) began in 2002 with development of a framework for began in 2002 with development of a framework for coordinated monitoring.coordinated monitoring.

• The regional monitoring framework was developed The regional monitoring framework was developed with support from the Oceans Coastal and Protection with support from the Oceans Coastal and Protection Division of EPA and in collaboration with the states Division of EPA and in collaboration with the states and Canadian provinces in the region.and Canadian provinces in the region.

• The effort was expanded in January 2003 through a The effort was expanded in January 2003 through a workshop to identify indicators in six important workshop to identify indicators in six important regional focus areas.regional focus areas.

Background InformationBackground Information• Regional Effort to Coordinate Monitoring\ IndicatorsRegional Effort to Coordinate Monitoring\ Indicators

– VisionVision: A sustainable Northwest Atlantic ecosystem that : A sustainable Northwest Atlantic ecosystem that ensures environmental integrity and that supports and is ensures environmental integrity and that supports and is supported by economically viable, healthy human supported by economically viable, healthy human communities.communities.

– MissionMission: To track the status and trends in ecosystem : To track the status and trends in ecosystem integrity throughout the Northwest Atlantic region integrity throughout the Northwest Atlantic region through collaborative partnerships. To provide through collaborative partnerships. To provide information for management decisions at regional and information for management decisions at regional and local scales.local scales.

• The goal of the 2003 Indicators Workshop was to The goal of the 2003 Indicators Workshop was to develop consensus on key indicators though for develop consensus on key indicators though for which regional data would be compiled and tracked which regional data would be compiled and tracked to demonstrate trends in ecosystem integrity to demonstrate trends in ecosystem integrity throughout the Northwest Atlantic region.throughout the Northwest Atlantic region.

Background InformationBackground Information• Indicator Workshop focused on Indicator Workshop focused on

indicators applicable to the northeast indicators applicable to the northeast coastal region under six focus areascoastal region under six focus areas

• FisheriesFisheries

• ContaminantsContaminants

• EutrophicationEutrophication

• Coastal DevelopmentCoastal Development

• Aquatic HabitatAquatic Habitat

• Climate ChangeClimate Change

Why a regional effort?Why a regional effort?• Regional councils are gaining visibility Regional councils are gaining visibility

and importance because of:and importance because of:– Consistency in informing decision-makers Consistency in informing decision-makers

and public on progress in coastal and public on progress in coastal protection and restorationprotection and restoration

– Making sure we are monitoring the right Making sure we are monitoring the right thingsthings

– Address gaps between monitoring and Address gaps between monitoring and management by reaching out to management by reaching out to managers to ensure our work is relevantmanagers to ensure our work is relevant

– Working on constituency and meeting Working on constituency and meeting management needsmanagement needs

Information Identified Information Identified During BreakoutsDuring Breakouts

• For each of the six focus areasFor each of the six focus areas

– Conceptual ModelsConceptual Models– Key questionsKey questions– Indicators, spatial and temporal scales, Indicators, spatial and temporal scales,

and users of the data and users of the data

were discussed and modified as were discussed and modified as needed during the breakout sessionsneeded during the breakout sessions

Fisheries Top QuestionsFisheries Top Questions

What is the health of the fisheries with What is the health of the fisheries with regard to ecosystem integrity, regard to ecosystem integrity, including targeted and non-targeted including targeted and non-targeted species, habitat, and fisheries species, habitat, and fisheries activities?activities?

1)1) What are the trends in characteristics and the What are the trends in characteristics and the status of exploited fisheries species?status of exploited fisheries species?

2)2) What are the effects of fishing on non-targeted What are the effects of fishing on non-targeted species and their associated communities?species and their associated communities?

3)3) What are the effects of fishing and non-fishing What are the effects of fishing and non-fishing activities on marine habitat and fisheries activities on marine habitat and fisheries productivity?productivity?

4)4) What are the trends in the socioeconomic What are the trends in the socioeconomic characteristics of fisheries?characteristics of fisheries?

Fisheries IndicatorsFisheries Indicators

What are the trends in and the status of What are the trends in and the status of exploited fisheries stocks?exploited fisheries stocks?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Proportion of stocks at or above targeted Proportion of stocks at or above targeted

abundance or biomassabundance or biomass– Age/Size structure of species from surveys Age/Size structure of species from surveys

and/or landingsand/or landings– Spatial distribution of fisheries speciesSpatial distribution of fisheries species

• Spatial and Temporal Scales:Spatial and Temporal Scales: Range of Range of species or stocks; Annual to every 3-5 yearsspecies or stocks; Annual to every 3-5 years


What are the effects of fishing on non-What are the effects of fishing on non-targeted species and their associated targeted species and their associated communities?communities?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):

– Characteristics of bycatch and discardsCharacteristics of bycatch and discards– Population levels for selected speciesPopulation levels for selected species– Species DiversitySpecies Diversity

• Spatial and Temporal Scales:Spatial and Temporal Scales: Regional Regional based on populations or stock, based on populations or stock, biogeographic boundaries; Seasonal biogeographic boundaries; Seasonal


What are the effects of fishing and non-What are the effects of fishing and non-fishing activities on marine habitat and fishing activities on marine habitat and fisheries productivity?fisheries productivity?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Area closed to fishing, both pelagic and/or Area closed to fishing, both pelagic and/or

benthicbenthic– Benthic diversityBenthic diversity– Spatial distribution of bottom fishingSpatial distribution of bottom fishing

• Spatial and Temporal Scales:Spatial and Temporal Scales: Region wide Region wide (based on biogeographic boundaries); 1 to 5 (based on biogeographic boundaries); 1 to 5 years depending on habitat to annually to years depending on habitat to annually to continuous continuous


What are the trends in the What are the trends in the socioeconomic characteristics of socioeconomic characteristics of fishing?fishing?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Days at seaDays at sea– Fleet compositionFleet composition– Commercial and recreational fishing Commercial and recreational fishing

economic valueeconomic value– Angler satisfactionAngler satisfaction– Overcapitalized fleetsOvercapitalized fleets– Natural capital valueNatural capital value– Market value for consumersMarket value for consumers

Contaminants Top Contaminants Top QuestionsQuestions

1)1) How are contaminants in the region How are contaminants in the region changing?changing?

2)2) How is the input of contaminants How is the input of contaminants changing over time and space?changing over time and space?

3)3) Are management actions changing the Are management actions changing the extent and severity of human health extent and severity of human health effects?effects?

4)4) How well are contaminant management How well are contaminant management actions protecting ecosystem integrity?actions protecting ecosystem integrity?

Contaminants IndicatorsContaminants Indicators

How are contaminants in the region How are contaminants in the region changing?changing?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Area of sediments that have contaminant Area of sediments that have contaminant

levels above sediment quality guidelineslevels above sediment quality guidelines– Level of contaminants in representative Level of contaminants in representative

non-migratory organismsnon-migratory organisms– Area of shellfish bed closure by state by Area of shellfish bed closure by state by

yearyear– Days of beach closure due to bacterial Days of beach closure due to bacterial

contamination by state by yearcontamination by state by year

• Spatial and Temporal Scales:Spatial and Temporal Scales: Specific Specific water body scales; Event to Annual to water body scales; Event to Annual to DecadalDecadal

Contaminants IndicatorsContaminants IndicatorsHow is the input of contaminants changing over How is the input of contaminants changing over

time and space?time and space?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Annual chemical load to water bodies by Annual chemical load to water bodies by

statestate– Number of bacterial source investigations Number of bacterial source investigations

and sources eliminated by year by stateand sources eliminated by year by state

• Spatial and Temporal Scales:Spatial and Temporal Scales: Water Water bodies Region wide; Annual to source bodies Region wide; Annual to source specificspecific


Are management actions changing the extent Are management actions changing the extent and severity of human health effects?and severity of human health effects?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Incidences of human disease caused by Incidences of human disease caused by

consumption of fish and shellfish and consumption of fish and shellfish and recreational contactrecreational contact

– Level of contaminants in representative Level of contaminants in representative fish/shellfish and at-risk humansfish/shellfish and at-risk humans

– Annual number of beach and shellfish closures Annual number of beach and shellfish closures (reopenings)(reopenings)

• Spatial and Temporal Scales:Spatial and Temporal Scales: Water bodies Region Water bodies Region wide; Annual to source specific wide; Annual to source specific


How well are contaminant management actions How well are contaminant management actions protecting ecosystem integrity?protecting ecosystem integrity?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Sediment quality measure by triad approachSediment quality measure by triad approach– Incidence of diseaseIncidence of disease– Reproductive success Reproductive success – Quality of habitats as affected by Quality of habitats as affected by

contaminantscontaminants

• Spatial and Temporal ScalesSpatial and Temporal Scales: Water : Water bodies region wide; Annual to decadal scalesbodies region wide; Annual to decadal scales

Eutrophication Top Eutrophication Top QuestionsQuestions

1)1) What is the extent, severity, and trends of What is the extent, severity, and trends of eutrophication impacts?eutrophication impacts?

2)2) What are the sources of nutrients, can they be What are the sources of nutrients, can they be controlled, how are they changing?controlled, how are they changing?

3)3) What is the state of management measures What is the state of management measures and how can they be optimized?and how can they be optimized?

4)4) What are the appropriate indicators, What are the appropriate indicators, thresholds, and scales?thresholds, and scales?

5)5) What are the most important data gaps and What are the most important data gaps and research/monitoring needs? How can they be research/monitoring needs? How can they be translated to regional/national strategy?translated to regional/national strategy?

Eutrophication IndicatorsEutrophication Indicators

What is the extent, severity, and trends What is the extent, severity, and trends of eutrophication impacts?of eutrophication impacts?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Dissolved oxygenDissolved oxygen– Chlorophyll aChlorophyll a– Submerged aquatic vegetationSubmerged aquatic vegetation– Water clarityWater clarity

• Spatial and Temporal Scales:Spatial and Temporal Scales: Estuary- Estuary-wide; Seasonal to annual wide; Seasonal to annual


What are the sources of nutrients, can What are the sources of nutrients, can they be controlled, how are they they be controlled, how are they changing?changing?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s): ): – Measured and modeled loadsMeasured and modeled loads– Land use/cover (load proxy)Land use/cover (load proxy)– Population (load proxy)Population (load proxy)

• Spatial and Temporal ScalesSpatial and Temporal Scales: Regional; : Regional; Seasonal to annual to decadalSeasonal to annual to decadal


What is the state of management What is the state of management measures and how can they be measures and how can they be optimized?optimized?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Dissolved oxygenDissolved oxygen– Chlorophyll aChlorophyll a– Submerged aquatic vegetationSubmerged aquatic vegetation– Water clarityWater clarity– Measured and modeled loadsMeasured and modeled loads– Land use/cover (load proxy)Land use/cover (load proxy)– Population (load proxy)Population (load proxy)

Aquatic Habitat Top Aquatic Habitat Top QuestionsQuestions

Coastal Habitat = watersheds+ Coastal Habitat = watersheds+ estuaries+ near and offshoreestuaries+ near and offshore

– How is the extent, distribution, or How is the extent, distribution, or use of coastal habitats changing use of coastal habitats changing over time?over time?

– How is the ecological condition of How is the ecological condition of coastal habitats changing over time? coastal habitats changing over time?

– What are the causes of coastal What are the causes of coastal habitat change over time?habitat change over time?

Aquatic Habitat IndicatorsAquatic Habitat Indicators

How is the extent, distribution, or How is the extent, distribution, or use of coastal habitats changing use of coastal habitats changing over time?over time?

Indicator(s):Indicator(s):– Extent per habitat type over timeExtent per habitat type over time

•Large scale mapping, small scale ground Large scale mapping, small scale ground surveyssurveys

– Distribution per habitat typeDistribution per habitat type– Inventory of human useInventory of human use

•Area, percent of public vs. privateArea, percent of public vs. private•Area, percent designated for permanent Area, percent designated for permanent

habitat protection habitat protection


How is the ecological condition of coastal How is the ecological condition of coastal habitats changing over time? habitats changing over time?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Community StructureCommunity Structure

•Measure of change of relative Measure of change of relative abundance of species within habitatabundance of species within habitat

– Trophic StructureTrophic Structure– Species of ConcernSpecies of Concern


What are the causes of coastal habitat What are the causes of coastal habitat change over time?change over time?

• Indicator(s) of most important potential causes of Indicator(s) of most important potential causes of habitat loss and degradation (physical and habitat loss and degradation (physical and hydrologic alteration, nutrient loading, resource hydrologic alteration, nutrient loading, resource extraction, contaminants, climate change, extraction, contaminants, climate change, sediment input)sediment input)– Extent and percent habitat area altered by tidal Extent and percent habitat area altered by tidal

restrictionsrestrictions– Boat registrationsBoat registrations– Seagrass Nutrient Pollution IndexSeagrass Nutrient Pollution Index– Indicators relating to other causes assumed Indicators relating to other causes assumed

covered by other groupscovered by other groups

Coastal Development Coastal Development Top QuestionsTop Questions

1)1) What is the type, pattern, and What is the type, pattern, and rate of land use change?rate of land use change?

2)2) How are these changes impacting How are these changes impacting the integrity of coastal the integrity of coastal ecosystems?ecosystems?

3)3) How is the region responding to How is the region responding to changes in coastal ecosystems?changes in coastal ecosystems?

Coastal Development Coastal Development IndicatorsIndicators

What is the type, pattern, and rate of What is the type, pattern, and rate of land use change?land use change?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s): ): – Percent change in land cover to more Percent change in land cover to more

intensive uses intensive uses – Demographic changes (population, Demographic changes (population,

etc.)etc.)– Types of land uses and changeTypes of land uses and change


How are these changes impacting the How are these changes impacting the integrity of coastal ecosystems?integrity of coastal ecosystems?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Integrity of coastal ecosystems for:Integrity of coastal ecosystems for:

•Threatened and endangered Threatened and endangered coastal speciescoastal species

•Migratory speciesMigratory species

•Invasive speciesInvasive species


How is the region responding to changes How is the region responding to changes in coastal ecosystems?in coastal ecosystems?

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Land conservationLand conservation– Habitat RestorationHabitat Restoration– Land Management (planning, Land Management (planning,

regulatory, etc)regulatory, etc)

Climate Change Top Climate Change Top QuestionsQuestions

1)1) What are the causes?What are the causes?

2)2) What are the impacts of climate What are the impacts of climate changes to: weather, atmospheric changes to: weather, atmospheric & ocean circulation, ecosystems, & ocean circulation, ecosystems, and society. How vulnerable are and society. How vulnerable are we? we?

3)3) What are the societal responses?What are the societal responses?

Climate Change IndicatorsClimate Change Indicators

What are the impacts of climate changes What are the impacts of climate changes to: weather, atmospheric & ocean to: weather, atmospheric & ocean circulation, ecosystems, and society. circulation, ecosystems, and society.

• Indicator(sIndicator(s):):– Precipitation trendsPrecipitation trends– Storm frequency and intensityStorm frequency and intensity– Water temperature surface bottomWater temperature surface bottom– Relative sea level riseRelative sea level rise

• Spatial and Temporal Scales:Spatial and Temporal Scales: Regional; Regional; Annual to DecadalAnnual to Decadal

Climate Change IndicatorsClimate Change Indicators

What are the impacts of climate change What are the impacts of climate change on biotic ecosystems?on biotic ecosystems?

• Indicator(s):Indicator(s):– Warm vs. cold water finfish species diversityWarm vs. cold water finfish species diversity– Planktonic diversityPlanktonic diversity– Wetlands extent, distribution and Wetlands extent, distribution and

compositioncomposition– Marine diseases indices (i.e., MSX, dermo, Marine diseases indices (i.e., MSX, dermo,

shell disease)shell disease)

• Spatial and Temporal Scales: Spatial and Temporal Scales: Regional; Regional; AnnualAnnual

Year-One DeliverablesYear-One Deliverables

• Produce a region-wide monitoring and Produce a region-wide monitoring and indicators strategyindicators strategy– PrinciplesPrinciples

• Priority management issue and question drivenPriority management issue and question driven

• Partner relations intensivePartner relations intensive

• Phased implementation schedulePhased implementation schedule

• Resource sensitiveResource sensitive

• Demonstration orientedDemonstration oriented

Indicators Pilot ProjectIndicators Pilot Project

• Initiate demonstration pilot Initiate demonstration pilot – Define goals, audiences, usesDefine goals, audiences, uses– ContentContent

• Region-wide (1 theme) or sub-regional (multiple themes Region-wide (1 theme) or sub-regional (multiple themes & indicators)& indicators)

– Apply indicatorsApply indicators• Education, communication, outreach methods & materialsEducation, communication, outreach methods & materials

““a process of producing and communicating policy a process of producing and communicating policy relevant information on key interactions between relevant information on key interactions between

people and the natural environment”people and the natural environment”

Critical LinkagesCritical Linkages

• Management & regulator community Management & regulator community involvement to frame need & buy ininvolvement to frame need & buy in

• Monitoring & observing community to Monitoring & observing community to provide data & create synthetic productsprovide data & create synthetic products

• Scientific community to guide expanded Scientific community to guide expanded monitoring and identify research needsmonitoring and identify research needs

• People/Programs with lessons to sharePeople/Programs with lessons to share

Next Steps Next Steps “create solid foundation for sustained “create solid foundation for sustained

effort”effort”

• Form committee; set terms of Form committee; set terms of reference, goals & work plan; reference, goals & work plan; secure seed funds & hire secure seed funds & hire staff; and commence work on staff; and commence work on region-wide monitoring and region-wide monitoring and indicators strategyindicators strategy

• Disseminate concept & solicit Disseminate concept & solicit comments comments

• Produce strategy & seek Produce strategy & seek seed-funds seed-funds

• Spring 2004Spring 2004

• Summer & Summer & FallFall

• Winter Winter 2004/05 2004/05

Documents

Northwest Atlantic Coastal Indicators Workshop January 6-8, 2004 Durham, NH