science collaborative - angela doroff

Kachemak BayResearch ReserveNational Estuarine Research Reserve System

The Big Goal of the Science Collaborative: funding science that gets applied

• Resources to integrate science and Resources to integrate science and managementmanagement

• Engagement of intended users throughout Engagement of intended users throughout the processthe process


Planning for a Changing Landscape Planning for a Changing Landscape • Research ProjectResearch Project: Assessing Coastal Uplift & Habitat Changes in a

Glacially Influenced Estuary System

• Research TeamResearch Team: Angela Doroff –Principal Investigator (KBRR), Megan Murphy Integration Lead (KBRR), Steve Baird Co-Principal Investigator (KBRR), Jeff Freymueller Co-Principal investigator (UAF)

• Core Intended UsersCore Intended Users: City of Homer’s Office of the Mayor, Port and Harbor, and Planning and Zoning Office, Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Office of the Mayor, Seldovia Village Tribe, Kachemak Bay NERR Community Council, Kenai Peninsula Coastal Management Program, NOAA Kasitsna Bay Laboratory, Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water

• Project TimelineProject Timeline: 9/2010 to 9/2013

• For more informationFor more information: www.kbayrr.org


KBRR Science Collaborative Idea Statement

• Land-Level ChangesLand-Level Changes– EarthquakesEarthquakes– Since 1964, models have projected uplift of up to 60cm in the Bay

area. – The models were based on a limited number of sites near

Kachemak Bay. – Glaciers are melting at a fairly rapid rate Glaciers are melting at a fairly rapid rate – The weight released from the earth’s surface as glaciers retreat has

caused rebound or uplift.

• Relative Sea Level RiseRelative Sea Level Rise– Important to understand sea level rise projections in the

context of land level change

• The waters in Kachemak Bay are fed by 15 glaciersThe waters in Kachemak Bay are fed by 15 glaciers– The increased melt water is rich in nutrients and sediments

which influence the community ecology in the Bay.


What We Hope to Accomplish

• A final report that summarizes land and sea level A final report that summarizes land and sea level changes in our area and provide information to our changes in our area and provide information to our partners in a useful and efficient way to assist with local partners in a useful and efficient way to assist with local decision making processesdecision making processes

• Establishment of long-term monitoring sites to continue Establishment of long-term monitoring sites to continue to monitor changes beyond the study periodto monitor changes beyond the study period

• Develop a team of well trained Citizen Scientists who can Develop a team of well trained Citizen Scientists who can participate in the long-term monitoring participate in the long-term monitoring

• Through outreach and education, identify additional Through outreach and education, identify additional users of the information generated users of the information generated


Process: 1Process: 1stst Meeting Meeting• The Principal Investigators and Core Intended Users The Principal Investigators and Core Intended Users

of the information met on 30 Nov 2010of the information met on 30 Nov 2010• We introduced a Collaborative Learning method as a We introduced a Collaborative Learning method as a

guiding process for the studyguiding process for the study• We discussed project methods and data We discussed project methods and data

interpretationinterpretation• We reviewed how the data can be used by people on We reviewed how the data can be used by people on

the teamthe team• We identified other people/agencies who could We identified other people/agencies who could

contribute to this studycontribute to this study


Updating a Land-level Change ModelUpdating a Land-level Change Model


Measuring Coastal Uplift on Non-bedrock Sites Measuring Coastal Uplift on Non-bedrock Sites

Salt Marsh SiteStatus Relative to Glacial Melt water Comments

Sadie Cove>100 years w/o glacial input

China PootNo major input since 1964

Altered flow post 1964 quake

Fox River Flats Strong inputalso ground water input

Beluga SloughNo input since the last little ice age?

primarily ground & rain water

HOMER

SELDOVIA

KASITSNA BAY

KACHEMAK SELO


Emergent Vegetation and SubstrateEmergent Vegetation and Substrate: building on : building on previous KBRR Studies and adding new sitesprevious KBRR Studies and adding new sites

•1st order vegetation mapping carried out at all sites

•Beluga Slough and Fox River flats have vertically stable benchmarks and validation of vegetation classifications

•Similar work will be conducted for Sadie Cove and China Poot marshes summer 2011

•Additional monitoring will be added to all sites

•Temperature•Water level•Assessment of sediment accretion


Biological Diversity: beyond vegetationBiological Diversity: beyond vegetation

•Setting up a framework for long-term monitoring Setting up a framework for long-term monitoring

•At each study site, 6 transects will be randomly At each study site, 6 transects will be randomly selectedselected

•A 100mA 100m2 2 plot will be sampled at high and low plot will be sampled at high and low marsh levelsmarsh levels

•Biologists and community monitors document Biologists and community monitors document diversity and relative abundance for the following:diversity and relative abundance for the following:

•Infaunal invertebrates•Insects in the vegetation•Fish diversity •Mammals (presence) •Birds

Proposed Study DesignProposed Study Design


Citizen Science, BioBlitz, and Discovery Labs: building Citizen Science, BioBlitz, and Discovery Labs: building on KBRR education and outreach strengthson KBRR education and outreach strengths

• Information building blocks will be included in Discovery Labs

• Dedicated training on inventory and monitoring techniques for Citizen Science support

• Working hand in hand with staff biologists

• Providing opportunities to students


How will this be accomplished?How will this be accomplished?

• We will be evaluating and We will be evaluating and adapting our list of adapting our list of project outcomes through project outcomes through our regularly scheduled our regularly scheduled quarterly CIU meetingsquarterly CIU meetings

• We will be getting a little We will be getting a little bit of mud on us in the bit of mud on us in the local salt marsheslocal salt marshes

• We will all learn We will all learn something useful! something useful!

science collaborative - angela doroff

Education

sea level changes

context of land level

bay area

water input beluga slough

landlevel change model

major input

sea level rise projections

coastal uplift habitat