long term monitoring of nearshore habitats in the gulf of alaska: why and how? james l. bodkin usgs,...
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Long term monitoring of nearshore habitats in the Gulf of Alaska:
Why and How?
James L. BodkinJames L. Bodkin
USGS, Alaska Science CenterUSGS, Alaska Science Center
Thomas A. DeanThomas A. Dean
Coastal Resources Associates, Inc.Coastal Resources Associates, Inc.
ObjectivesObjectives Demonstrate social and economic benefit to Demonstrate social and economic benefit to
monitoringmonitoring
Requires understanding changeRequires understanding change Responding in a timely wayResponding in a timely way
Describe the Nearshore component of a Describe the Nearshore component of a ecosystem-based program to monitor and ecosystem-based program to monitor and manage the Gulf of Alaskamanage the Gulf of Alaska
Recovery and restoration valueRecovery and restoration value A design to understand cause and enable A design to understand cause and enable
managementmanagement
Why Monitor?Why Monitor?
ESA direct annual recovery costs in 2003ESA direct annual recovery costs in 2003
Spotted owl
California Condor
Chinook Salmon*
Black footed ferret
Steller Sea lion
5.1 million
3.4 million
123 million
2.3 million
49.5 million
Indirect costsIndirect costs
Calif. Gnatcatcher 0.5 million in 2003Calif. Gnatcatcher 0.5 million in 2003
Plus an estimated 300 million/year in indirect costsPlus an estimated 300 million/year in indirect costs
Spotted owl Spotted owl 5.1 million in 2003 5.1 million in 2003
Plus an estimated 21-46 billion in indirect costs to Plus an estimated 21-46 billion in indirect costs to assure a 91-95% probability of population viabilityassure a 91-95% probability of population viability
Associated with habitat protection/acquisition, lost jobs, and lost revenues
Can we limit these costs?Can we limit these costs?
The example of the Brown Pelican The example of the Brown Pelican (listed in 1970, 0.6 million direct costs (listed in 1970, 0.6 million direct costs in 2003)in 2003)
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
bree
ding
pai
rs
The example The example of the sea of the sea otter in otter in CA and AKCA and AK
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
# s
ea
ott
ers
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
Decline detected
ESA listing
Rat Islands, Aleutians
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
# s
ea
ott
ers
800
1200
1600
2000
2400
Decline detected
Mgmt action
California
?
SummarySummary
Letting species decline to the point of becoming endangered Letting species decline to the point of becoming endangered has high social and economic costshas high social and economic costs
Monitoring provides an early warning system that enables Monitoring provides an early warning system that enables management by identifying human activities that are adversely management by identifying human activities that are adversely affecting natural resources prior to requiring regulatory actionaffecting natural resources prior to requiring regulatory action
Manageable human effects include invasive species, Manageable human effects include invasive species, contaminants, mortality, disturbance, and habitat modificationcontaminants, mortality, disturbance, and habitat modification
Monitoring the Gulf of Monitoring the Gulf of AlaskaAlaska
To detect changeTo detect change To understand causesTo understand causes
To predict future changeTo predict future change To informTo inform
To contribute to problem solvingTo contribute to problem solving
Why the nearshore ?Why the nearshore ?
11 of 15 non-recovered resources are included in the Nearshore plan
Nearshore Web
Linkages to other habitats
Nearshore Web
LinkagesOffshore Watersheds
4 Regions 12 Blocks
4 Intensive Blocks
NearshoreSamplingDesign
NearshoreSamplingDesign
(each region)
10 Intensive Sites6 Selected Sites
60 Extensive Sites
Shoreline SurveysBirds and mammalsSea otters
Regions
Nearshore Birds and Marine Mammals- Abundance- Diet- Productivity
Intensive Blocks
Intertidal/Subtidal Communities- Density- Productivity- Diversity
Physical Measures
Sites - Intensive
- Abundance- Sizes
Sites - Extensive
- Contaminants
Subsistence Food
Understanding Causes for Change
Spatial / Temporal Patterns of ChangeSpatial / Temporal Patterns of Change Trophic RelationsTrophic Relations Productivity/GrowthProductivity/Growth Size and Age structures Size and Age structures Research FundResearch Fund
Design features
GOA Marine Science: An EVOS Legacy
Exxon ValdezOil spill
Trustee Council