Project Information

Title: LTM Program - Nearshore Benthic Ecosystems in the Gulf of Alaska 16120114-R

Project Year and Number: 2016: 16120114-R

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2024: 24120114-H , 2023: 23120114-H , 2022: 22120114-H , 2021: 21120114-H, 2020: 20120114-H, 2019: 19120114-H, 2018: 18120114-H, 2017: 17120114-H, 2015: 15120114-R, 2014: 14120114-R, 2013: 13120114-R, 2012: 12120114-R

Principal Investigator (PI): Brenda Ballachey (USGS), Heather Coletti (National Park Service)

Managing Agency: USGS

Assisting Personnel: None

Project Website: https://gulfwatchalaska.org/monitoring/nearshore-ecosystems/nearshore-benthic-systems-in-the-gulf-of-alaska/

Research Location: Prince William Sound, Gulf of Alaska, Kachemak Bay, Katmai, Kenai Fjords

Restoration Category: Monitoring

Injured Resources Addressed: Black Oystercatchers, Clams, Harlequin Ducks, Intertidal Organisms, Mussels, Sea Otters, Sediments, Subtidal Organisms

Abstract:

This project is a component of Gulf Watch Alaska: Integrated Long-Term Monitoring of Marine Conditions and Injured Resources and Services. For the Nearshore Benthic ecosystem component, we have implemented a long-term monitoring program at five locations across the GOA, including sampling areas in Western, Northern and Eastern Prince William Sound (PWS), Kenai Fjords National Park, and Katmai National Park and Preserve. Additional nearshore sampling as part of Gulf Watch Alaska is ongoing in Kachemak Bay (Project 12120114-L) and is closely coordinated with this project. The Gulf Watch Alaska nearshore program is integrated with nearshore monitoring implemented in 2006 by the National Park Service to cost-effectively monitor nearshore ecosystems across the central and western Gulf of Alaska, including spill-affected areas, and provide information on recovery and restoration of injured resources. We propose to (1) continue sampling Katmai NPP, Kenai Fjords NP, and Western PWS annually (2015 & 2016; all 3 areas previously sampled in multiple years starting in 2006), and (2) sample Northern PWS in 2015 (previously sampled in 2013) and Eastern PWS in 2016 (previously sampled in 2012 and 2014). We will continue to coordinate with the ongoing nearshore monitoring program in Kachemak Bay. Monitoring metrics include marine invertebrates, kelps, sea grasses, birds, mammals, and physical parameters. In addition to taxa-specific metrics, monitoring includes recognized important ecological relations that include predator-prey dynamics, measures of nearshore ecosystem productivity, and contamination. The nearshore benthic monitoring program also will integrate physical data collected in PWS, along the GOA shelf and in Cook Inlet, under the Environmental Drivers component of the GWA long-term monitoring program.


Proposal: View (102 KB)

Reports:
Final Report: View (19,602 KB)

Publications from this Project: None Available