Project Information

Title: LTM Program: Nearshore ecosystems in the Gulf of Alaska 18120114-H

Project Year and Number: 2018: 18120114-H

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, 2017: 17120114-H, 2016: 16120114-L, 2016: 16120114-R, 2015: 15120114-L, 2015: 15120114-R, 2014: 14120114-L, 2014: 14120114-R, 2013: 13120114-L, 2013: 13120114-R, 2012: 12120114-L, 2012: 12120114-R

Principal Investigator (PI): Heather Coletti (NPS), Dan Esler (USGS), Brenda Konar (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Katrin Iken (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Brenda Ballachey (USGS), Jim Bodkin (USGS), Tom Dean (Coastal Resources), Kim Kloecker (USGS), Daniel Monson (USGS), Ben Weitzman (NOAA)

Managing Agency: USNPS

Assisting Personnel: None

Project Website: https://gulfwatchalaska.org/monitoring/nearshore-ecosystems/

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

Restoration Category: Monitoring

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

Abstract:

Nearshore monitoring in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) provides ongoing evaluation of the status and trend of more than 200 species, including many of those injured by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS). The monitoring design includes spatial, temporal and ecological features that support inference regarding drivers of change. Application of this monitoring design to date include assessment of change in sea otter populations in relation to EVOS recovery and density dependent factors as well as the assessment of the relative roles of static versus dynamic environmental drivers in structuring benthic communities. Continued monitoring will lead to a better understanding of variation in the nearshore ecosystem across the GOA and a more thorough evaluation of the status of spill-injured resources. This information will be critical for anticipating and responding to ongoing and future perturbations in the region, as well as providing for global contrasts. In 2018 we propose to continue sampling in Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Western Prince William Sound following previously established methods. Monitoring metrics include marine invertebrates, macroalgae, sea grasses, birds, mammals, and physical parameters such as temperature. In addition to taxon-specific metrics, monitoring includes recognized important ecological relations such as predator-prey dynamics, measures of nearshore ecosystem productivity, and contamination. Preliminary FY17 observations indicate low sea star densities across all four regions, while nearshore bird surveys of common murre distributions have returned to pre die-off states. We are not proposing any major changes to this project for FY18.


Proposal: View (1,034 KB)

Reports:
Annual Report FY18: View (1,361 KB)
Final Report: See Project 21120114-H

Publications from this Project: None Available