Project Information

Title: LTM Program: Nearshore ecosystems in the Gulf of Alaska 19120114-H

Project Year and Number: 2019: 19120114-H

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2023: 23120114-H , 2022: 22120114-H , 2021: 21120114-H, 2020: 20120114-H, 2018: 18120114-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 (National Park Service), Brenda Konar (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Katrin Iken (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Dan Esler (USGS), Brenda Ballachey (USGS), Jim Bodkin (USGS), Kim Kloecker (USGS), Daniel Monson (USGS), Tom Dean (Coastal Resources), 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, Harlequin Ducks, 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 includes 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 FY19, we propose to continue sampling in Kachemak Bay (KBAY), Katmai National Park and Preserve (KATM), Kenai Fjords National Park (KEFJ), and Western Prince William Sound (WPWS) following previously established methods. Monitoring metrics include marine invertebrates, macroalgae, 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. In FY18, sea star observations continue to include some recruitment and recovery in WPWS and KEFJ but not in KBAY or KATM. We would expect a lag in recovery in these latter two regions as the disease seemed to move across the GOA from the east to the west; however, total star counts remain low across all sites following the large sea star die-off that began in 2015. We also initiated marine bird and mammal surveys and black oystercatcher productivity monitoring as well as increased sea otter foraging data collection efforts in FY18 in KBAY. We are not proposing any major changes to this project or budget for FY19.


Proposal: View (920 KB)

Reports:
Annual Report FY19: View (967 KB)
Final Report: See Project 21120114-H

Publications from this Project: None Available