SFS Annual Meeting

5/21/2019  |   11:00 - 11:15   |  150 DEF

ISSUES IN MOVING FROM ADAPTATION SCIENCE TO APPLICATION AND DECISION MAKING There have been advances in the development of frameworks and methods for vulnerability assessment and adaptation design. These have been motivated by the recognition that uncertainty in defining future environmental conditions and risks of extreme weather events must now be considered to assure the viability of individual restoration or other management projects and the longer-term achievement of overall management objectives. Still, the assessment of vulnerability to changing environmental conditions and stressors can be demanding in terms of the level of effort potentially required for the analysis and the scope of data needed. There are similar challenges associated with utilizing assessment results to review and redesign restoration or other management actions to be resilient under such changing conditions. We have worked to develop structured approaches to guide managers through the adaptation design process, applicable to a range of aquatic (and other) ecosystems, but still observe a disconnect between concepts of adaptation and their incorporation into existing decision processes. We will outline what we perceive as contributing impediments, and how better recognition of the key information needed by decision makers could help streamline the adaptation process and facilitate wider use.

Anna Hamilton (Primary Presenter/Author), Tetra Tech Center for Ecological Sciences, Anna.Hamilton@tetratech.com;


Britta Bierwagen (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), US EPA, bierwagen.britta@epa.gov;


Jennifer Stamp (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Tetra Tech Center for Ecological Sciences, Jen.Stamp@tetratech.com;


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5/21/2019  |   11:15 - 11:30   |  150 DEF

SALT MARSH VULNERABILITIES TO SEA LEVEL RISE: LINKING ASSESSMENT TO ADAPTATION IN THE DELAWARE ESTUARY The loss of coastal wetlands and their ecosystem services is a particularly serious problem in the Delaware Estuary. Decreases due to erosion, nutrient enrichment, and hydrological alterations are being exacerbated and accelerated by ongoing sea level rise (SLR). Yet it has been difficult for programs to integrate adaptation to SLR into their planning processes. Here, we demonstrate a path forward using the Relative Wetland Vulnerabilities Framework (RWVF), an approach that: brings greater consistency to the terminology used in vulnerability assessments; helps ensure that all components of vulnerability are considered; presents results in a way that clearly shows the exposure-response relationship; and allows flexibility in the choice of system attributes and tools of focus. We apply the RWVF to three different management examples, centered on preservation of: (1) saltmarsh sparrow nesting habitat (high marsh), (2) blue crab nursery habitat (low marsh), and (3) flood protection (total marsh). The results illustrate the importance of clearly defining management objectives at the outset (what are you managing for/what ecosystem services do you care most about?) and provide examples of flexible and tractable ways that vulnerability information can be integrated into planning processes.

Jordan M. West (Primary Presenter/Author), U.S. EPA/ORD, West.Jordan@epa.gov;


Jen Stamp (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Tetra Tech, jen.stamp@tetratech.com;


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5/21/2019  |   11:30 - 11:45   |  150 DEF

SAVING SALTMARSHES FROM SEA LEVEL RISE: A DIALOGUE ABOUT INTEGRATING SCIENCE WITH REGULATORY PERSPECTIVES The current rate of sea level rise (SLR) along the Mid Atlantic coastline is nearly twice that of the global average. There is concern that coastal wetland loss may be significantly accelerated under future SLR scenarios. As a result, there will be significant loss of the valuable ecosystem services wetlands provide such as flood control, storm surge buffering, protecting water quality, and serving as a nursery area for fisheries. Resource managers struggle to adapt to these changing realities and few options are available. Adaption practices require regulatory approval, however, effectiveness of novel approaches such as thin layer placement is not widely understood by regulators. Resource managers and regulators need to understand the current science behind marsh vulnerability and novel adaptation approaches to assess the need and appropriateness of these adaptation measures. Using this example, we would like to provide suggestions on the broader issue of creating dialogue among researchers and regulators/resource managers and offer observations on how to more successfully integrate science into management of natural resources in a changing environment.

Regina Poeske (Primary Presenter/Author), USEPA Region 3, poeske.regina@epa.gov;


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5/21/2019  |   11:45 - 12:00   |  150 DEF

COMMUNICATING TRADE OFF OPTIONS TO MANAGEMENT AND THE PUBLIC AS A WAY OF INFORMING MANAGEMENT DECISIONS: INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DATA Massachusetts Bay National Estuary Program (Mass Bay NEP)has identified salt marsh habitat as one of it primary resources in need of protection and restoration. To foster public understanding of the environmental, economic and social implications of different management options, Mass Bay NEP is embarking on a multi-pronged approach to align diverse sources and types of data and information e.g. biology, chemistry, hydrology, land use, historical records. We will present how Mass Bays NEP is considering pairing ecosystem services with changes in environmental datasets using salt marsh habitat as a case study.

Margerita Pryor (Primary Presenter/Author), US EPA, pryor.margerita@epa.gov;


Pamela DiBona (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Mass Bays National Estuary Program, pamela.dibona@mass.gov;


Prassede Velle (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Mass Bays National Estuary Program, prassede.velle@state.mas.us;


Emily Shumchenia (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), E&C Enviroscape, Inc., emily.shumchenia@gmail.com;


Susan Jackson (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Jackson.Susank@epa.gov;


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5/21/2019  |   12:00 - 12:15   |  150 DEF

ASSESSING CONDITION AND VULNERABILITY OF HEALTHY WATERSHEDS IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION The Chesapeake Bay Program has a goal of maintaining the long-term health of watersheds identified as healthy by its seven partner jurisdictions. Quantitative indicators are important to assess current watershed condition, track future condition, and assess vulnerability of these watersheds to future degradation. Building upon EPA’s Preliminary Healthy Watershed Assessment (PHWA) framework, we assembled and evaluated a set of candidate metrics characterizing multiple aspects of landscape condition, hydrology, geomorphology, habitat, biological condition, and water quality, for integration into an overall watershed health index. Geospatial analyses were structured, where possible, to leverage data from EPA StreamCat, the National Fish Habitat Partnership, the Chesapeake Bay model for nutrient loads, and other regional sources. Vulnerability metrics were derived including future developed land use, forest loss, protected land status, and brook trout susceptibility to climate change. Metric values were compiled for nearly 84,000 NHDPlus catchments Bay-wide, particularly within catchments comprising the state-identified healthy watersheds. We will discuss the major concepts addressed by the Chesapeake PHWA, key findings, and next steps. The indicators will be available to federal, state, and local managers as a geospatial tool, providing critical information for maintaining watershed health.

Christopher Wharton (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), TetraTech, Inc., Christopher.Wharton@tetratech.com;


Sam Sarkar (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Tetra Tech, sam.sarkar@tetratech.com;


Brian Pickard (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Tetra Tech, brian.pickard@tetratech.com;


Nancy Roth (Primary Presenter/Author), Tetra Tech, nancy.roth@tetratech.com;


Renee Thompson (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Chesapeake Bay Program - USGS, rthompso@chesapeakebay.net;


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