Introduction Section I – Integrated Science Directions for fy 2005
Download 345.21 Kb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- (Contacts: Scott Phillips, Dave Russ, and Martha Garcia) Puget Sound
- Frank Shipley and John Haines. Coastal Louisiana.
- Colleen Charles, Martha Garcia and Dawn Lavoie.
Chesapeake BayThe ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay, the Nation's largest estuary, has been in decline due to poor water quality, loss of habitat, and over harvesting. These conditions have adversely affected DOI trust resources including interjurisdictional fisheries, migratory water birds, and their associated habitats. The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP), which includes the states in the Bay watershed and the Federal Government (including three DOI Bureaus), developed Chesapeake 2000, which is a 10-year plan for restoration of the Bay and its watershed. To support the expanded technical needs of Chesapeake 2000, the USGS began in 2001 to carry out a 5-year science plan that coordinates studies, carried out through multiple USGS Programs and science teams, to provide unbiased scientific information to understand, protect, and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. The studies provide information on the ecosystem linkages between land-use, generation of sediment and nutrients, and the impact on water quality, habitats, and living resources in the Bay. Studies being conducted between 2001 to 2005/6 have helped the CBP formulate restoration strategies to attempt to meet the goals of Chesapeake 2000. With the restoration strategies now being implemented, the CBP is in need of science to understand ecosystem response to population growth, management actions, and natural variability. The information is needed to help assess and adapt management strategies in 2007 in an attempt to meet restoration goals in 2010. Additionally, DOI is requesting expanded science to meet the needs of USFWS Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem Plan and the new needs associated with the NPS study to include parts of the Bay and its watershed in the NPS system. To meet the expanded needs of DOI and the ongoing needs of the CBP, USGS Chesapeake Bay Studies in FY05 will be completing planned projects, integrating information for synthesis products, and revising its science plan to reflect projects to be conducted in 2006-2010. The CBP and DOI have requested the USGS addresses several topics including: (1) rates and forecasting of land-cover change, (2) the sources and transport of sediment, nutrients, and contaminants to the Bay, (3) determine the impact of these stresses on vital habitats in the Bay (water quality to support fisheries, submerged aquatic vegetation, tidal wetlands, and stream corridors) and (4) enhance decision-support systems for delivering information. In FY05, the USGS Chesapeake Bay studies will work with multiple USGS programs to identify potential projects that can be conducted in FY06-2010 to understand these issues to help DOI and CBP formulate, and evaluate the effectiveness of, strategies to restore the function and integrity of these vital habitats. (Contacts: Scott Phillips, Dave Russ, and Martha Garcia)
The Western Fisheries Research Center studies aquatic invasive species and the life history and disease effect on the Pacific salmon and other fish populations. These groups (Coastal and Marine Geology Program and Western Fisheries) will continue to plan and participate in integrated research in Puget Sound with emphasis on coastal transport and ecosystem processes, salmon restoration science, landscape ecology, and geologic hazard evaluations. The Coastal and Marine Geology Program intends to provide $160,000 in OE. Additional funding may be available depending on the ability/interest of the Coastal & Marine teams to meet existing objectives while redirecting staff and resources to support this new effort. Contacts: Frank Shipley and John Haines.
|