IAN eNewsletter Articles - Integration and Application Network

Course in communicating science effectively

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:34:59 -0500

The Integration and Application Network is conducting a 3-day course in communicating science effectively. The course is being held in Cambridge, Maryland, 1-3 May, 2012. The hands-on approach means that participants come away from the course with the technical skills to effectively communicate scientific information in a variety of communication products. Further details and online registration are available on the course website.

The 1st Annual Chesapeake Bay Report Card Photo Contest

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:34:59 -0500

Do you have great photos from around the Bay? We want to see them! Your photo could be on the cover of the 2011 Chesapeake Bay Report Card and become the icon of 2011 Bay health. Last year was memorable for the weather, the lack of sea nettles, and, of course, your experiences on and around the Bay. Take a few minutes to look back on what you enjoyed last year and share those memories with us. Submit your photos from 2011 weather events, water quality monitoring, or that monster fish that you caught, by March 15th and you could win $250, your photo on the cover of the report card, inclusion in the 2013 IAN calendar, and have your framed photo hang in the UMCES Annapolis Office.

South East Queensland Floods 2011 newsletter #4

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:34:59 -0500

During the January 2011 flood, millions of tonnes of soil were washed from the upper catchments into the Brisbane River by fast-flowing flood waters. The soil formed a brown plume which extended from the river mouth into Moreton Bay. As the flow of the water slowed, fine soil particles (mud) settled within the Brisbane Estuary and Moreton Bay. As a result, many kilometers of the once-sandy bottom of the Bay are now covered by a thick mud layer loaded with nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen. This newsletter explores the short- and long-term impacts of the mud and nutrients on aquatic habitats and the animals and plants living within them. The impacts include mud smothering the bottom of Moreton Bay, excess nutrients and nuisance algae blooms, and corals with signs of stress such as bleaching.

The Central Role of Dispersal in the Maintenance and Persistence of Seagrass Populations

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:34:59 -0500

Global seagrass losses parallel significant declines in corals and mangroves over the past 50 years. These combined declines have resulted in accelerated global losses to ecosystem services in coastal waters. Seagrass meadows can be extensive and long-lived. This article explores the role that sexual reproduction, pollen, and seed dispersal play in maintaining species distributions, genetic diversity, and connectivity among populations. It also addresses the relationship between long-distance dispersal, genetic connectivity, and the maintenance of genetic diversity that may enhance resilience to stresses associated with seagrass loss. This re-evaluation of seagrass dispersal and recruitment has altered the perception of the importance of long-distance dispersal and has revealed extensive dispersal at scales much larger than was previously thought possible.

Bacteria sampling and data analysis protocol

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:34:59 -0500

This document develops a clear and consistent protocol for the identification, collection, and analysis of the indicator of bacteria. Specifically, this document serves as an addendum to the Sampling and data analysis protocols for Mid-Atlantic tidal tributary indicators which provides guidelines for the successful production of tidal ecosystem health report cards. The bacteria protocol was written and reviewed by the MTAC group and Ecocheck. This document is intended for use in tidal areas only, as the ecosystem health indicator and thresholds discussed are pertinent only to tidal ecosystems.

Happy New Year from IAN

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:07:42 -0500

From everyone at the Integration & Application Network, we'd like to wish you a happy and productive year ahead. We have a new logo for 2012 and look forward to providing a wide variety of new products and services in the coming year.

Baltimore Harbor Assessment

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:07:42 -0500

The Integration & Application Network worked with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore (WPB) to assess the current health status of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Using six ecological indicators and three human health indicators, the current health of Baltimore's Harbor was evaluated and reported in a baseline report card. An extensive technical report was produced that included additional tidal indicators and watershed (non-tidal) indicators. This project is part of the WPB's larger plan to make the Harbor swimmable and fishable by 2020. The report card will be updated annually.

Seagrass Calendar 2012

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:07:42 -0500

Produced in association with the World Seagrass Association, this 2012 calendar features a different seagrass genus every month. Along with fantastic photos from around the globe, the calendar contains detailed illustrations from the IAN symbol libraries.

100 million symbols downloaded

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:07:42 -0500

Since their first public release in 2003, more than 100 million symbols from the IAN symbol libraries have been downloaded by users from 235 countries. Particulary popular has been the new SVG and PNG (raster) versions, facilitating more users with a variety of software packages to utilize the symbols. In the last 18 months since the release of the online conceptual diagram creator, 11,000 symbols have been used by 1,300 people to create diagrams without the need for specialized vector graphics software.

Welcome to Liza Hernandez and Daniel Levey

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:07:42 -0500

Liza Hernandez has joined UMCES and IAN as the Tidal Monitoring Analyst at the Chesapeake Bay Program Office. Liza received her Master's in Marine Science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary. Previously, Liza worked as a NOAA trustee on vessels conducting research on the Gulf of Mexico. She looks forward to working closely with colleagues to develop the upcoming Chesapeake Bay report card, to provide assistant to the modeling team at the Bay Program, and to work towards the vision and mission of the Tidal Monitoring & Analysis Workgroup, of which she serves as the coordinator. In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors, going to the beach, traveling and learning, spending time with her dog, Lucy, and photography. Daniel Levey has joined IAN as a Science Communication Intern. He recently graduated high school and plans to attend Catholic University in the fall of 2012. Daniel has been assisting on a number of projects, including the IAN image and symbol libraries, the IAN Barrier Island /Sea-level Rise module, and seminar series videos. In his free time, Daniel enjoys making music and playing sports.

A vision for the Gulf of Mexico Report Card

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:43:10 -0500

The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, has partnered with IAN and Harwell Gentile & Associates, LC, to develop a vision for a report card on the health of the Gulf of Mexico. The report card will be a graphical representation of the environmental condition of the Gulf that is scientifically based, widely accessible, and readily understandable by policy-makers, stakeholders, scientists, and, most importantly, the general public. The vision document uses birds and seagrass ecosystems as prototypes for two components of the report card. The Report Card prototype was unveiled on December 7 at the Gulf of Mexico Summit in Houston, TX. Next steps include engaging the science community to divide the Gulf into manageable components based on habitats, geographical and/or political boundaries, and develop metrics to assess each component.

New UMCES Annapolis Office

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:43:10 -0500

The Annapolis Synthesis Center office has re-located from Cathedral St. The newly named UMCES Annapolis Office is adjacent to the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) at One Park Place. We are excited about the opportunities for collaboration with SESYNC. The UMCES facility has a state-of-the-art electronic conference room with interactive video and voice conference capabilities as well as high-speed wireless connectivity and projection capabilities. It is available for meetings, training courses, and workshops pending scheduling availability.

UMCES researchers attend biennial Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation Conference

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:43:10 -0500

IAN and UMCES researchers attended the biennial Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation's conference in Daytona Beach, Florida in early November 2011. This international conference brings together all the diverse disciplines within coastal and estuarine science, such as geochemistry, physical oceanography, biological systems, management, and education. Several IAN researchers presented on their integrated assessments of Baltimore Harbor, National Park Service parks, and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as attended plenary and poster sessions.

Department of Natural Resources partnership

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:43:10 -0500

Jeffrey Allenby and Marcus Griswold joined IAN/UMCES through a partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Jeff has been working with local communities to help realize and proactively adapt to climate change and coastal hazards, updating Maryland's Coastal Atlas, partnering with Maryland SeaGrant and the Coastal Training Program, and serving as an expert for the Assateague Island project. Previously, he worked at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation managing a field education program throughout the state. In his free time he enjoys running, mountain biking, photography, and trying out new recipes. Marcus is assisting with a multi-university climate change education initiative (MADE CLEAR) and works to move forward state and local climate adaptation practices and policies. He comes from the non-profit, private, and academic sector with a focus on evaluating the impacts of watershed degradation on aquatic ecosystems and the role of restoration and best management practices in enhancing biodiversity and water quality. Marcus enjoys most anything outdoors, from kayaking and hiking, to photography and urban vegetable gardening.

Chesapeake Bay Summer Review

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:18:50 -0500

EcoCheck (NOAA-UMCES partnership) has released the 2011 summer review. This year's summer conditions were influenced by high spring river flow, hot summer air temperatures, and late summer storms. Dissolved oxygen conditions were poor this summer, with the second largest volume of anoxic waters during late July in the last 25 years. Strong winds during Hurricane Irene mixed oxygen from the surface to the bottom waters during August and the volume of anoxic waters shrunk dramatically. Tropical Storm Lee brought heavy rains to an already saturated watershed, resulting in flooding of many rivers and washing tons of dirt and debris into the system. When compared to the forecast, the anoxic volume was greater than predicted for the early summer. The late summer anoxia forecast was for larger than the observed volume, which decreased due to the hurricane-driven mixing.

Healthy Darwin Harbour: Pathways and Partnerships newsletter

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:18:50 -0500

Darwin Harbour is globally significant as a tropical, macrotidal, monsoonal harbour that is generally in very good condition. There are major development proposals for Darwin Harbour, including significant plans for population growth, industrial expansion and resource processing infrastructure, and consequent increases in shipping and dredging. These developments pose risks for the natural, cultural, aesthetic, and recreational values of the Harbour, which need to be managed. This newsletter introduces research and monitoring partnerships and priorities that will be developed over coming months to establish a strategic, long-term, integrated monitoring and research program for the benefit of Darwin Harbour and its stakeholders.

Characterization and Comparison of Stream Nutrients, Land Use, and Loading Patterns in Maryland Coastal Bay Watersheds

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:18:50 -0500

This paper, published in Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 221(1-4): 255-273, discusses land use and its relation to nutrient concentrations and loading via streams in the Maryland Coastal Bays. The most significant correlation was with the land area of feeding operations. A similar relationship was also found with anthropogenic land area (cropland + urban + feeding operations). Wetland area was positively associated with hydric soils. Watersheds with the most crop agriculture had the highest nitrogen export coefficients, while the highest phosphorus export was in a watershed containing a non-operational chicken hatchery. This suggests that agricultural development, especially animal feeding operations, and landscape characteristics are important factors to understand nutrient loading.

New science integrator Jonathan Kellogg

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:18:50 -0500

Dr. Jonathan Kellogg has recently joined IAN as a Science Integrator. Jonathan has moved with his wife from Seattle, where he earned his PhD from the University of Washington studying the amount of heat emanating from seafloor hot springs off the coast of Washington. While a graduate student, Jonathan also sought out training in science communication and was a National Science Foundation GK-12 fellow where he co-taught marine biology and earth science in a local high school. He looks forward to working with the EcoCheck team and the Mid-Atlantic Tributaries Assessment Coalition on the Chesapeake Bay and other local report cards. In their free time, Jonathan and his wife are looking forward to exploring the mountains and waters of the mid-Atlantic since they are avid hikers and boaters.

Gulf of Mexico Report Card Initiative

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:14:37 -0400

The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, along with its partners Harwell Gentile & Associates, LC, and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, proposes to develop a comprehensive framework for a Report Card on the health of the Gulf of Mexico. Our vision is to develop a graphical representation of the environmental condition of the Gulf that will be scientifically based, widely accessible, and readily understandable by policy-makers, stakeholders, scientists, and, most importantly, the general public. This report details a five-step process model for developing an environmental report card, using the Chesapeake Bay Report Card as an example.

Megacities in the coastal zone paper

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:14:37 -0400

"Megacities in the coastal zone: Using a driver-pressure-state-impact-response framework to address complex environmental problems", currently in press with Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, elaborates on the role of coastal megacities in environmental degradation and their contribution to global climate change. This study was carried out by implementing a Drivers-Pressures-States-Impacts-Responses (DPSIR) framework. In many of the studied coastal megacities, deteriorated quality of air and water was perceived, which can, in combination with global warming, lead to health problems and economic and social disturbance among residents. The extent of problems varied between developing and developed countries, showing higher rates of population growth and certain harmful emissions in megacities of developing countries, as well as more problems regarding food and water shortages, sanitation, and health care support. Although certain projections predict slowdown of growth in most coastal megacities, their future impact on the environment is still unclear due to the uncertainties regarding future climate change and trajectories of consumption patterns.

Assateague Island National Seashore educator-scientist collaboration

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:14:37 -0400

Sponsored by a grant from the National Park Service's Assateague Island National Seashore, an educator-scientist team was assembled this summer for six weeks to help produce a web-based education module for middle school classrooms. The effects of sea-level rise on barrier islands, and Assateague Island in particular, was the subject of this module. Two science teachers from California and Utah were selected, along with two climate change scientists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Supervised by and in collaboration with IAN, the group explored the park and worked closely this summer with the national park staff to develop the content and graphics. The web module is still a work in progress with an estimated release in the spring of 2012.

IAN welcomes Simon Costanzo and Alexandra Fries

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:14:37 -0400

Dr. Simon Costanzo has recently joined IAN as a Science Integrator. Simon has moved with his family from Brisbane, Australia where he was working as an environmental consultant for Sinclair Knight Merz, following on from both government and academic jobs. He looks forward to developing new opportunities in science and communication through social media techniques and extend the meaning of Application in IAN, to something you can download to your phone. Simon and his family love the outdoors and exploring new places. Alexandra Fries has been a Science Communication Assistant with UMCES and IAN since May 2011. Alex has been working on the UMCES website, the EMECS conference, MERC Mobile Ballast Water Dedication Ceremony, Assateague education module, and Tropical Connections, a book on south Florida. She has just accepted a new position as a Science Communicator with IAN and Ecocheck. Alex received her Master's in Environmental Management at Duke University in Ecosystem Science and Conservation. Before IAN, Alex worked at Conservation International on a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Workshop and Guidebook. In her free time she enjoys cooking, photography, exploring new places, and going to the beach.

Great Barrier Reef Report Card

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:10:47 -0400

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest and best-known coral reef ecosystem in the world. This first report card provides an estimate of the status of the key indicators for the period preceding 2009. It is based on historical data and trends and takes into account the influence of a variable climate from year to year. This serves as a baseline that will be used as a point of comparison to measure progress towards Reef Plan goals and targets. This report card (and the accompanying regional summaries and technical report documents) presents results up to 2009 and therefore does not include the effects of Cyclone Yasi and the more recent flood events which will be presented in subsequent reports. For additional details on the GBR report card, see the Reef Plan Report Card website.

Extinction risk assessment of the world's seagrass species

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:10:47 -0400

Recently published in Biological Conservation, 144(7): 1961-1971, this paper describes the the probability of extinction for the world's seagrass species under the categories and criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The focus was to determine the risk of extinction for individual seagrass species, a four-year process involving seagrass experts internationally, compilation of data on species' status, populations, and distribution, and review of the biology and ecology of each of the world's seagrass species. Ten seagrass species are at elevated risk of extinction (14% of all seagrass species), with three species qualifying as Endangered.

Global Summit on Coastal Seas conference

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:10:47 -0400

The ninth Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas (EMECS) conference was held in Baltimore, Maryland in late August. IAN helped sponsor the conference, which was attended by over 300 scientists and resource managers from 25 countries, in spite of global financial uncertainty and Hurricane Irene. The conference theme was 'Managing for results in our coastal seas,' and both past and present IAN staff presented a variety of topics throughout the conference. At the opening plenary, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley presented his BayStat approach, highlighting the Chesapeake Bay report card produced by EcoCheck, the UMCES/NOAA partnership based in Oxford, Maryland.

IAN staff transitions

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:10:47 -0400

Dr. Tim Carruthers, the first IAN Science Integrator and then the first IAN Program Manager, has moved with his family to Apia, Samoa in the central Pacific Ocean (see blog post for more details). Tim is serving as the Coastal and Marine Advisor to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme. Tim worked with IAN from 2002-2011, and was involved in virtually every aspect of IAN. In his new position, he is actively developing collaborative projects with IAN. Joanna Woerner, IAN intern and then IAN Science Communicator, has moved to Indianapolis, Indiana to work as the Web and Social Media Analyst at Indiana University Health. Joanna worked with IAN from 2006-2011 and in that time she produced newsletters and books, created IAN Press, and launched the UMCES SchoolTube Channel. We wish both Tim and Joanna the best in their new career paths and look forward to future collaborations and interactions.

Science Communication Intern position available

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:54:34 -0400

The Integration and Application Network seeks a science communication intern to join a dynamic group of Science Integrators and Science Communicators to assist in the creation of effective science communication products. This position will support IAN's goal of not just studying but solving environmental problems through data synthesis and science communication. This internship is targeted to graduate or advanced undergraduate students with backgrounds in science and communication. Sound editing skills and a background in biology or environmental science are required.

Natural resource condition assessments for national battlefield parks

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:54:34 -0400

IAN worked with the National Park Service to develop natural resource condition assessments for three national battlefield parks. Habitats within Antietam, Monocacy, and Manassas National Battlefield Parks were defined as being either managed for natural resource values or managed for agricultural values. Habitat maps were created, and desired/degraded conditions were defined for each habitat. Metrics were then assigned to these habitat types compared to established thresholds, leading to the condition assessment for each habitat. Assessed habitats included forests, deer populations, bird diversity, wetlands and waterways, biological stream diversity, pastures, and grasslands.

Coral reefs and climate change education module

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:54:34 -0400

The Integration and Application Network and the National Park Service Pacific Island Network Inventory and Monitoring Program are pleased to announce the release of the Coral Reefs and Climate Change module. Interactive elements allow students to explore the biodiversity of coral reefs, collect data about coral cover with the same methods used by scientists, see into the future as unchecked carbon emissions increase ocean acidification and erode corals, and imagine how their daily lives would be different without coral reefs. Specifically designed to allow students to choose their experience and observe the topics that are most interesting to them, this web module uses games, videos, and animations to help students observe corals and inspire them to develop their own questions. In addition, teachers can access lessons and activities associated with the module content. Teachers can download state and national teaching standards, learning objectives, materials lists, and worksheets that will allow them to use the module in their classroom.

Creating a Shared Vision for the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac Region

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:54:34 -0400

The Mackay-Whitsundays-Isaac region is diverse, with rainforests, ranges, creeks and rivers, wetlands, beaches, islands, and reefs which support high biodiversity. The region supports productive agriculture, particularly grazing and sugarcane, as well as expanding urban centres. The Mackay-Whitsundays-Isaac region is rapidly developing due to economic development, climate, livability, and natural beauty. This region is expected to double in population within twenty-five years. These population pressures combined with climate change produce environmental challenges for the region. The Healthy Waterways Alliance was created to engage a wide range of stakeholders in charting a future which promotes sustainable development with resilient waterways and ecosystems.