Chesapeake Bay Report Card Photo Contest
Do you have great photos from around the Bay? We want to see them! Your photo could be on the cover of the 2012 Chesapeake Bay Report Card. Submit your photos from 2012 by March 15th and you could win $250, and have your photo on the cover of the report cardAn economic analysis of climate change adaptation options in Lami Town, Fiji
The narrow coastal area of Lami Town, Fiji, is surrounded by steep hills with three rivers flowing to the ocean, making it highly susceptible to flooding and erosion. This technical report provides greater detail of the cost–benefit assessment of four adaptation scenarios to reduce Lami Town's vulnerability to flooding and erosion, both of which are projected to increase due to climate change. These four adaptation scenarios represent the spectrum of ecosystem-based and engineering-based adaptation options. This report compares the cost–benefit of each adaptation scenario in relation to the effectiveness at avoiding damages, provides key recommendations, and a step-by-step process for decision-making.
Science communication course for the MEES Environmental Management students
A one-day science communication course was conducted at the UMCES Annapolis office as part of the MEES Spring Semester Science for Environmental Management course being taught by Don Boesch and Bill Dennison. The course was attended by 12 PhD and Master's students within the MEES program and focused on conceptual diagrams and PowerPoint presentation skills, as well as a walking tour of downtown Annapolis.
Oyster deltaN-15 as a bioindicator of potential wastewater and poultry farming impacts and degraded water quality in a subestuary of Chesapeake Bay
Anthropogenic nitrogen contributes to water quality degradation but it is difficult to distinguish sources once they are mixed in coastal ecosystems. Natural abundances of stable nitrogen isotopes were measured in oyster tissues to identify nitrogen sources in Monie Bay which receives freshwater inputs from three tributary creeks. The creeks vary in size and potential nitrogen sources: septic systems, poultry operations, crop fertilizer, and wetlands/forest. Oyster tissue deltaN-15 values indicated a mixture of human and animal sources. Conservatively estimated, poultry in the Monie Bay watershed generated an amount of nitrogen equivalent to that generated by 263% of the human population. Estuaries commonly receive nutrients from both inside and outside their watersheds, and oyster deltaN-15 values elucidated this process locally.
Farewell to Katie Foreman and welcome to Christina Lyerly
Katie Foreman worked for UMCES at the Chesapeake Bay Program for five years as the Non-tidal Water Quality Analyst. She developed the Chesapeake Watershed Stream Health Index which is an overall assessment of benthic health. In addition, she coordinated the non-tidal workgroup, worked on many reports, including the annual Bay Barometer, and participated in many workshops and conferences. We are sad to see Katie leave, but she has a wonderful new opportunity with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. We wish Katie all the best! Christina Lyerly joins UMCES to jointly support IAN and the Chesapeake Bay Program office. She will assist in co-authoring a Lessons Learned brochure, detailing the results of best management practices implemented in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Christina recently completed an MPP—Environmental Policy and an MS—Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology at the University of Maryland. She gained experience with Chesapeake Bay water quality issues while working at the World Resources Institute and participating in the DNR's Stream Waders program. Sailing with her family inspired her love of the Bay, and she is excited to help improve its health. In addition to sailing, you will also find her skiing the slopes, hiking, and kayaking in western MD and WV.