IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

New York Harbor: Resilience in the face of four centuries of development (Page 1)

New York Harbor: Resilience in the face of four centuries of development

O’Neil JM, Taillie D, Walsh BM, Dennison WC, Bone EK, Reid DJ, Newton R, Strayer DL, Boicourt K, Birney LB, Janis S, Malinowski P, and Fisher M ·
2016

New York Harbor is a large, iconic and complex body of water that has been extensively modified to support the development of a megacity. These modifications have affected the shorelines, water flow, water quality, habitats and living resources of the harbor. Changes in topography and bathymetry have altered the landscapes and seascapes of the region, largely to support an active shipping port and intense human settlement.

Read more

Model Results and Software Comparisons in Myrtle Beach, SC Using Virtual Beach and R Regression Toolboxes (Page 1)

Model Results and Software Comparisons in Myrtle Beach, SC Using Virtual Beach and R Regression Toolboxes

Neet MJ, Kelsey RH, Porter DE, Ramage DW, and Jones AB ·
2015

Utilizing R software and a variety of data sources, daily forecasts of bacteria levels were developed and automated for beach waters in Myrtle Beach, SC. Modeled results are then shown for beach locations via a website and mobile device app. While R provides a robust set of tools for use in forecast modeling, the software has an extensive learning curve and requires skilled statistical interpretation of results.

Read more

Model Performance Results in Myrtle Beach, SC Using Virtual Beach and R Regression Software (Page 1)

Model Performance Results in Myrtle Beach, SC Using Virtual Beach and R Regression Software

Neet MJ, Kelsey RH, Porter DE, Ramage DW, and Jones AB ·
2014

Daily forecasts of beach water bacteria levels have been developed and automated by a beach water quality forecast team. With support from the Southeast Coast Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA), R software and a variety of data sources were used to model daily bacteria levels in beach swimming waters in Myrtle Beach, SC. Modeled (predicted) water quality results are then shown for beach locations via a website and mobile device app.

Read more

Oyster delta N-15 as a Bioindicator of Potential Wastewater and Poultry Farming Impacts and Degraded Water Quality in a Subestuary of Chesapeake Bay (Page 1)

Oyster delta N-15 as a Bioindicator of Potential Wastewater and Poultry Farming Impacts and Degraded Water Quality in a Subestuary of Chesapeake Bay

Fertig B, Carruthers TJB, and Dennison WC ·
2014

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 (delta N-15) were measured in oyster (Crassostrea virginica) tissues (muscle, gills, and mantle) during summer 2006 to summer 2008 to identify nitrogen sources in Monie Bay (a subestuary of Chesapeake Bay) receiving freshwater inputs from three tributary creeks. The creeks (estimated flushing times:

Read more

Using the integrated ecosystem assessment framework to build consensus and transfer information to managers (Page 1)

Using the integrated ecosystem assessment framework to build consensus and transfer information to managers

Fletcher PJ, Kelble CR, Nuttle WK, and Kiker GA ·
2014

Ecosystem-based management is widely regarded as a method to improve the way we manage our coastal marine resources and ecosystems. Effective ecosystem-based management relies upon synthesizing our scientific knowledge and transferring this knowledge into management actions. Integrated ecosystem assessment is a framework to conduct this scientific synthesis and transfer information to resource managers.

Read more

Long-term seasonal trends of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment load from the non-tidal Susquehanna River basin to Chesapeake Bay (Page 1)

Long-term seasonal trends of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment load from the non-tidal Susquehanna River Basin to Chesapeake Bay

Zhang Q, Brady DC, Ball WP ·
2013

Reduction of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and suspended sediment (SS) load has been a principal focus of Chesapeake Bay Watershed management for decades. To evaluate the progress of management actions in the Bay's largest tributary, the Susquehanna River, we analyzed the long-term seasonal trends of flow-normalized N, P, and SS load over the last two to three decades, both above and below the Lower Susquehanna River Reservoir System.

Read more

A social and ecological imperative for ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change in the Pacific Islands (Page 1)

A social and ecological imperative for ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change in the Pacific Islands

Hills T, Carruthers TJB, Chape S, and Donohoe P ·
2013

Climate change is predicted to have a range of impacts on Pacific Island ecosystems and the services they provide for current and future development. There are a number of characteristics that can make adaptation approaches that utilise the benefits of ecosystems a compelling and viable alternative to other adaptation approaches.

Read more

Elucidating terrestrial nutrient sources to a coastal lagoon, Chincoteague Bay, Maryland, USA (Page 1)

Elucidating terrestrial nutrient sources to a coastal lagoon, Chincoteague Bay, Maryland, USA

Fertig BM, O’Neil JM, Beckert KA, Cain CJ, Needham DM, Carruthers TJB, and Dennison WC ·
2013

Long-term non-linear ecosystem-scale changes in water quality and biotic communities in coastal lagoons have been associated with intensification of anthropogenic pressures. In light of incipient changes in Johnson Bay (an embayment of Chincoteague Bay, Maryland-Virginia, USA), examination of nitrogen sources was conducted through synoptic water quality monitoring, stable nitrogen isotope signatures (deltaN-15) of in situ bioindicators, and denitrification estimates.

Read more

Improving management of a mid-Atlantic coastal barrier island through assessment of habitat condition (Page 1)

Improving management of a mid-Atlantic coastal barrier island through assessment of habitat condition

Carruthers TJB, Beckert K, Schupp CA, Saxby TA, Kumer JP, Thomas JE, Sturgis B, Dennison WC, Williams M, Fisher T, and Zimmerman CS ·
2013

To achieve desired environmental outcomes, environmental condition and trends need to be rigorously measured and communicated to resource managers, scientists, and a broader general audience. However, there is often a disconnect between responsive ecosystem monitoring and decision making for strategic long-term management. This project demonstrates how historical monitoring data can be synthesized and used for future planning and decision making, thereby closing the management feedback cycle.

Read more