Publications by Caroline Donovan

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.

Asian oysters: Science to inform policy decisions (Page 1)

Asian oysters: Science to inform policy decisions

O'Herron M, King J, Wicks EC, Bushek D and Carnegie R ·
2 November 2007

This is a three part series on the Asian oyster Environmental Impact Statement. It has been proposed to introduce the Asian oyster (Crassostrea ariakensis) into Chesapeake Bay as one potential solution to the loss of the historic oyster fishery, and the ecological functions that oysters perform for Chesapeake Bay.

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Effects of nutrient enrichment in the Nation's estuaries: A decade of change

Bricker S, Longstaff BJ, Dennison WC, Jones AB, Boicourt K, Wicks EC and Woerner JL ·
31 July 2007

This report provides an assessment of eutrophic conditions for 141 U.S. estuaries. The report was based on data and information provided by scientists and experts from around the country. Results from the assessment show that two-thirds of the estuaries evaluated exhibited moderate to high levels of eutrophication. Report production was a collaborative effort between Suzanne Bricker (NOAA NCCOS), EcoCheck (NOAA-UMCES Partnership) and IAN. More information is available from the NEEA website.

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Breath of Life: Dissolved oxygen in Chesapeake Bay (Page 1)

Breath of Life: Dissolved oxygen in Chesapeake Bay

Wicks EC, Jasinski DA and Longstaff BJ ·
29 May 2007

This newsletter describes why dissolved oxygen is an important indicator of ecosystem health. It focuses on dissolved oxygen in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and describes the factors that affect dissolved oxygen. Additionally, the management decisions and actions that are being taken to reduce the amount of low dissolved oxygen in the Bay are described.

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Calculating the 2006 Chesapeake Bay report card scores (Page 1)

Calculating the 2006 Chesapeake Bay report card scores

Caroline Donovan, Ben Longstaff, Bill Dennison ·
18 April 2007

Ecosystem health report cards are an effective means of tracking and reporting the health of a waterway at both local and regional scales. A report card is being developed within the Chesapeake Bay science and management community in order to provide a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed annual assessment of Chesapeake Bay habitat health. This newsletter summarizes the methods and data used to calculate the report card scores for 2006.

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Chesapeake Bay Habitat Health Report Card: 2006 (Page 1)

Chesapeake Bay Habitat Health Report Card: 2006

Ben Longstaff, Michael Williams, Caroline Donovan, Bill Dennison ·
18 April 2007

This report card provides a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed annual assessment of 2006 Chesapeake Bay habitat health. A report card will be released each year, in early to mid April, providing an assessment of the previous year’s habitat health. 2006 is the first year that the report card has been released. This report card rates 15 reporting regions of the Bay using six indicators that are combined into a single overarching index of habitat health.

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Assessment of Coastal Management and Science Needs in South Florida (Page 1)

Assessment of Coastal Management and Science Needs in South Florida

Dennison WC, Nuttle W and Wicks EC ·
15 February 2007

Resource managers in South Florida recognize that they need to address threats to natural resources by taking action to restore and sustain ecosystems. The attention and resources formerly directed toward basic ecosystem research in South Florida are increasingly directed toward broader goals of a region-wide restoration effort.

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The role of benthic communities in the health of Maryland's Coastal Bays

Caroline Donovan, Tim Carruthers, Bill Dennison ·
2 February 2007

In collaboration with the University of Maryland's Cooperative Extension Service at the Wye Mills Research and Education Center, EcoCheck (NOAA - UMCES partnership) has produced a newsletter on the history and current trends of benthic communities in Maryland's Coastal Bays. Aquatic grasses and shellfish are important components of a healthy ecosystem because they provide a variety of ecosystem services, improve water quality, and are commercially valuable.

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Weather extremes lead to typical conditions (Page 1)

Weather extremes lead to typical conditions

Caroline Donovan, Ben Longstaff ·
9 November 2006

This newsletter addresses the extreme weather conditions that the Bay area experienced during the spring and summer of 2006 and how these weather conditions affected the summer ecological forecast that was released in May 2006 and other aspects of Bay health. The forecast focuses on dissolved oxygen in the mainstem, harmful algal blooms in the Potomac River and aquatic grasses in three locations in the Bay.

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