Ecosystem Integration & Assessment
Priorities for Managing Ecosystem Data
Whooping crane pair. Photo credit: Texas Parks Wildlife Division
Although much information has been gathered and scientific research conducted on coastal environments, currently there is no information system that allows easy access to information and data for scientists conducting region-wide comparative studies; nor is there a convenient way for managers and policy makers to tap into the knowledge gained from this research. A solution to this problem is a natural resource data portal and information system that will enable resource managers to develop sound recommendations for managing valued coastal resources. The Alliance provides an effective partnership structure to improve accessibility and awareness of the extensive data available throughout the Gulf region.
Long-term Goals
- Develop regional data systems that contain environmental and economic data
- Establish strategic partnerships to fill environmental and ecological data gaps
- Provide ecosystem decision-support tools to address priority issues within the Gulf
ACTIONS
Ecosystem Integration and Assessment 1: Gulf of Mexico Master Mapping Plan
Action: Produce the Gulf of Mexico Master Mapping Plan (GMMMP), a comprehensive plan to collaboratively acquire data on the physical characteristics of the Gulf region, particularly elevation, shoreline, and surface data.
Gulf of Mexico Master Mapping Plan (GMMMP)
Produce the Gulf of Mexico Master Mapping Plan (GMMMP), a comprehensive plan to collaboratively acquire data on the physical characteristics of the Gulf region, particularly elevation, shoreline, and surface data.
The Gulf of Mexico Data Acquisition Planning Tool gives Gulf of Mexico stakeholders the platform to plan and coordinate data acquisition activities by linking planned acquisition information to graphics representing the extent of the acquisition within a map-based interface.
Project Contact:
Jennifer Wozencraft
Jennifer.M.Wozencraft@usace.army.mil
Ecosystem Integration and Assessment 2: Data Access and Acquisition
Action: Provide resource managers and Alliance partners access to a Gulf-wide data and ecosystem support services system.
GOMAportal
The GOMAportal is a Gulf of Mexico geospatial data repository which consists of a metadata catalog that allows users to perform spatial and text searches on metadata records, download most datasets via FTP, and view map services.
Project Contact:
Seneca Holland
seneca.holland@tamucc.edu
Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas
In response to historic degradation and recent destruction from hurricanes
and man-made disasters, there is a high demand for data and information that
describes baseline conditions in the Gulf by the federal and state agencies
empowered to respond to these disasters. The Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas is a
new, comprehensive, high resolution, Internet-based data atlas designed to
provide information necessary to answer questions regarding the current
conditions of the coastal/marine environment, coastal infrastructure, and
the socioeconomic status and trends of the Gulf.
This Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas provides a source of reliable online data for
the Gulf region for use by NOAA and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration
Task Force as an initial baseline from which to formulate the response
necessary to restore the Gulf.
Project Contact:
Russ Beard
russ.beard@noaa.gov
Ecosystem Integration and Assessment 3: Living Marine Resources
Action: Provide collaboration opportunities for the various living marine resource organizations to support the management of the Gulf as a large marine ecosystem.
New Partner: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is now a formal GOMA Partner. A member from the council will now participate with the EIA PIT. Additionally, an EIA PIT member will attend council meetings to further strengthen this partnership.
Project Contact:
Dave Reed
Dave.Reed@MyFWC.com
Ecosystem Integration and Assessment 4: Emergent Wetlands Status and Trends Report
Action: Develop an Emergent Wetlands Status and Trends Report to provide scientists and decision makers with regional information to guide management decisions.
Emergent Wetland Status and Trends Report - Chapter 1
The first chapter of the Emergent Wetlands Status and Trends report (Introduction, Methods, Study Area) plus a comprehensive Literature Survey on Gulf of Mexico emergent wetlands is posted on, http://gom.usgs.gov (under the Ecosystems Integration and Assessment page).
Project Contact:
Larry Handley
Larry_Handley@usgs.gov
Ecosystem Integration and Assessment 5: Ecosystem Services Valuation
Action: Determine socioeconomic values of critical coastal ecosystem services in the Gulf region.
GecoServ
GecoServ is an inventory of ecosystem services (ES) valuation studies relevant to the Gulf of Mexico region. The two main goals of the GecoServ database are to allow for the distribution and sharing of information about ES valuation studies relevant to Gulf of Mexico region and to identify current gaps in the ES literature. The studies summarized here are for habitats that are relevant to the Gulf region even though they may have been conducted elsewhere.
Features of the database include "REFERENCES" tab to provide users the bibliographic information for each study in the database; a "DEFINITIONS" tab to provide explanations for concepts mentioned in the website; and a "ES VISUALIZED" tab to provide users with a visual representation of each ES. This is especially useful in outreach and educational opportunities.
Project Contact:
David Yoskositz
david.yoskowitz@tamucc.edu
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