Protocol narrative for marine nearshore ecosystem monitoring in the Southwest Alaska Network of National Parks: Version 1.1

Dean TA, Bodkin JL, Coletti H. 2014. Protocol narrative for marine nearshore ecosystem monitoring in the Southwest Alaska Network of National Parks: Version 1.1. Natural Resource Report. NPS/SWAN/NRR—2014/756. National Park Service. Fort Collilns, Colorado

This document provides a comprehensive plan for long-term monitoring of nearshore marine resources in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The project is funded by the National Park Service‘s (NPS) Southwest Alaska Network (SWAN) and the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council (EVOS) Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) programs. The objective of this plan is to assist managers in preserving nearshore resources by documenting changes to these resources over time and suggesting possible causes for these changes. The monitoring encompasses all major elements of the nearshore trophic web, from primary producers to apex predators, and focuses on six vital signs: kelp and seagrasses, marine intertidal invertebrates, marine birds, black oystercatchers, sea otters, and marine water chemistry and quality. Sampling will be conducted in Katmai National Park and Preserve (KATM), Kenai Fjords National Park (KEFJ), Prince William Sound (PWS) and to a lesser extent on the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (LACL). Related projects that provide similar data from Kachemak Bay, Cook Inlet are not included here. Trends in different vital sign metrics (e.g. the number of sea otters) will be examined and the variation in the relative extent of change among different locations will be assessed. Sampling will focus on estimating: cover by eelgrass and kelp; abundance (percent cover or density) of intertidal algae and invertebrates on sheltered rocky shores; density of infaunal invertebrates in gravel / mixed-sand gravel shores; size and density of Pacific blue mussels in mussel beds; abundance of marine birds; abundance, nest site density, and composition of prey provisioned to chicks for black oystercatchers; abundance, survival and diet of sea otters; and concentration of various organic and inorganic contaminants in mussels. In addition, temperature (both water and air) and salinity will be measured. All of these metrics will be examined within each of three core areas: KATM and KEFJ, and Western Prince William Sound (WPWS). Sampling within these core areas will generally be done at a frequency of once per year. Additionally, selected metrics will be examined less frequently in Eastern and Northern PWS (EPWS and NPWS) and LACL. Sampling of most metrics will be focused on randomly selected locations within each region. Generalized guidelines on analytical methods to be used to detect trends in various vital sign metrics are provided. Also given are preliminary estimates of the extent of change that is deemed ecologically important and might trigger management action. In addition, guidelines for data management, management structure, operational requirements, and costs are provided.

Type
Published Report
Authors
Dean, Thomas; Bodkin, James; Coletti, Heather
Date of Issue
2014-01
Publisher
National Park Service
Units
KATM , KEFJ , LACL , NRSS , SWAN
Subjects
Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Marine Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Marine Invertebrates , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Birds , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals

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