Observing Systems and Ecosystem Management

Full Title: Evaluation of Gulf of Mexico oceanographic observation networks impact assessment on ecosystem management and recommendation

This project assessed Gulf of Mexico observation networks from an ecosystem management perspective, based on an approach that has been successfully used to assess the capacity of ocean observing networks to effectively monitor ocean circulation.

The Team: Matthieu Le Henaff (Lead Investigator, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies at the University of Miami,mlehenaff@rsmas.miami.edu), Villy Kourafalou (University of Miami), Frank Muller-Karger (University of South Florida), and Luke McEachron (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

Technical Monitor: Shay Viehman (shay.viehman@noaa.gov)

Federal Program Officer/Point of Contact: Frank Parker (frank.parker@noaa.gov)

Project Timeframe: September 2015 to August 2019.

Award Amount: $398,812

Why it matters: Observation networks are used to monitor ocean circulation, but these networks need to be optimized and down-scaled to help natural resource managers effectively manage fragile ecosystems. This project improved our understanding of oceanic and atmospheric conditions which resulted in decision support tools that are used for marine spatial planning efforts in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

What the team did: The investigators first assessed the performance of existing observation networks to monitor the Gulf of Mexico from an ecosystem monitoring and management perspective. They then used data from these networks to investigate the connections between ocean physics, biogeochemistry and ecosystem dynamics, with a focus on coral ecosystems and how they are impacted by ocean circulation. Finally, the researchers developed two monitoring tools; one for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and one for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.  

Project Outputs and Outcomes: This project determined that the movement of coastal waters from the Mississippi Delta and the Campeche Bank (off Yucatan Peninsula) toward the interior of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and the Straits of Florida are primarily dependent on the Loop Current, and that the Mississippi River discharge plays only a secondary role in Gulf of Mexico circulation patterns.  

Management Impact: The project developed two early warning monitoring tools for National Marine Sanctuary managers. The tools put together data from existing monitoring systems and identify times when non typical waters (e.g. hotter than normal, fresher than normal). Once the abnormal conditions are identified, the tool sends an email to National Marine Sanctuary managers so that they can plan for potential impacts to the coral ecosystem.