Running head: EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS - APPENDICES
Appendix A.
NEPs and Their Indicators
NOTE: The following NEP web links and lists of environmental indicators represent the
baseline of initial research conducted by the project team. The indicators were identified from
reports and documents readily available on NEP webpages and not necessarily reflective of any
new indicators identified by a NEP during the project or indicators discovered in hard-to-find
NEP documentation.
Albemarle-Pamlico NEP
http://www.apnep.org
Program goals found in CCMP:
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/apnep/ccmp
Indicators have not been “officially” identified (as of the writing of the most recent plan) but
APNEP believes that meeting the following three goals would reflect a healthy system: human
communities, native species, and water quality and quantity.
For the purpose of this project, the candidate indicators listed in Table 1 of APNEP’s CCMP
were used and plotted on the master spreadsheet (in Appendix).
Human Communities
1) Beach Closures
2) Water Quality Standard violations
3) Drinking water standard violations
4) Severity and frequency of droughts
5) Fish consumption advisories
6) Shellfish area closures
7) Total distance of land and paddle trails
8) Water access points (number/location)
Native Species
9) Oyster bed extent
10) River herring abundance
11) King rail, Swainson’s warbler population
12) Box turtle population
13) Longleaf pine extent/location
14) Firefly population
15) SAV extent and composition
16) Anadromous fish spawning/nursery areas (quality/extent)
17) Hydrilla population status
18) Phragmites australis extent
19) Kudzu population status
Water Quality & Quantity
20) Dissolved oxygen concentration
21) Major river flows
1
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
2
22) Impaired waters- nutrients and pathogens (amount and extent)
23) Chlorophyll-a concentration
24) Impaired waters- toxics (amount and extent)
25) Dissolved metals concentrations
26) Impaired waters- sediment contamination (amount and extent)
27) Average secchi disk depth
Barataria-Terrebonne NEP
www.btnep.org
Environmental Indicator Report 2010
www.btnep.org/Libraries/Reports/Shedding_Light_on_Our_Estuary_and_Our_economy.sflb.ash
x
Although not titled a “State of the Bay” report, BTES’s indicators found in its Environmental
Indicator Report were used for this project.
Indicators:
1) Land area change
2) Location of land loss
3) Acres of habitat restored
4) White and brown shrimp abundance
5) Blue crab abundance
6) Oyster availability on public oyster seed reservations
7) Bay anchovy abundance
8) Atlantic croaker abundance
9) Red drum abundance
10) Spotted seatrout abundance
11) Largemouth bass abundance
12) Freshwater catfish abundance
13) Alligator nest density
14) Mottled duck abundance in SE Louisiana
15) Bald eagle nesting success
16) Brown pelican nest abundance
17) Acres of marsh damaged by nutria
18) Zebra mussel distribution in the Mississippi River watershed
19) Atrazine concentrations
20) Petroleum and chemical spill reports
21) Number of active fish consumption advisories
22) Bacteriological water quality of oyster harvesting waters
23) Number of boat sewage pumpout facilities
24) Revenue and jobs generated by tourism
25) Value of cattle & sugarcane agriculture
26) Value of crude oil & natural gas production
27) Value of commercial fishing landings
28) Number of commercial fisherman licenses
29) Number of recreational fishing licenses
30) Estimated economic impact of the number of recreational fishing licenses
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
3
31) Number & duration of high chloride events
32) Number & value of flood insurance claims
33) Area of dead zone in Gulf of Mexico
34) Number of educational materials distributed by BTES
Barnegat Bay Partnership
http://bbp.ocean.edu/pages/1.asp
2005 State of the Bay Technical Report
http://bbp.ocean.edu/Reports/2005-state_of_bay_tech.pdf
Indicators:
1) Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
2) Shellfish Beds
3) (Bathing) Beaches
4) Algal Blooms
5) Freshwater Input
6) Land Use/Land Cover
Buzzards Bay NEP
http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/
2011 State of the Bay
http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/document.doc?id=645
This NEP did not have clear ecological indicators; however, they identified three areas on which
they wanted to focus. For the purposes of this project, those areas were divided into nine
indicators (as discussed in their State of the Bay report).
Indicators:
Pollution
1) Nitrogen
2) Bacteria
3) Toxic Pollution
Watershed Health
4) Forests
5) Streams
6) Wetlands
Living Resources
7) Eelgrass
8) Bay Scallops
9) River herring
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
Casco Bay Estuary Partnership
http://www.cascobay.usm.maine.edu/
2010 State of the Bay Report
http://www.cascobay.usm.maine.edu/pdfs/State_Bay_2010.pdf
Indicators:
Population, Land Use and Watershed Impacts
1) Population
2) Impervious Surface
3) Stormwater
4) Combined Sewer Overflows
Pathogen Pollution
5) Swimming Beaches
6) Shellfish Beds
Water Quality
7) Bay Water Quality
8) Inland and Estuarine Water Quality
Toxic Pollution
9) Mussels
10) Sediments
11) Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Habitats
12) Interior Forest Habitat
13) Conserved Lands
Living Resources/Indicator Species
14) Eelgrass
15) Waterbirds
16) Invasive Species
Climate Change
17) Climate Change, Sea Level Rise, Ocean Acidification
Stewardship
18) Stewardship and Community Engagement
4
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
5
Charlotte Harbor NEP
http://www.chnep.org/
2013 Update of CCMP
http://www.chnep.org/CCMP/CCMP2013.pdf
Charlotte Harbor NEP’s CCMP listed four main “priority actions” on which the program
focuses. In this report, they include “environmental indicators”; however, these indicators relate
to one of the Priority Actions and are merely targets and objectives. For the purpose of this
project, the four main Priority Actions were included in the master spreadsheet.
Indicators (called “Priority Actions”):
1) Hydrologic Alterations
2) Water Quality
3) Fish & Wildlife Habitat
4) Stewardship
Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program
http://www.cbbep.org/
2010 Environmental Indicators Report
http://www.cbbep.org/publications/IndicatorReport.pdf
Like BTES, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program has an “environmental indicator” report.
The indicators listed in the report were used in this project.
Indicators:
1) Fecal bacteria levels
2) Vibrio (bacteria from shellfish like oysters) concerns
3) Seafood tissue monitoring data
4) Seafood consumption advisories
5) Shellfish harvesting areas
6) Water Quality Standards
7) Number of impaired segments (303d list)
8) (Harmful) algal blooms
9) Nutrients in the water column (e.g., phosphorus, nitrogen, chlorophyll)
10) Species important to recreation (abundance of red drum, spotted seatrout, southern flounder)
11) Species important to ecology (anchovy and croaker abundance)
12) Species important to commercial fishermen/watermen (brown shrimp, blue crab)
13) Colonial water bird nesting pairs
14) Seagrass coverage
15) Saltwater marsh (tidal marsh/estuarine marsh)
16) Freshwater marsh
17) Rookery islands (population)
18) Freshwater inflows (quantity and timing)
19) Bay salinity levels
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
Delaware Center for the Inland Bays
http://www.inlandbays.org
2011 State of the Bays Report
http://www.inlandbays.org/wp-content/documents/2011-state-of-the-bays.pdf
Indicators:
Watershed Condition
1) Human population growth
2) Land use
3) Impervious surfaces
4) Water quality buffers on croplands
5) Natural habitat protection and restoration
6) Indian River Inlet flushing
Nutrient Loads and Management
7) Nutrient loads- Point sources
8) Nutrient loads- Non-point sources
9) Nutrient loads- from the atmosphere
10) Nutrient management practices
11) Septic system conversion to central sewer
Water Quality
12) Dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations
13) Algae concentration
14) Water clarity
15) Water Quality Index
16) Seaweed abundance
17) Bay grasses
18) Dissolved oxygen concentration
Living Resources
19) Eagles & ospreys
20) Winter waterfowl
21) Hard clam landings
22) Oysters
23) Blue crab abundance
24) Fish abundance
25) Recreational fishing
26) Number of fish kills
Pathogens and Contaminants
27) Fish consumption advisories
28) Recreational water quality
29) Approved shellfish growing waters
Climate
30) CO2 concentration and air temperature
31) Sea-level rise
6
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
7
Galveston Bay Estuary Program
http://www.gbep.state.tx.us/
The Galveston Bay Plan lists 17 priority problems; however, there are no ecological indicators
included in that report. A summary of these problems can be found here:
http://www.gbep.state.tx.us/the-bays-priority-problems
2011 State of the Bay (without indicators)
http://galvbaydata.org/StateoftheBay/tabid/1846/Default.aspx
The Galveston Bay NEP did not include clearly defined ecological indicators in their State of the
Bay report; however, they do have some information on indicators on their State of the Bay
website. For the purpose of this project, the indicators were gleaned from the headings and
subheadings located at the top of the State of the Bay webpage.
Possible indicators:
1) Water quality
2) Petroleum and chemical spill reports
3) Bay sediment contamination (organics, metals)
4) Bay sediment toxicity
5) Nitrate-nitrite concentration
6) Ammonia concentration
7) Phosphorus concentration
8) Chlorophyll-a concentration
9) Fecal coliform bacteria levels
10) E. coli levels
11) Enterococci levels
12) Freshwater inflows (quality/timing)
13) SAV (extent and composition)
14) Seagrass
15) Estuarine wetlands
16) Freshwater wetlands
17) Oyster reefs
18) Diseases/illnesses linked to contaminated shellfish
19) Seafood consumption advisories
20) Waterbird nesting pairs
21) Invasive species
Indian River Lagoon NEP
http://www.sjrwmd.com/itsyourlagoon
Their version of State of the Bay Report, called An Introduction to a National Treasure
http://staticlobbytools.s3.amazonaws.com/press/58692_an_river_lagoon_an_introduction_to_a_natural_trea
sure_2007.pdf
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
8
The report did not clearly list any ecological indicators. The following possible indicators were
taken from a few sources found on their main webpage. One of those documents also stressed the
need to create a “suite” of ecological indicators or indices, which has not occurred to date. That
document from 2009, can be found here:
http://www.floridaoceanscouncil.org/management/2009/Indian_River_Lagoon_NEP.pdf
Possible indicators (INCOMPLETE):
1) Seagrass
2) Water quality
3) Algal blooms
4) Nitrogen concentration
5) Ammonia concentration
Long Island Sound Study
http://longislandsoundstudy.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Sound_Health_2012_Report.pdf
Indicators
- Hypoxia (Dissolved Oxygen)
- Nutrients
- Toxic Contaminants
- Pathogens
- Marine Debris
- Shellfish
- Finfish
- Coastal Birds
- Habitats
Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership
http://www.estuarypartnership.org/sites/default/files/Estuary%20Partnership%20State%20of%20
the%20Estuary%20Report%202010.pdf
Indicators
- Water Quality
- Land Use
- Educational Programs
- Citizen Volunteering Trends
- Habitat Restoration Trends
- Endangered Species Recovery Trends
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
Maryland Coastal Bays Program
http://mdcoastalbays.org/files/pdfs_pdf/StateoftheBays2004.pdf
Indicators
- Stream Nitrate
- Bottom Dwelling Animals
- Freshwater Fish Index
- Total Nitrogen
- Total Phosphorus
- Chlorophyll a
- Dissolved Oxygen
- Water Quality Index
- Excess Organic Carbon
- Mean Apparent Effects Threshold
- Ambient Toxicity
- Harmful Algae Blooms
- Seagrass
- Macroalgae
- Shoreline
- Wetlands
- Phytoplankton
- Fish
- Fish Kills
- Shellfish
- Blue Crabs
- Benthic animals
- Exotic species
Massachusetts Bay Program
http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/mbp/publications/2010sob.pdf
Indicators
- Municipal Wastewater in Harbor
- Municipal Wastewater in Bays
- Algal Blooms
- Contaminants
- Pathogens
- Combined Sewer Overflows
- Point Source Pollution
- Eelgrass Habitat
- Wetland Habitat
- Shellfish Landings
- Diadromous Fish
9
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
-
10
Fisheries Abundance
Invasive Species
Human Population
Impervious Surface
Protected Lands
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
http://www.mobilebaynep.com/images/uploads/library/State-of-Mobile-Bay-Final.pdf
Indicators:
- Population Change
- Land Use Change
- Hydrologic and Bathymetric Changes
- Acres of Habitat by type
- Acres of Habitat Protected or Restored
- Shoreline Change
- Sustaining Fishery Population
- Threatened/Endangered Species
- Invasive Species
- Toxicity
- Pahtogens
- Nutrients
- Municipal Wastewater Permit Violations
- Impaired Waters
- Outreach and Education
Morro Bay National Estuary Program
http://www.mbnep.org/StateoftheBay2014/00_MB_State%20of%20the%20Bay%202014_FINA
L%20with%20links.pdf
Indicators:
- Dissolved Oxygen
- Nitrate
- Creek Health
- Eelgrass
- Commercial Shellfish Farming
- Bird Population
- Steelhead Fish
- Recreational Swimming
- Climate Change
- Restoration
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
Narragansett Bay Estuary Program
http://www.nbep.org/ccmp/Part-3-CCMP-Update2012Final.pdf
The indicators listed are currently potential ones described in the Updated CCMP
Indicators:
- Dissolved oxygen (F/S)
- Pathogens/beach closures/shellfish bed closures (F/S)
- Nitrogen (F/S)
- Chlorophyll (F/S)
- Invasive species (F/S)
- Fish assemblages (F/S)
- Toxics in fish tissue (F/S)
- Temperature (F/S)
- Mercury (F/S)
- PCBs (F/S)
- pH (F/S)
- Pesticides (F/S)
- Macroinvertebrate communities (F)
- Flow (F)
- Phosphorus (F)
- Coastal shoreline tide gauge levels
- Coastal erosion rates
- Air temperature
- Water temperatures – rivers, lakes, coastal waters
- Tropical storm intensity
- River/stream water levels
- Snow cover
- Frequency/duration of heat waves
- Drought periods
- Precipitation levels – annual average; frequency and intensity of heavy events
- Lake ice (freeze and thaw times)
- Length of growing seasons
- Plant hardiness zones
- Leaf and bloom dates
- Invasive species
- Reduction in the rate of growth of impervious surface
- Change in the amount of impervious surface treated
- Change in land cover/use
- Change in amount of prime farmland
- Amount/rate of land developed vs. population change
- Acres/percent of protected land
- Extent of marine shoreline armoring
11
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
-
Extent/rate of change of freshwater wetlands
Acres of protected wetlands
Extent/rate of change salt and brackish marshes
Extent/rate of change eelgrass/seagrass beds
Extent/rate of change cold water streams
Extent/rate of change forested habitat
Extent/rate of change to floodplains
Extent/rate of change rivers/streams dammed
Food web structure (phytoplankton, zooplankton, etc.)
Water quality measurements that affect fisheries habitat (dissolved oxygen, nutrients,
temperature, pH, salinity, etc.)
Indices of ecological integrity (e.g., Mass. CAPS); can be used to assess number and
percent of stream/river miles, lake acres, estuary acres, wetland acres, etc.
New York – New Jersey Harbor
http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/nep/upload/New-York-New-Jersey-SOE_Rprt.pdf
Indicators:
- Tributary connections
- Shorelines and Shallows
- Wetlands
- Eelgrass Beds
- Habitat for Waterbirds
- Habitat for Fish, Crab, and Lobsters
- Oyster Reefs
- Sediment Contamination
- Enclosed Confined Waters
- Public Access
- Coastal and Maritime Forest
- Fish
- Exotic Species
- Harbor Seals
- Pollution
- Floatable Debris
- Pathogens
- Nutrients
- Dissolved Oxygen
- Toxic Chemicals
- Climate Change
- Public Access
12
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
http://www.delawareestuary.org/pdf/EstuaryNews/2012/SummerNews12.pdf
Indicators:
- Forest and Natural Areas
- Horseshoe Crab
- Water Use and Needs
- Eastern Oysters
- Fresh and Saltwater Balance
- Blue Crabs
- Water Pollution
- Osprey
- Contaminants
- Freshwater Mussels
- Sediments
- Atlantic Sturgeon
- Coastal Wetlands
- American Shad
- Climate Change
Tillamook Estuaries Partnership
- Indicators:
o Bacteria Loads
o Riparian Conditions
o Eelgrass Beds
- Unsure if these are the only indicators
- More research/interviews are needed
Tampa Bay Estuary Program
(http://www.tbep.org/pdfs/ctc/State%20of%20the%20Bay.pdf)
- Indicators:
o Water Quality and Sediment (nitrogen, chlorophyll, enterococci)
o Bay Habitat
o Seagrass
o Fish and Wildlife
o Invasive Species
o Dredging and Dredged Material Management
o Spill Prevention and Response
o Public Access
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
http://sarasotabay.org/about-sbep/
- Information is very difficult to find. May have to read through the CCMP to find the
indicators
13
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
14
Santa Monica Bay Restoration
- Information is very difficult to find. May have to find the CCMP or call someone for a
starting point. The website is very nice though.
San Juan Bay Restoration
- Information may not be difficult to find but it has to be translated from Spanish to
English. This in it self may take some time with the help of my browsers translation
plug-in.
San Francisco Estuary Partnership
http://sfep.sfei.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/11SFEP_STATEofSFBAY2011.pdf
- Indicators:
o Water Quality
 Aquatic Life safety
 Safe to eat Bay fish
 Safe for humans to swim
o Water Quantity
 Amounts, timing and patterns of freshwater inflow, variability
o Estuarine Open Water
 Quantity and quality of seasonal low salinity habitat
o Baylands
 Regional extent
 Size of existing parcels
 Physical/biological conditions
o Watershed
 Width of riparian areas
 Stream habitat condition
 Stream biological integrity
o Invertebrates
 Shrimp and crab abundance
 Shrimp distribution
 Shrimp and crab species composition
o Fish
 Abundance, diversity, species composition, and distribution of the Bay’s
fish community
o Birds
 Abundance of breeding tidal marsh birds
 Tidal marsh bird reproductive success
 Heron/egret nest density
 Heron/egret nest success
 Winter waterfowl abundance
o Flood Events
 Frequency and magnitude of high freshwater inflow events
o Food web
 Number of young reared per great blue heron and great egret successful
breeding attempt
 Number of Brandt’s cormorant young per breeding pair on Alcatraz Island
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
Puget Sound Partnership
The list of indicators (vital signs) are found at this website
http://www.psp.wa.gov/vitalsigns/index.php
Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership
http://prep.unh.edu/resources/pdf/2013%20SOOE/SOOE_2013_FA2.pdf
- Indicators
o Impervious Surfaces
o Nutrient Load
o Nutrient Concentration
o Microalgae (Phytoplankton) and Macroalgae
o Dissolved Oxygen
o Eelgrass
o Sediment Concentrations.
o Bacteria
o Shellfish Harvest Opportunities
o Beach Closures
o Toxic Contaminants
o Oysters
o Clams
o Migratory Fish
o Salt Marsh Restoration
o Conservation Land (General)
o Conservation Land (Priority)
o Oyster Restoration
o Eelgrass Restoration
o Migratory Fish Restoration
Peconic Estuary Program
http://www.peconicestuary.org/index.php - Target Issues
- Indicators
o Eelgrass
o Algal Blooms
o Shellfish
o Nitrogen
o Public Outreach
o Land Protection
15
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
Appendix B.
Combined NEP Indicators List (see supplemental Excel file)
16
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
Appendix C.
Environmental Indicators by NEP Region
17
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
18
Appendix D.
Identified Fish Species from NEP Regions and the Methods of Monitoring, Measuring, and
Evaluation (see supplemental Excel file, Sheet 2)
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
19
Appendix E.
A Sample of Research Conducted on NEP Indicator (Seagrass) by Mark Phalsaphie
NEP: Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program
Where info was collected:
http://www.apnep.org/
Program goals found in CCMP:
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/apnep/ccmp
Type of species: Seagrasses ” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations: N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
Restoring clam populations to improve Seagrass health
http://www.apnep.org/web/apnep/clamsandseagrass
This project expands on a small restoration project that confirmed a beneficial interaction
between hard clams and eelgrass. That study indicated clams are able to improve the condition
and accelerate the recovery of degraded seagrass meadows by fertilizing sediments and
improving water clarity through bio-filtration. The project will restore approximately 2.5 acres of
clam populations within seagrass meadows at sites in Back and Pamlico Sounds to spur further
eelgrass recovery. This restoration project is being led by researchers at UNC’s Institute of
Marine Sciences.
NEP: Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program
Where info was collected:
http://www.btnep.org/BTNEP/search.aspx?IndexCatalogue=SeachAll&SearchQuery=seagrass
Environmental Indicator Report 2010
www.btnep.org/Libraries/Reports/Shedding_Light_on_Our_Estuary_and_Our_economy.sflb.ash
x
Type of species: Seagrasses NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations: N/A
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
20
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
NEP: Barnegat Bay Partnership
Where info was collected: http://bbp.ocean.edu/pages/272.asp?q=seagrass&x=7&y=10
State of the Bay Report | 2011: Barnegat Bay Partnership Indicator: Seagrass:
http://bbp.ocean.edu/Reports/BBP%202011%20State%20Of%20The%20Bay%20Report%20We
b-format.pdf (pp.48 – 49)
2005 State of the Bay Technical Report
http://bbp.ocean.edu/Reports/2005-state_of_bay_tech.pdf
Type of species: Seagrasses (Indicator)
Where/how/how often monitored: Comprehensive investigations of seagrass in the Barnegat
Bay-Little egg harbor estuary annually over the past seven years indicate a general decline of
habitat condition in response to increasing eutrophic impacts.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): The decline of seagrass in
New Jersey’s coastal bays is a major concern because seagrass is critically important, both as
habitat for many fish and invertebrates, and as a source of nutrition. … Seagrass subsystems,
which in the Barnegat Bay consist of eelgrass (Zostera marina) and widgeon grass (Ruppia
maritima), are excellent indicators of water quality and sediment quality conditions, as well as,
indicators of overall ecosystem health because they integrate water quality and benthic
attributes…
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
NEP: Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program
Where info was collected: http://www.buzzardsbay.org/
http://www.google.com/cse?cx=003594196084925200791%3A-rapeuuci70&ie=UTF8&q=seagrass&sa=Search+#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=seagrass&gsc.page=1
“EELGRASS” Indicator, “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
http://www.buzzardsbay.org/eelgrass.htm
SOB Report:
http://buzzardsbay.org/state-of-bay.htm
http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/LearnTheIssues
http://buzzardsbay.org/eelgrass.htm
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
21
Type of species: EELGRASS, “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: Every four years the Buzzards Bay Coalition leads a
comprehensive review of the State of Buzzards Bay (Southeastern Massachussetts) using
indicators in the categories of water pollution,watershed health, and living resources to generate
the overall score. The 2011 Score of 45 shows a Bay that is functioning at less than half its
ecological capacity.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): The 2011 Score of 45
shows a Bay that is functioning at less than half its ecological capacity.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? The 2011 Score of 45 shows a Bay that is functioning at less than half its
ecological capacity due to water pollution, declining watershed health, and loss of living
resources.
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
NEP: Casco Bay Estuary Partnership
Where info was collected: http://www.cascobay.usm.maine.edu/index.html
State of the Bay: http://www.cascobay.usm.maine.edu/sotb.html
INDICATOR 14, EELGRASS:
http://www.cascobay.usm.maine.edu/pdfs/sotb2010indicator14.pdf
INDICATOR 9, EELGRASS:
http://www.cascobay.usm.maine.edu/pdfs/Indicator%2009--Eelgrass.pdf
Type of species: EELGRASS, “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: Portland Bay / Maquoit Bay, Every 8 years.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is
a flowering seagrass that lives in low intertidal and subtidal marine environments. It forms
extensive beds that provide critical habitat for fish, shellfish and other marine organisms
throughout Casco Bay. In addition to their habitat values, eelgrass beds are an important
indicator of the health of an estuarine ecosystem because they both contribute to – and depend
upon – good water quality.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? Eelgrass is vulnerable to a number of human activities, including boating.
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
22
NEP: Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
Where info was collected: http://www.chnep.org/
https://www.google.com/search?q=seagrass&sitesearch=chnep.org
2013 Update of CCMP: http://www.chnep.org/CCMP/CCMP2013.pdf
Type of species: Seagrasses NOT Used as an Indicator (Mentioned in CCMP under SAV).
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
NEP: Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program
Where info was collected: http://cbbep.org/projects/packery.pdf
2010 Environmental Indicators Report
http://www.cbbep.org/publications/IndicatorReport.pdf
http://www.cbbep.org/seagrass-information/
http://www.cbbep.org/publications/seagrassfact.pdf
http://cbbep.org/publications/FinalSeagrassReportTier2.pdf
Type of species: Seagrasses (Indicator # 14)
Where/how/how often monitored? Redfish Bay, Harbor Island, and Mustang Island segments of
the Nueces estuary system, Texas. Every 4 years.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): Seagrasses are essential for
the overall health of the Coastal Bay Estuaries.
Indicator #14 (2010): Seagrass coverage. Condition/Trend: Good/Improving
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
23
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
NEP: Delaware Center for the Inland Bays
Where info was collected: http://www.inlandbays.org/
2011 State of the Bays Report:
http://www.inlandbays.org/wp-content/documents/2011-state-of-the-bays.pdf
http://www.inlandbays.org/?s=seagrass
EELGRASS (SAV). “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
http://www.inlandbays.org/publication-science-technical-advisory-committee-presentations/
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): By the late 1970s, eelgrass
and most other bay grass species could not be found in the Inland Bays. Seaweed abundance was
much lower in 2009 compared to 1999. However, in 2009 levels of seaweed were still high
enough to prevent bay grasses from reestablishing in many locations.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Galveston Bay Estuary Program
Where info was collected: http://www.gbep.state.tx.us/
http://www.gbep.state.tx.us/the-bays-priority-problems
The Galveston Bay Plan lists 17 priority problems; however, there are no ecological indicators
included in that report.
2011 State of the Bay:
http://galvbaydata.org/StateoftheBay/tabid/1846/Default.aspx
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_r0400_0041.pdf
Type of species: Seagrasses Conservation Plan, but not as an Indicator:
Where/how/how often monitored: N/A
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
24
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program
Where info was collected: http://www.sjrwmd.com/itsyourlagoon
No clear ecological indicators specified.
http://staticlobbytools.s3.amazonaws.com/press/58692_an_river_lagoon_an_introduction_to_a_natural_trea
sure_2007.pdf
http://www.floridaoceanscouncil.org/management/2009/Indian_River_Lagoon_NEP.pdf
http://floridaswater.com/itsyourlagoon/
http://floridaswater.com/aquaticgrasses/
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Long Island Sound Study
Where info was collected: http://longislandsoundstudy.net/
http://longislandsoundstudy.net/?indicator_categories=habitats
http://longislandsoundstudy.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/sh03_uwtour.pdf
EELGRASS, but “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator:
http://longislandsoundstudy.net/category/status-and-trends/
Type of species: EELGRASS, but “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator:
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
25
Where/how/how often monitored: Eelgrass, Zostera marina, is a rooted underwater grass that
grows along the coast. Today eelgrass is only found in the eastern Sound, but it was once
common throughout. The project area encompasses the eastern end of Long Island Sound,
including Fishers Island and the North Fork of Long Island. Monitored every 3 years.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): Eelgrass meadow habitat
provides food and nesting grounds for fish, and food for many migratory birds. Eelgrass beds
abundance indicates good water quality and good habitat for aquatic life, and acceptable levels of
nutrients.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? Eelgrass was nearly wiped out, first by a fungal disease in the 1930s, and
more recently by poor water quality attributed to the effects of nitrogen pollution from sewage
discharges and storm-water runoff. However, the 2012 LIS report revealed an abundance of
Eelgrass.
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership
Where info was collected: http://www.estuarypartnership.org/
State of the estuary report: http://www.estuarypartnership.org/learn/state-of-the-estuary
State of the estuary report 2010:
http://www.estuarypartnership.org/sites/default/files/Estuary%20Partnership%20State%20of%20
the%20Estuary%20Report%202010.pdf
http://www.estuarypartnership.org/search/site/seagrass
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
General Estuary monitoring at 5 year intervals.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Maryland Coastal Bays Program:
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
26
Where info was collected: http://www.mdcoastalbays.org/
http://www.mdcoastalbays.org/blog
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Seagrasses have decline significantly in Maryland's Coastal Bays (5/23/12).
The latest survey measuring the underwater seagrass abundance in Maryland’s coastal bays
shows the plants have decreased by 35 percent in less than year. The sharp decline is believed to
be the result of degraded water quality combined with an especially hot summer in 2010 - when
large declines were also seen in the lower Chesapeake Bay (May 22, 2012).
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): The above mentioned
losses are troubling to the recovery of the bays..
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? Degraded water quality.
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Massachusetts Bays Program
Where info was collected:
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/mass-bays-program/#maincontent
State of the Bays:
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/mass-bays-program/state-of-the-bays/
State of the Bays 2010 (Every 4 years)
http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/mbp/publications/2010sob.pdf
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Type of species: EELGRASS, “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: N/A. EELGRASS has been monitored every 2-5 years.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): Eelgrass beds provide a
wide variety of ecosystem services vital to the health of coastal systems. Changes in abundance
or distribution of this resource are likely to have a significant impact on the many species that
depend on eelgrass habitat. Eelgrass and other seagrass species are commonly used as an
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
27
indicator of ecosystem health because they are extremely sensitive to natural and human
perturbations that affect water clarity and quality.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator
NEP: Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
Where info was collected: http://www.mobilebaynep.com/
State of Mobile Bay 15 Indicators (2008):
http://www.mobilebaynep.com/images/uploads/library/State-of-Mobile-Bay-Final.pdf
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator, but submerged aquatic vegetation
(SAV)
Where/how/how often monitored: N/A “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator, but SAV.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): Submerged aquatic
vegetation (SAV), including our coastal seagrass, is a vital habitat and a component in thriving
estuaries. SAV provides shelter for fish and invertebrates, nursery habitat for commercially and
recreationally important finfish and shellfish species, a food source for over-wintering
waterfowl, and prevention against erosion through sediment stabilization.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs:
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Morro Bay National Estuary Program
Where info was collected: http://www.mbnep.org/
http://www.mbnep.org/Library/data_summaries.html
2013 Annual Report:
http://www.mbnep.org/Library/Files/2013_AnnualReport.pdf
EELGRASS, BUT “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
28
http://www.mbnep.org/Library/Files/DataSummaries/2013_Eelgrass_Monitoring_Report_web.p
df
Type of species: EELGRASS (SAV), “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: Eelgrass monitored every 2-3 years: The Estuary Program
monitors eelgrass extent through bay-wide mapping on an annual or biennial frequency to track
changes in eelgrass distribution.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): Submerged aquatic
vegetation (SAV) beds are important components of coastal habitat and provide diverse benefits
to coastal marine and migratory species as well as substantial benefit in the form of ecosystem
services.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs:
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Narragansett Bay Estuary Program
Where info was collected: http://www.nbep.org/
http://www.nbep.org/ccmp-guidance.html
2011 Annual Report:
http://www.nbep.org/reports/annualReports/2011AnnualReport.pdf
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
Where info was collected: http://www.harborestuary.org/
http://www.harborestuary.org/index.htm
Health of the Harbor, 2004
http://www.harborestuary.org/reports/harborhealth.pdf
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs:
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
Where info was collected: http://www.delawareestuary.org/
State of Delaware Estuary Report 2012:
http://www.delawareestuary.org/pdf/EstuaryNews/2012/SummerNews12.pdf
http://delawareestuary.org/bay-bottom-inventory
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Peconic Estuary Program
29
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
30
Where info was collected: http://www.peconicestuary.org/
2005 Peconic Estuary Indicators report:
http://www.peconicestuary.org/reports/4575ac7f45605758cec5ae3b0bce5d5fdbcdcc35.pdf
http://www.peconicestuary.org/reports.php
Type of species: EELGRASS (environmental indicator, monitored every 2 years). “Seagrasses”
NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): While the Peconic Estuary
continues to show signs of stress, overall the indicators point to a healthy system, especially
relative to other estuaries nationwide. Eelgrass continues to be in decline, with an areal decrease
of at least 82% since the 1930s.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership
Where info was collected: http://www.stateofourestuaries.org/
State of Estuary Report 2013:
http://prep.unh.edu/resources/pdf/2013%20SOOE/SOOE_2013_FA2.pdf
Type of species: EELGRASS, “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: The majority of eelgrass in the estuary is in the Great bay
itself. EELGRASS is monitored every 5 years.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): Data indicate a long-term
decline in eelgrass since 1996 that is not related to wasting disease. Due to variability even
recent gains of new eelgrass still indicate an overall declining trend.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
31
NEP: Puget Sound Partnership
Where info was collected: http://www.psp.wa.gov/
http://www.psp.wa.gov/vitalsigns/index.php
2013 Status of the Sound (SOS), and Status of the ecosystem:
http://www.psp.wa.gov/SOS_download.php
http://www.psp.wa.gov/SOS-chapter3.php
Type of species: EELGRASS, “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: Eelgrass and other seagrass species are used as indicators of
estuarine health, with annual progress reports.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): Puget Sound, while one of
the most vibrant and complex regions in the nation, is at the same time one of the most fragile
ecosystems in the world.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: San Francisco Estuary Partnership
Where info was collected: http://www.sfestuary.org/
2011 State of the san Francisco Bay Report:
http://sfep.sfei.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/11SFEP_STATEofSFBAY2011.pdf
2005 - 2007 CCMP Report:
http://sfep.sfei.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/CCMP_2007_checkUp.pdf
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: San Francisco Bay. SOB and CCMP Reports every 2 years.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership
Where info was collected: http://www.estuario.org/ (In Spanish)
CCMP( In English):
http://www.estuario.org/index.php/ccmp-english
http://www.estuario.org/images/plandemanejo/CHAP4.pdf
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: San Juan Bay, Puerto Rico
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission
Where info was collected: http://www.santamonicabay.org/
2011 Annual Report:
http://www.smbrc.ca.gov/annual_reports/docs/2011annlrpt.pdf
http://www.smbrc.ca.gov/about_us/smbr_plan/index.shtml
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Annual Report by the Bay Restoration Commission.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs:
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
32
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
33
NEP: Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
Where info was collected: http://sarasotabay.org/
http://sarasotabay.org/habitat-restoration/seagrasses/
CCMP: http://sarasotabay.org/documents/Sarasota-Bay-The-Voyage-To-Paradise-Reclaimed1995.pdf
Type of species: Seagrasses. Five Types of Seagrass:
Turtle Grass, Manatee Grass, Shoal Grass, Star Grass, and Widgeon Grass.
Where/how/how often monitored: Sarasota Bay.
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): Seagrasses are grass-like flowering plants that
live completely submerged in marine and estuarine waters. Seagrasses provide shelter and protection essential to
supporting much of the Bay’s aquatic life. It is generally recognized that seagrass coverage is a function of water
clarity and availability of appropriate bottom substrate. The Bay area is home to five common species of seagrasses:
shoal grass, turtle grass, manatee grass, widgeon grass and star grass.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? Seagrass habitat decreased by 30 percent from 1950 to 1988 as a result of
declines in water clarity and dredge-and-fill projects. Seagrass coverage has increased 46 percent
to levels 28 percent above 1950.
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
NEP: Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Where info was collected: http://www.tbep.org/
State of Tampa Bay: http://baysoundings.com/the-state-of-tampa-bay/
http://www.google.com/cse?cx=014231753219530362556%3A2ydh2m2tchc&ie=UTF8&q=seagrass&sa=Search#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=seagrass&gsc.page=1
Estuary-Friendly Links: http://www.tbep.org/links.html
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: N/A
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): Tampa Bay gained more
than 1,300 acres of seagrass between 2006 and 2008, and now supports more seagrass than at
any time measured since the 1950s, according to the most recent aerial surveys of the bay.
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
NEP: Tillamook Estuaries Partnership
Where info was collected: http://www.tbnep.org/
EVALUATION OF NEP INDICATORS- APPENDICES
LINK HACKED. CANNOT BE ACCESSED
Type of species: “Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
Where/how/how often monitored: N/A
Relationship to overall health of each involved estuary (as reported): N/A
Any region-specific/weather-based/anthropogenic/external incidents or issues that influenced
results/populations? N/A
Conveyance of ecosystem health for indicator across all involved NEPs: N/A
“Seagrasses” NOT Used as an Indicator.
34