Vandiver, Lisa; Kaufman, Kris; Rice, Susie; Ferguson, Rob; Poussard, Leanne

Developing an Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: Evaluating Success of Land-Based Sources of Pollution Management on Culebra Island, Puerto Rico

2021

NOAA Restoration Center; NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program; Sociedad Ambiente Marino; United States Fish and Wildlife Service; Puerto Ricos Department of Environmental and Natural Resources; Horsley Witten Group; University of Texas - Austin; NOAA National Center for Coastal Ocean Science; United States Geological Survey; NOAA Office for Coastal Management; United States Environmental Protection Agency; Clemson University; Protectores de Cuencas; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; Inferential Consulting; Caribbean Coastal and Ocean Observing System (CariCOOS); Washington State University; San Diego State University; University of Puerto Rico

"The current document provides an update on the ongoing effort to develop an Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Framework that will provide the basis for evaluating success of land-based sources of pollution (LBSP) management on Culebra. In 2020, NOAA managers convened a group of subject matter experts (SMEs) for recommendations on cost-effective monitoring approaches to collect data to inform evaluation questions and determine LBSP management success. LBSP management outcomes and goals were identified across multiple spatial scales: BMP/Site, Watershed, and Nearshore Ecosystem. Corresponding evaluation questions were used to select indicators that are most sensitive to LBSP threats and, therefore, are most likely to provide meaningful data (over time and space) to address the questions. In addition, methodological considerations were discussed for each indicator. Using a Multiple Lines of Evidence (MLE) approach, it is anticipated that priority indicators could be monitored to collectively evaluate ecosystem response to LBSP management actions on Culebra. This document also identifies initial monitoring priorities at BMP/site, watershed, and nearshore spatial scales to establish baselines and track changes to LBSP stressors, pollutant exposure, and habitat response. In summary, the tasks and studies funded will establish identify priority fixed stations for monitoring LBSP stressors, pollutant exposures, and seagrass habitat response over time. These sites will represent a range of LBSP stressors and management levels to inform baseline benthic habitat risk assessments while also assisting in the identification of potential ecological tipping points."

land-based sources of pollution, coral, watershed, Puerto Rico, Multiple Lines of Evidence

NMFS

OHC

FY2021 CRCP Project ID 30033; Project Title: Reducing LBSP threats from unpaved roads on Culebra Island; Principal Investigator: Lisa Vandiver