Monitoring Gaps and Priorities identified by the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program
Presentation Abstract
We present the most important monitoring gaps identified by the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP) based on an assessment initially conducted over the period 2012-2014, and then refreshed in late 2015 and early 2016. The assessment was led by PSEMP technical workgroups and individual Vital Sign Indicator Leads, and involved over 200 subject experts, regional monitoring program leaders, scientists and data users across Puget Sound. Our results are based on detailed inventories of current monitoring, followed by an evaluation of monitoring gaps and information needs critical to tracking the condition and recovery of Puget Sound. We initially identified over 50 high priority monitoring gaps and funding needs across more than 12 topic areas. Gaps were classified as one of three types: 1) new monitoring programs needed to collect and report data where none currently exist, 2) expanding current monitoring where coverage is incomplete or not representative, and, 3) gaps related to data management, analysis, or reporting. Although we evaluated gaps based primarily on their importance to tracking ecosystem conditions and trends, to improve management relevance we subsequently grouped those gaps into several recommended categories, including: a) Gaps limiting our ability to track or report the Puget Sound Vital Signs; b) Gaps related to the three Strategic Initiatives described in the Puget Sound Action Agenda (stormwater, shellfish, habitat); and c) Gaps related to other critical science or management priorities.
Session Title
Softening Borders through Information Exchange: Monitoring and Indicator- Efforts Within and Across Boundaries in the Salish Sea
Conference Track
Policy and Management
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Environmental monitoring--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Ecosystem management--Washington (State)--Puget Sound;
Subjects – Names (LCNAF)
Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)--Environmental conditions
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Monitoring Gaps and Priorities identified by the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program
2016SSEC
We present the most important monitoring gaps identified by the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP) based on an assessment initially conducted over the period 2012-2014, and then refreshed in late 2015 and early 2016. The assessment was led by PSEMP technical workgroups and individual Vital Sign Indicator Leads, and involved over 200 subject experts, regional monitoring program leaders, scientists and data users across Puget Sound. Our results are based on detailed inventories of current monitoring, followed by an evaluation of monitoring gaps and information needs critical to tracking the condition and recovery of Puget Sound. We initially identified over 50 high priority monitoring gaps and funding needs across more than 12 topic areas. Gaps were classified as one of three types: 1) new monitoring programs needed to collect and report data where none currently exist, 2) expanding current monitoring where coverage is incomplete or not representative, and, 3) gaps related to data management, analysis, or reporting. Although we evaluated gaps based primarily on their importance to tracking ecosystem conditions and trends, to improve management relevance we subsequently grouped those gaps into several recommended categories, including: a) Gaps limiting our ability to track or report the Puget Sound Vital Signs; b) Gaps related to the three Strategic Initiatives described in the Puget Sound Action Agenda (stormwater, shellfish, habitat); and c) Gaps related to other critical science or management priorities.
