Monitoring

Tag: Monitoring

Puget Sound Marine Waters Overview 2020

Science during the year of Covid: The Puget Sound Marine Waters Overview

While Covid restrictions remain a part of everyday life, a lot has eased since the global quarantines of spring 2020. During that time, the coronavirus effectively shut down scientific fieldwork in Puget Sound, leaving huge gaps in data for most facets of the ecosystem, from orcas to eelgrass.
Despite the lockdowns, a new report from the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program offers an assessment of marine conditions during 2020 and paints a surprisingly complete picture of the local environment at that time. This is the tenth year that the group has prepared an annual marine waters overview, and while the environmental conditions measured in 2020 may not have been particularly remarkable — they are described in the report as “somewhat typical in terms of Puget Sound water properties and biota” — the challenges for scientists were extraordinary and historic.
In some cases, during the pandemic, Puget Sound scientists risked their health to monitor endangered species or to conduct research deemed essential by state and federal agencies. Autonomous sampling devices and citizen volunteers also provided much-needed help as many scientists were grounded and research vessels were docked.
Much of this data has been compiled in the annual report, which the authors call “a tribute to the resilience of the scientists and institutions producing it.” Thanks to their efforts and those of dozens of scientists at agencies, tribes and other organizations, the Puget Sound Marine Waters Overview 2020 summarizes what we know about Puget Sound’s marine ecosystem during Covid Year One. The overview examines patterns and trends in numerous categories, including plankton, water quality, climate, and marine life. Technical summaries from the report are also used to inform the Puget Sound Vital Signs, a series of indicators of Puget Sound ecosystem health established by the Puget Sound Partnership.

The following highlights from the report were provided by the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program. The Puget Sound Institute assisted with the preparation of the report.
Conditions in Puget Sound were generally warmer, sunnier, and wetter in 2020 but not extreme. 

  • Coastal deep waters, source waters to the Salish Sea, were cooler than typical as recorded since 2014 and may have been influenced by La Nina conditions. Surface waters returned to near normal, signaling the end of the 2019 marine heat wave.
  • Though runoff and precipitation were somewhat above normal, salinity in Puget Sound was generally higher than average, suggesting that the longer period of upwelling of cool and salty waters had the predominant influence. Both Puget Sound’s temperature and salinity conditions during 2020 highlight the strong controlling influence of the coastal ocean on these inland waters
  • Seasonal phytoplankton blooms were evident in the Main Basin of Puget Sound, with diatoms predominating as usual in spring and transitioning to flagellates in summer.
  • Zooplankton were relatively typical across most of the Sound, but with higher abundance and biomass in northern Puget Sound and Padilla Bay. Species differences can influence the relationship between abundance and biomass. For example, modest abundance of a large oceanic copepod in the north Sound yielded high zooplankton biomass, while record high abundance of a smaller resident copepod in the south Sound resulted in relatively normal biomass.
  • Overall, there was a small increase in the number of beaches that met swimming standards in 2020 relative to 2019. The highest fecal bacteria concentrations occurred in September through December, associated with increased rainfall.

No fish kills or strong hypoxia events were reported.

  • Dissolved oxygen (DO), affected by phytoplankton and seawater processes, was not particularly high or low in 2020.
  • Some seasonal blooms and moderate hypoxia were seen in isolated areas like south Hood Canal, Quartermaster Harbor, and Port Susan.

Ocean acidification (OA) in Puget Sound waters continues as our understanding of patterns grows. 

  • Annual average atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) values over Hood Canal were high relative to globally averaged marine surface air, yet were at the same level as in 2019 rather than showing the expected annual increase, possibly reflecting reduced regional emissions due to COVID-19. West coast wildfires put a definite mark on conditions in September 2020, with reduced sunlight and increased atmospheric CO2 levels on the coast and in Puget Sound.

Biological responses to changing conditions vary – some good news, some bad. 

  • Zooplankton were relatively typical but with higher abundance and biomass in northern Puget Sound and Padilla Bay.
  • Pacific herring spawning biomass was highest since 1984, but driven by only two successful stocks, indicating a loss in diversity of the herring stock portfolio. 
  • Juvenile Puget Sound-origin Chinook migrating through the San Juan Islands have been eating less forage fish than in 2011-2014. 

Seabird abundance and species diversity were typical to low. An encouraging observation is that the rhinoceros auklet breeding effort and reproductive success that, after three consecutive years of anomalously poor conditions had returned to long-term average values in 2019, were stable in 2020.
Next year, the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program will begin compiling a summary of the marine conditions of 2021.

Two science and monitoring funding opportunities from the Puget Sound Partnership

From the Puget Sound Partnership:

Announcing Two Science and Monitoring Funding Opportunities from the Puget Sound Partnership 

The Partnership is pleased to announce two solicitations for collaborative proposals to inform and accelerate Puget Sound recovery: Puget Sound Scientific Research and Monitoring to Accelerate Recovery. Projects are expected to begin early fall and continue through June 30, 2023 (or September 30, 2023 for a subset of ‘Monitoring’ projects). The two solicitations are complementary in nature. In addition to advancing Puget Sound recovery, both recognize the importance of and seek to advance management-relevant science; biophysical and social sciences integration; justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and climate change considerations. 

Letters of Intent are due May 14th, 2021 and Full Proposals are due August 6, 2021 for both solicitations. 

The Partnership seeks proposals from those leads and team members who encompass a range of backgrounds, disciplines, and career stages. Project leads must be affiliated with an organization, agency, or tribal government that is licensed to do business in the state of Washington. The Partnership is committed to building an inclusive program that serves all people including those with unique needs, circumstances, perspectives, and ways of knowing. Eligible applicants of all ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, cultures, religions, citizenship types, marital statuses, job classifications, veteran status types, and socioeconomic statuses are encouraged to apply. 

Puget Sound Scientific Research funds will focus on advancing the Priority Science Work Actions identified in the 2020-2024 Science Work Plan, which included human-biophysical interactions, effectiveness of recovery interventions, ecological conditions and effects, and science-based decision-support topics. A total of $1.7 million will be allocated towards two project types:  

  1. Integrated Social Ecological Systems Awards are larger in scope and co-developed across disciplines—1-2 awards anticipated for a total of $600,000 to $1,200,000
  2. Targeted Research Awards should be designed to address critical gaps in knowledge or advance innovate approaches—8-12 awards anticipated for a total of $500,000 to $1,100,000   

Monitoring to Accelerate Recovery funds support the objectives of the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP) Strategic Plan to increase collaboration, support adaptive management, and improve communication. Approximately $750,000 will be available to support an estimated eight to 20 projects in total, with individual project budgets ranging from a minimum of $30,000 to a maximum of $100,000. This webpage includes a summary of details including information about previously funded projects.  

Projects must address priority information needs under one or both of the following project categories and include a detailed engagement plan: 

  1. Category 1: Monitoring, assessment, and reporting of the status and trends of Vital Sign indicators — 4-10 projects totaling approximately $400,000
  2. Category 2: Synthesis and evaluation of causes behind ecosystem conditions; evaluation of cumulative effects — effectiveness assessment; 4-10 projects totaling approximately $350,000   

Please see full request for proposals for Puget Sound Scientific Research and Monitoring to Accelerate Recovery for additional details on requirements, how to apply, and contact information for solicitation questions.  

Please share this announcement and consider registering for an information session if you are interested in applying: 

  • Register here for the information session on Puget Sound Scientific Research for Thursday, April 29, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. PST  
  • Register here for the information session on Monitoring to Accelerate Recovery for Tuesday, April 27, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. PST  

 

This bulletin was sent to the Puget Sound Partnership Science Panel, PSEMP Steering Committee, PSEMP Work Group Leads, and PSEMP Interested Parties lists. 

Armor-removal project at Cornet Bay State Park before and after site restoration. Photo courtesy of PSEMP

Tracking the effectiveness of armor removal in Puget Sound

The removal of shoreline armoring has become a priority for the state’s Puget Sound recovery efforts. The Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP) is providing details on the effectiveness of armor-removal projects at 49 study sites.
Summary
In February 2019 the PSEMP Nearshore work group completed the compilation of armor-removal sites that have had restoration and monitoring occur since 2005. Sites are also included if pre-restoration monitoring has occurred, and restoration is planned to occur in the near future. Sites are not listed when monitoring has not occurred, or if restoration occurred pre-2005. Sites were compiled based on knowledge and participation within the PSEMP work group, and should be considered to cover the majority of sites where active monitoring is occurring, but likely not all sites.
The focus is on sites where shoreline armor (e.g., seawall, bulkhead, riprap) has been removed, or is planned to be removed. Other restoration techniques were included when monitoring information was available, focusing on the techniques from the Marine Shoreline Design Guidelinesand Your Marine Waterfront: (1) Removal, (2) Nourishment, (3) Logs, and (4) Vegetation.Links to photos of pre-post restoration are included when available, in addition to those included in the links to websites and literature sources.Shoretype is listed from the CGS Beach Strategies GIS data.This list is meant as an informative resource to those interested in ongoing restoration and monitoring activities. The goal is to provide this information in a single place, in order to increase communication and collaboration across groups.
The list details a total of 49 sites, 36 of which had armor removed as of January 2019, for a total length of 20,948 feet of armor removed. Key website links and literature sources for restoration actions and monitoring activities are listed for each site when available. The goal is to update this list every year, as part of ongoing PSEMP Nearshore activities.
A summary, Excel spreadsheet, and Google Earth map can be found at the Puget Sound Partnership website. You can also read a summary PDF.

Armor-removal project at Cornet Bay State Park before and after site restoration. Photo courtesy of PSEMP

Tracking the effectiveness of armor removal in Puget Sound

The removal of shoreline armoring has become a priority for the state’s Puget Sound recovery efforts. The Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP) is providing details on the effectiveness of armor-removal projects at 49 study sites.
Summary
In February 2019 the PSEMP Nearshore work group completed the compilation of armor-removal sites that have had restoration and monitoring occur since 2005. Sites are also included if pre-restoration monitoring has occurred, and restoration is planned to occur in the near future. Sites are not listed when monitoring has not occurred, or if restoration occurred pre-2005. Sites were compiled based on knowledge and participation within the PSEMP work group, and should be considered to cover the majority of sites where active monitoring is occurring, but likely not all sites.
The focus is on sites where shoreline armor (e.g., seawall, bulkhead, riprap) has been removed, or is planned to be removed. Other restoration techniques were included when monitoring information was available, focusing on the techniques from the Marine Shoreline Design Guidelinesand Your Marine Waterfront: (1) Removal, (2) Nourishment, (3) Logs, and (4) Vegetation.Links to photos of pre-post restoration are included when available, in addition to those included in the links to websites and literature sources.Shoretype is listed from the CGS Beach Strategies GIS data.This list is meant as an informative resource to those interested in ongoing restoration and monitoring activities. The goal is to provide this information in a single place, in order to increase communication and collaboration across groups.
The list details a total of 49 sites, 36 of which had armor removed as of January 2019, for a total length of 20,948 feet of armor removed. Key website links and literature sources for restoration actions and monitoring activities are listed for each site when available. The goal is to update this list every year, as part of ongoing PSEMP Nearshore activities.
A summary, Excel spreadsheet, and Google Earth map can be found at the Puget Sound Partnership website. You can also read a summary PDF.

PCBs in fish remain steady while other toxics decline

English Sole (Parophrys vetulus) in Puget Sound. Photo: biodiversityguy https://biodiversityguy.smugmug.com/Underwater/Reference-List-Photos-of/i-3GgD5hB/A
English Sole (Parophrys vetulus) in Puget Sound. Photo: biodiversityguy https://biodiversityguy.smugmug.com/Underwater/Reference-List-Photos-of/i-3GgD5hB/A

A new study shows a surprising decline in some toxic chemicals in Puget Sound fish, while levels of PCBs increased in some cases. Scientists say the study shows that banning toxic chemicals can work, but old contaminants remain a challenge as they continue to wash into Puget Sound.
Read our story in Salish Sea Currents. 

Advances in technology help researchers evaluate threatened Puget Sound steelhead

A steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Cascade River, WA, 2014. Photo: © Morgan Bond http://www.morganhbond.com/
A steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Cascade River, WA, 2014. Photo: © Morgan Bond http://www.morganhbond.com/

New, smaller acoustic tags will allow scientists to track steelhead migrations in Puget Sound in ways that were once impossible. Will this new technology provide answers to the mysterious decline of these now-threatened fish?
Read the article in Salish Sea Currents.

Advances in technology help researchers evaluate threatened Puget Sound steelhead

A steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Cascade River, WA, 2014. Photo: © Morgan Bond http://www.morganhbond.com/
A steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Cascade River, WA, 2014. Photo: © Morgan Bond http://www.morganhbond.com/

New, smaller acoustic tags will allow scientists to track steelhead migrations in Puget Sound in ways that were once impossible. Will this new technology provide answers to the mysterious decline of these now-threatened fish?
Read the article in Salish Sea Currents.