Ken Rice; Laura Brandt
The study supports Lower West Coast projects in the Department Of Interior (DOI) science plan (specifically: Southwest Florida Feasibility Study and C-43 Basin Storage Reservoir) by (a) developing stress-response models of habitat for coastal species selected during Caloosahatchee conceptual modeling and (b) developing integrated assessment tools to support landscape level decision-making.
3205 College Ave.
Mazzotti, F J.
DeAngelis, Donald; Mazzotti, Frank; Barnes, Tomma; Duever, Michael; Starnes, Janet
Coastal: Five ecological suitability models, Blue Crab, Eastern Oyster, Spotted Sea Trout, Seagrasses (Halodule and Thalassia) and freshwater submerged grass Valisneria have been completed and incorporated as modules into a decision interface that allows the user to perform pair-wise comparisons of spatially-explicit species habitat suitability model runs against alternative Caloosahatchee River water release scenarios, examine the contribution of each input variables (e.g., salinity, temperature, flow) to the resulting suitability values, and obtain habitat units for decision models.
Inland: Meetings with the SWFFS Natural Systems Group are resulting in a series inland systems performance measures and modeling efforts that will be incorporated as modules in a decision interface. Dale Gawlik and Philip Heidemann have been collecting in-depth information in one-on-one interviews with wading bird experts in Southwestern Florida and completed a conceptual model with associated parameter values to be coded. An amphibian work group composed of Mike Duever, Ken Rice, Harden Waddle, and David Ceilly has completed a conceptual model with associated parameter values to be coded. Work on potential performance measures for landscape connectivity of large mammals, and models of aquatic fauna communities begins in September.
Early April work continued development of inland habitat models. The initial models were presented for comments to the NSG twice in May and from biologist at the GEER conference in early June. At the end of June all of the models (wading birds, amphibian communities, aquatic fauna communities, and large mammal connectivity and roadkill risk index) were operational, but untested.
Coastal/Estuarine Model Expansion: The current estuarine forecasting model will be expanded to include Estero Bay and will include all species appropriate for that region. Models will be calibrated and refined for Estero Bay and new documentation will be developed where necessary.
Inland Forecasting Model calibration, refinement, and documentation: The HSI models that make up the inland forecasting model will be evaluated, refined, calibrated, and verified using available scientific data and local scientific knowledge as hydrologic output become available. HSI models will be documented in the accepted IMC format.
Alternative Assessment: Restoration alternatives (project designs) will be evaluated using the ecological forecasting models. In addition, a 2000 base run and a 2050 without project run will be performed. This process includes the capture of hydrologic data and the conversion of this data into a usable format. Modeled results will be delivered in an Excel format. In addition results will be integrated into a decision support system for further project alternative evaluation.
Training: University of Florida (UF) will train district staff to operate modeling software for future modeling efforts.
3205 College Ave.
3205 College Ave.
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U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
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