NOAA Science Seminar Series

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Bay scallop resilience multigenerational ocean acidification experiments

Presenter(s): Shannon Meseck, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Sponsor(s): U.S. Northeast Climate-Fisheries Seminar Series; coordinator is
Vincent.Saba@noaa.gov Location: Webinar

Remote Access: https://meet.google.com/paw-jhrb-nzr

Abstract: TBD

Bio(s): TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the OneNOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information.

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Estuaries past, present and future: Using elevations and historical maps to characterize estuarine habitats across 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves

Presenter(s):

• Kerstin Wasson, Research Coordinator, Elkhorn Slough NERR
• Charlie Endris, GIS Specialist, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
• Andrea Woolfolk, Stewardship Coordinator, Elkhorn Slough NERR
• Suzanne Shull, GIS Specialist, Padilla Bay NERR

Sponsor(s): This webinar is sponsored by the NERRS Science CollaborativeSeminar Contacts: Doug George (douglas.george@noaa.gov) or Nick Soberal (nsoberal@umich.edu) Location: Webinar

Remote Access: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_33F-LjrSQpW6qE_1062QiAAbstract
Estuaries are coastal gems. To protect and restore them, we need a clear understanding of exactly where they are, where they were, and where they could be in the future. A team led by the National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs) recently completed an ambitious effort to map estuarine habitat in and around the 30 NERRs. They used a powerful combination of NOAA resources for elevation and tidal datums to map the reach of tides, historical topographic sheets generated by NOAA's predecessor agency to map past habitat distributions, and compared this to mapping from USFWS's National Wetland Inventory (NWI). Elevation-based mapping revealed that estuary extent is greater than currently mapped in NWI. At more than two-thirds of the Reserves, the team detected tidal forests missed by NWI. Comparison of historical maps to NWI revealed dramatically greater loss of tidal wetland extent on the Pacific coast than in other regions. The results of this investigation suggest that multiple mapping methods complement each other and should be integrated to provide a more accurate understanding of estuaries"past, present and future.

Bio(s): Please visit here for more information about the webinar.Subscribe to the One NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email:Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Assessment of marine, estuarine, and riverine habitat vulnerability to climate change

Presenter(s): Michael Johnson, MS, Regional climate & resilience coordinator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office

Sponsor(s): NOAA NWFSC Monster Seminar Jam

Seminar Contacts: Vicky Krikelas, Vicky.Krikelas@noaa.gov
Location: Webinar

Join via Webex:

https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/noaanmfs-meets/j.php?MTID=m13be6e4e4f7af5fc75612760532574db

Meeting number: 2763 575 3111
Meeting password: axKJ28Jc7mP

Join via phone: 1-415-527-5035 U.S. Toll Free; Can't join the meeting? Contact support.

Abstract: Vulnerability assessments have become an important tool in climate change science. As the Northeast U.S. Shelf and other regions continues to experience rapid change, it will be important to understand the relative vulnerability of its species, habitats, and communities to that change. We developed the Habitat Climate Vulnerability Assessment (HCVA), which considers climate impacts on the habitats of fish and protected species in the Northeast U.S. region. The objective of the study was to provide regional managers and scientists with a practical tool to efficiently assess the relative vulnerability of habitats to climate change. The HCVA considers two components, exposure and the sensitivity (including adaptability), to determine vulnerability of marine, estuarine, and riverine habitats to climate change from Cape Hatteras, NC to the Maine-Canada border. The framework incorporated key environmental drivers of change and the sensitivity of habitats to those changes, and used expert elicitation, which relies on expert knowledge, to score the sensitivity and exposure of each habitat. Some of the goals of the study were to contribute to an understanding of the long-term effects of climate change to fish habitats, identification of particularly vulnerable habitats, and inform decisions regarding EFH designations and consultations, and fishery management.

BIO

Mike has worked for the National Marine Fisheries Service for 24 years, with the majority of that time spent in the Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division (HESD) in the Greater Atlantic Region. He has a MS degree in biology with a focus on ichthyology and marine ecology. In addition to decades of experience conducting Essential Fish Habitat consultations in the northeast region, Mike is the climate coordinator for the HESD and Greater Atlantic Region Fisheries Office. He has served on numerous climate coordination groups nationally and regionally, developed guidance for integrating climate science into the HESD program, and was a lead author on a climate vulnerability assessment for coastal habitats in the northeast region. His interest in climate change extends to his personal life, where he is the chair of the climate resiliency committee in the Town of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Mike enjoys road and gravel bike riding in New England and beyond.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Effects of vertical mixing on the Lake Michigan food web: an application of a linked end-to-end Earth System Model Framework

Presenter(s): Hongyan Zhang (Eureka Aquatic Res. LLC), David Cannon (U. Michigan)

Sponsor(s): NOAA Coastal Ocean Modeling Seminars: https://coastaloceanmodels.noaa.gov/seminar/

SeminarContact: Alexander.Kurapov@noaa.govLocation: Webinar

Remote Access: Connect with Google Meet meet.google.com/kti-ktaw-nes,
Phone Numbers (US)+1414-856-5982 PIN: 248 179#

Abstract: Physical processes may affect ecosystem structure and function through the accumulation, transport and dispersal of organic and inorganic materials, nutrients, and organisms; they structure physical habitat, and can influence predator-prey interactions and trophic production. In the Laurentian Great Lakes, horizontal currents generally dominate, but little is known about the effects of vertical mixing on lake food webs. We developed a linked earth system model and used it to explore how vertical mixing affects the productivity of Lake Michigan (LM), the world's fifth largest lake, whose food web and fisheries have been adversely affected by invasive Dreissena mussels. We hypothesized that higher vertical mixing would result in higher food web biomass by making phosphorus more available to the lower food web, and that filtration by invasive mussels would counter the effects of mixing and decrease food web biomass. Using linked climate, hydrodynamics and ecosystem models, we projected the response of LM's food web to scenarios of different levels of vertical mixing, with and without invasive mussels. Biomass of most functional food web groups increased with increases in vertical mixing, with greatest increases in phytoplankton and zooplankton. Increased biomass was due to the replenishment of nutrients into the euphotic zone, which enhanced growth and biomass of lower trophic levels through bottom-up effects. However, filtration by invasive mussels reduced the positive effects of mixing for most species. Future applications of the linked earth system framework will explore effects of climate warming and nutrient reduction on fisheries production to inform fisheries managers.

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Evolutionary status of antifreeze glycoprotein genotype and function may inform on environmental preference of Pacific cod and Walleye Pollock

Presenter(s): Chi-Hing Christina Cheng, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Sponsor(s): NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center Ground fish Seminar SeriesSeminar Contacts: Bianca.Prohaska@noaa.gov and Sarah.Friedman@noaa.gov (NOAA NMFS AFSC RACE GAP)Location: Webinar


Remote Access: Join by computer at: https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/noaanmfs-meets/j.php?MTID=mcd207c7faa0b6e6449f165028ad4c156 Or by phone: 1(415) 527-5035 Access code: 2760 566 4931 Meeting password: gfish23

Accessibility: Webex closed captioning available.

Abstract: TBD

Bio(s): TBD

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: More information andseminar recordings can be found at:https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/outreach-and-education/2023-alaska-fisheries-science-center-groundfish-seminar-seriesSubscribe/Unsubscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email:
Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' or 'unsubscribe' in the subject or body of the email. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your comments and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5): Alaska Chapter Overview


Presenter(s): Henry Huntington, NCA5 Alaska chapter lead, and several co-authors

Sponsor(s): NOAA/OAR/Climate Program Office, and the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP)

Seminar Contacts: Alison Hayden (abhayden@alaska.edu) & Genie Bey (genie.bey@noaa.gov)

Remote Access: https://uaf-accap.org/event/nca5-alaska/

Abstract: The Alaska chapter of the Fifth National Climate Assessment examines how climate change affects various aspects of our society. From health and livelihoods through our built environment and our security, the changing climate has far-reaching effects. The chapter also examines the many ways that Alaska communities and others are adapting to a changing environment.

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: Slides, links shared during the presentation, and a recording may be found after the meeting at the URL listed above.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series
Title: Causal analysis: Dynamic and phylogenetic structural equation models

Presenter(s): Jim Thorson, NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center

Sponsor(s): NOAA NMFS SWFSC Fisheries Ecology DivisionSeminar contact: tanya.rogers@noaa.gov.

Remote Access: https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/noaanmfs-meets/j.php?MTID=m5de8b1fe08b663314db3a6a3b2f367fd; Password (if needed): fedsem1nar! ; Join by phone: 415-527-5035 (US only, not a toll-free number), Access code/meeting number: 2762 421 0654

Abstract: Description, prediction, and explanation all depend upon causal understanding. In this talk, I demonstrate a simplified (linear) toolbox for causal analysis that builds upon structural equation models. To demonstrate, I first introduce phylogenetic structural equation models (PSEM). I show that these can be fitted to data from 30+ traits for all described fishes to classify fishes into Periodic, Equilibrium, or Opportunistic strategies. I also introduce a simplified R-package phylosem that can be used for customized application of PSEM. Finally, I use PSEM to predict natural mortality rate for rockfishes (Sebastes spp), and show that PSEM substantively improves predictions relative to conventional linear models when predicting natural mortality from size and growth parameters. Next, I introduce dynamic structural equation model (DSEM). This includes both simultaneous and lagged effects, and therefore unifies a wide range of time-series methods. I specifically highlight how DSEM can be used to synthesize physical and lower-trophic variables to explain recruitment for Alaska pollock. I also introduce how DSEM can be used to integrate ecosystem indicators for Integrated Ecosystem Assessments (IEAs), using the Bering Sea ecosystem as an example. I hope to convince you that structural equation models are useful to integrate causal understanding into statistical models.

Bio(s): Jim Thorson is a statistical ecologist at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. His pandemic hobby was reading global history books. He will soon be fostering two cats, and hopes to study their interactions with existing (resident) children.

Recordings: The talk will be recorded; link to recording available upon request.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail:
Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your comments and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Restoration of Deep Gulf of Mexico Coral Communities
NOAA Gulf of Mexico Forum Webinar Series


Presenter(s): Sasha Francis, Gulf Restoration Education & Outreach Manager, Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Mesophotic & Deep Benthic Communities Restoration, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

Sponsor(s): NOAA's Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Team, a part of NOAA's Regional Collaboration Network

Seminar Contact(s): Kristen Laursen, Kristen.R.Laursen@noaa.gov , NOAA Fisheries and Regional Collaboration NetworkLocation: Webinar


Remote Access: Please Register at:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5311921428427346517
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. For your awareness, this webinar will be recorded and shared.


Abstract: For December, the Gulf of Mexico Forum webinar series will focus on mesophotic and deep benthic (mid-depths and deep-sea) communities in the Gulf of Mexico. In particular, our speaker, Sasha Francis, will focus on the ongoing efforts to restore these hard-to-reach habitats that were injured by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This presentation will feature imagery and stories about fascinating deep-sea coral propagation techniques, exploration and sample collections a mile below the surface, connecting scientists at sea with the community, and more.


Bio(s): Sasha Francis is the Gulf Restoration Education and Outreach Manager with National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, working with NOAA and other partners on the restoration of Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. She leads strategic efforts to share the restoration activities being conducted by four collaborative project teams, and increase awareness of the existence and importance of these communities, threats they face, and actions that can be taken to protect them. Sasha's previous roles include being a marine mammal behaviorist, zookeeper, and Texas watershed environmental educator.

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: Please contact Kristen.R.Laursen@noaa.gov for the recording and/or PDF.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Artificial Intelligence in Weather Modeling

Presenter(s): Dr. Anima Anandkumar, Artificial Intelligence in Weather Modeling, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, Caltech

Sponsor(s): The Office of System Architecture and Advanced Planning (OSAAP), and the NESDIS User Engagement Council.

Seminar Contact(s): Vanessa Escobar, (Vanessa.Escobar@noaa.gov)Location: WebinarRegistration link: (Registration required) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JcZmbp0AZc0W_6fUnBeozS68W4NsSVDNuwAWluXGWww/edit

Abstract: Dr. Anandkumar leads development of AI-based weather modeling that allows forecasting with higher resolution and faster predictions for extreme weather events. On September 10, several new AI-based models followed"and accurately predicted"Hurricane Lee's path through the Atlantic Ocean. These programs leverage activities and outputs from NOAA's new Center for Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) established in 2021 to improve NOAA capabilities. During this month's Speaker Series talk, Dr. Anandkumar will discuss her work with NVIDIA on storm prediction modeling using machine learning, which is faster, more scalable, and more affordable than traditionally used modeling systems. To learn more about how Dr. Anandkumar and Caltech are working towards the Pathfinder Initiative, please contact noaa.pathfinderinitiative@noaa.gov.

Bio(s): Dr. Anima Anandkumar (California Institute of Technology) has been a Bren Professor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences at CalTech since 2017 and is the senior director of machine learning research at NVIDIA. Her research in artificial intelligence (AI) brings pivotal solutions to climate, drone flight, engineering, and medicine advancement. She has been honored for her groundbreaking work with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellowship, Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Award, and faculty fellowships from Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and Adobe. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum's Expert Network.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series
Title: Inadvertent introduction of bias into the stock assessment and review process (National Stock Assessment Science Seminar Series)

Presenter(s): Will Satterthwaite, Research Ecologist, NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center - Fisheries Ecology Division

Sponsor(s): NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and NOAA's Central Library (NCL)Seminar Contacts: Abby Furnish (abigail.furnish@noaa.gov) and Library Seminars

Remote Access: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3945052553876565847

Accessibility: Captions are added to the recordings of presentations once uploaded to the NOAA Central Library YouTube Channel. Sign language interpreting services and Federal Relay Conference Captioning (RCC) service are available, but need to be requested at least 5 days before the event.


Abstract: Science is struggling with a "reproducibility crisis" brought on by factors including p-hacking or selective reporting that may increase the rate of false positives or generate misleading effect size estimates from meta-analyses. This results when multiple modeling approaches or statistical tests may be brought to bear on the same problem, and there are pressures or rewards for finding significant results. I will provide examples of risks for similar processes operating in fisheries science, and describe simulations addressing the level of bias this may introduce into management advice.Keywords: p-hacking, reproducibility, bias


Bio(s): Will Satterthwaite is a research ecologist based in Santa Cruz. In his day job, he works on the ecology and life history of salmon and their interactions with the ecosystem. Since 2012, he has been a member of the Pacific Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee, developing familiarity with assessing groundfish and coastal pelagic species. Although this talk is partially informed by experiences on the SSC, he in no way speaks for the SSC or NMFS during this talk.

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your comments and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Demonstration and evaluation of global VIIRS tandem winds from S-NPP and NOAA-20

Presenter(s): Dave Santek, CIMSS/SSEC, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI

Sponsor(s): NOAA JPSS Program

Seminar Contact(s): Bill Sjoberg bill.sjoberg@noaa.gov

Location: Webinar

Remote Access
Meeting ID
meet.google.com/cdi-gtqb-ahs
Phone Numbers (US)
+1 240-774-0054
PIN: 318 601 240#

Abstract: TBD

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: Available upon Request


Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Exploring Livestock Grazing for Coastal Habitat Management Webinar

Presenter(s): Robert Smith, Coastal Coordinator for Wildlife Mississippi; Brandon Waltman, NCRS Assistant State Soil Scientist; Dr. Rocky Lemus, forage research professor, Mississippi State University Extension; and Jim Currie, private landowner

Sponsor(s): National Sea Grant Office

Seminar Contact(s): kelly.samek@noaa.govLocation: Webinar

Remote Access: https://msstateextension.zoom.us/my/ericsparksmsu

Abstract: Searching for a cost-effective, less intrusive habitat management solution? Discover how to transform livestock grazing from a ubiquitous agricultural practice into a powerful tool for vegetation management and landscape enhancement. In this webinar, you'll hear short presentations from Robert Smith, Coastal Coordinator for Wildlife Mississippi, Brandon Waltman, NCRS Assistant State Soil Scientist, Dr. Rocky Lemus, forage research professor, Mississippi State University Extension, and Jim Currie, private landowner followed by a Q&A session. Topics to be covered include what is conservation grazing, the power of herbivory, herbivory and soil health, wildland forage and its management, and a case study. For more information: https://exploringlivestockgrazingwebinar.eventbrite.com

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.govwith the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Fundamental and Ecological Thermal Physiology of California Chinook Salmon

Presenter(s): Ken Zillig, University of California, Davis

Sponsor(s): NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center Groundfish Seminar SeriesSeminar Contacts: Bianca.Prohaska@noaa.gov and Sarah.Friedman@noaa.gov (NOAA NMFS AFSC RACE GAP)Location: Webinar


Remote Access: Join by computer at: https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/noaanmfs-meets/j.php?MTID=mcd207c7faa0b6e6449f165028ad4c156 Or by phone: 1(415) 527-5035 Access code: 2760 566 4931 Meeting password: gfish23

Accessibility: Webex closed captioning available.

Abstract: TBD

Bio(s): TBD

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: More information and seminar recordings can be found at:https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/outreach-and-education/2023-alaska-fisheries-science-center-groundfish-seminar-seriesSubscribe/Unsubscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email:
Send an e-mail to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' or 'unsubscribe' in the subject or body of the email. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your comments and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Overview of the Draft Aquatic National eDNA Strategy

Part of the NOAA Omics Seminar Series

Presenter(s): Dr. Kelly Goodwin, NOAA 'Omics Portfolio Lead & NOAA 'Omics Working Group Chair, NOAA Ocean Exploration

Sponsor(s): NOAA Omics

Seminar Contact(s): Nicole Miller, NOAA 'Omics Portfolio Specialist, noaa.omics@noaa.gov

Remote Access: Register Here

Abstract: The co-chairs of the eDNA Task Team under the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST) Interagency Working Group on Biodiversity will provide a preview of the National Aquatic eDNA Strategy, which is slated to roll out in spring 2024.

Bio(s): Dr. Kelly Goodwin is a marine microbiologist who has led development, validation, application, and technology transfer of molecular biological tools to address NOAA missions, including improved assessment of ecosystem status. Within the NOAA Ocean Exploration Science and Technology Division, she is the portfolio lead for NOAA 'Omics and serves as the chair of the NOAA 'Omics Working Group. In these roles, Dr. Goodwin is responsible for providing agency-wide direction with regard to harmonizing integration of bioscience and biotechnology into NOAA research and operations. The goal is to accelerate mission outcomes across a range of national priorities, including employing biomolecular mapping of biodiversity to explore the ocean and to understand and mitigate impacts arising from ecosystem threats such as climate, pollution, disease, and invasive species.

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials: A recording of this presentation will be made available on the NOAA Omics website. View past omics seminar recordings here: https://sciencecouncil.noaa.gov/NOAA-Science-Technology-Focus-Areas/NOAA-Omics

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Ecological and environmental predictors of juvenile coral density across the central and western Pacific

Presenter(s): Courtney Couch, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research/National Marine Fisheries Service

Sponsor(s): NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

Seminar Contact(s): caroline.donovan@noaa.govLocation: Webinar

Remote Access:
Adobe Connect
1. To join the meeting: http://noaacsc.adobeconnect.com/coralscollab/ 2. Click the microphone at the top of the screen to connect audio.

Abstract: The persistence of Pacific coral reefs is threatened by large-scale mortality. While reefs have demonstrated the ability to recover from these disturbances, recovery potential is highly variable; in part driven by the high spatial variability in the abundance of coral juveniles. However, our understanding of the patterns and predictors of juvenile coral density is hampered by the limited geographic scope of previous studies. Our objectives in this study were to: (1) explore the spatial and temporal patterns of juvenile colony density across the U.S. affiliated Pacific islands and atolls; and (2) identify the potential role of ecological and environmental factors which may influence coral juvenile abundance. Juvenile density was quantified as part of NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program between 2013 and 2019 using a stratified sampling design across 1,405 forereef sites on 34 islands and atolls. Regional mean juvenile density varied from 1.4 to 10.5 colonies m-2 with the highest densities observed in the northern Mariana Islands, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and southern Mariana Islands. Juvenile density significantly increased between sampling periods in the Main Hawaiian Islands, Line Islands and northern Mariana Islands. With the unique scale and gradients across the U.S. Pacific, our study found that the high latitude regions have enhanced juvenile density compared to their lower latitude counterparts. Survey-weighted generalized linear modeling suggests density is dependent on stock-recruitment with an open adult population, availability of suitable habitat at the site-scale, timing and severity of heat stress, wave energy during heat stress, and proximity to human population. Given the vast spatial scale of this dataset, this study allows us to identify hot spots of recovery potential and study recovery dynamics across a large environmental gradient. It also has applications for reef managers and restoration practitioners to more effectively promote conditions that favor persistence of corals and make informed decisions about restoration site selection.

Bio(s): Courtney is a Supervisory Coral Reef Researcher for the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research in Honolulu, HI. She joined NOAA/CIMAR in 2017 after completing a PhD at Cornell University in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a postdoc at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Courtney studies benthic communities across the U.S. Pacific to identify factors underpinning coral reef resilience and has co-lead a research program that utilizes Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry to assess coral reefs. She is currently co-leading a research program to guide practitioners more effectively implement coral restoration in the Pacific. NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly email: Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information. We welcome your comments and ideas!

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Skillful Multiyear Prediction of Ocean Metabolic State in the North American Large Marine Ecosystems

Presenter(s): Zhuomin Chen, University of Connecticut

Sponsor(s): U.S. Northeast Climate-Fisheries Seminar Series; coordinator is
Vincent.Saba@noaa.gov Location: Webinar

Remote Access: https://meet.google.com/paw-jhrb-nzr

Abstract: TBD

Bio(s): TBD

Subscribe to the NOAA Science Seminar Series weekly e-mail: Send an email to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body. Visit the One NOAA Science Seminar Series website for more information.