U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

Conceptual Framework Coastal/Nearshore

EcosystemsLisa Fogarty, Paul Seelbach, Bo Bunnell,

Sheridan Haack, and Mark Rogers

Holistic, systems level approach to ecosystem management

Unify ideas and language among Great Lakes manager and scientists

Tool that assists Great Lakes programs assess the state of the ecosystem, science needs, and management strategies

Linking Science Across Habitats

Putting the Puzzle Together

Monitoring

Research

Management Needs

Restoration

Lake Ecosystem is a system of multidiscipline processes that operate within and across different

geographic areas

INTERACTION

Identifying an Issue and Key Processes

Primary ecosystem disciplines

Open lake Coastal/nearshore Watershed

Societal Key processes Key processes Key processes

Biological Key processes Key processes Key processes

Geomorphic Key processes Key processes Key processes

Hydrologic Key processes Key processes Key processes

Identify Issue or Topic Can We Swim in the Water?

Waterborne IllnessesMost waterborne illnesses are

due to microorganism Use fecal indicators to indicate

health risk

Algae/CladophoraNuisance issue, aestheticsCan harbor pathogensCan produce toxins

Hydrologic Processes

Open Lake Coastal/Nearshore WatershedHydrological (Fate and transport of fecal indicator bacteria and pathogens)

Seiche Currents that drive contaminant dispersion and deposition

Tributary flow regime driving instream dispersal.

Large-scale currents that drive contaminant dispersion and deposition

Persistence within the system due to physical and chemical properties determining contaminant half-lives

Groundwater flow paths.

Seasonal lake mixing that drives contaminant resuspension from sediments

Differential transport and persistence of different microbes

Differential transport and persistence of different microbes.

Dispersion and physical Processing

Overland flow, infliltration, and associated contaminant transport to surface and groundwater systems

Lake/groundwater interaction

Anthropogenic Hydrologic Processes

Open Lake Coastal/Nearshore WatershedAnthropogenic Modified coastal hydrology Modified hydrology (drains,

wetland removal, impervious surfaces)

Point-source runoff from industrial land use; infrequent accidental loadings

Point-source runoff from industrial land use; infrequent accidental loadings

Nonpoint runoff from local urban and agricultural landscapes

Nonpoint runoff from local urban and agricultural landscapes.

Impervious surfaces in beach catchment

Contaminated nearshore groundwater

Geomorphic ProcessOpen Lake Coastal/Nearshore Watershed

Geomorphic (Retention of contaminants)

Topography and hydraulics of lowest river valley segment, embayment, and coastline

influencing contaminant retention and exchange with open lake

Watershed substrate.

Substrate adherence and leaching from substrate

Watershed area and slope.

Coastal sediment dynamics driving erosion, transport, and deposition of contaminants within nearshore-

coastal habitats

Groundwater hydrogeology.

Sediment dynamics.Anthropogenic Substrate adherence and leaching

from substrateAltered sediment dynamics.

Channelization and artifical reservoirs that modifies

contaminant deposition versus dispersal to nearshore-coastal

and offshore zones.

Enhanced erosion

Biologic Processes Open lake Coastal/Nearshore Watershed

Biological (Source and behavior of fecal indicator bacteria and pathogens)

Natural sources, such as birds and wildlife

Natural sources, such as birds and wildlife.

Survival and naturalization of fecal indicator bacteria and pathogens

Survival, refugia, and naturalization of feccal indicator bacteria and pathogens.

Cladophora growth and decay Anthropogenic Boat and ship waste

dumpingStorm drains that deliver biological contaminants

Manure application and runoff into nearby waters.

Shoreline septic systems that deliver biological contaminants

Failing or leaking municipal sanitary waste systems, combined sewer overflows, and sanitary sewer overflows.

Human bathing as a source of pathogens or fecal indicator bacteria or bathing activities that result in release of bacteria into the system

Wastewater treatment plant effluent discharges.

Key Process

Science Knowledge

Data Collection

Spatial Significance

Temporal Significance

GAPS

GAPS

GAPS

GAPS

Summary

1. Recognition of an Issue2. Identify Key Biologic, Hydrologic,

Geomorphic, and Societal Processes associated with the Open-lake, Nearshore, Watershed

3. GAP analysis 4. Design Monitoring to fill those gaps

Future Direction Determine key

Nearshore Issues that need to be addressed.

How to frame the tables into something usable?

How to organize a group of the right people to identify key processes and GAP analysis?

A Conceptual Framework for Lake MichiganCoastal/Nearshore Ecosystems, With Application to LakeMichigan Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) Objectives

Open-File Report 2013–1138

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

Thank You