Abstract

To provide resource managers with an accurate, cost-effective, and comprehensive method of assessing ecological change in the Gulf coast that can benefit community sustainability through more informed marsh restoration decision-making. We intend to meet this overall object by:

1. developing new information tools that enable resource managers to improve planning for coastal hazards and climate associated risks,
2. developing tools and information that is related to the human dimensions of resiliency, 
3. creating detailed land-cover change maps, and
4. improving hazard awareness by engaging citizens via community outreach, education, and active involvement in the restoration process.

Objectives

To provide resource managers with an accurate, cost-effective, and comprehensive method of assessing ecological change in the Gulf coast that can benefit community sustainability through more informed marsh restoration decision-making. We intend to meet this overall object by

1. developing new information tools that enable resource managers to improve planning for coastal hazards and climate associated risks
2. developing tools and information that is related to the human dimensions of resiliency
3. create detailed land-cover change maps
4. improve hazard awareness by engaging citizens via community outreach, education, and active involvement in the restoration process.

Methodology

We propose to provide the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana, Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration (CPRA) with information tools in the form of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that incorporate historical and projected marsh loss at a higher spatial resolution than currently is utilized. In addition, we intend to integrate these data with the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of an indigenous LA coastal population to assess the impacts of current and historical ecosystem change to community viability.

These maps will be derived using vegetation indices or band ratios, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), that will be generated and tested for each image dataset and assessed for correlation with ground information.

• from the TEK of collaborating residents
• data from CPRA scientists and resource managers
• data from NASA field chlorophyll measurement instruments

The TEK information will be integrated into the information tools as a ‘weighted’ layer that identifies areas of a particular community’s ecosystem-dependent livelihood base that are critical to its resiliency.

This comprehensive dataset will then be included in the assessment of a Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) project’s ‘potential wetland benefits’ and the associated Wetland Value Assessment conducted during the CWPPRA decision-making process.

Rationale

The methodology and fundamental knowledge developed through this study could prove to significantly enhance restoration related planning and decision making throughout the Gulf Coast with valuable information that can only be attained through active community involvement in such efforts. Additionally, the active involvement of local communities in decision-making and practice is a means of securing the legitimacy of broad popular support for coastal restoration efforts. Through the development and use of such a protocol, coastal protection and restoration projects stand a far greater chance of being adopted by the populations they are designed to affect, and thus a greater chance of being successful. This proposed research directly relates to the MASGC Strategic Plan by; (A) developing new information tools that aid in the restoration of coastal habitats, (B) developing tools and information that promote coastal community resiliency, and (C) determine a method to engage affected coastal communities via active involvement in the restoration process that enhances the sustainable use and conservation of coastal resources.