 |
|
|
Five Year Science Plan for the Tampa Bay Study
April 15, 2003 - Kimberly Yates
|
| Introduction: Project Structure |
|
Project Structure:
Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic conceptual model that depicts the distribution of project tasks among the four categories of critical science gaps (system components). Individual science gaps are listed in the sections following that describe each primary task. Subtask strategic objectives are designed to address individual science gaps and are defined in the following sections.
Historically, science programs of the TBEP and its partners have focused primarily on biological and surface water quality monitoring and research in Tampa Bay (appendix 1). Science Task numbers correspond to the order of priority research elements in the Tampa Bay Study defined with our partners, and reflect the Tampa Bay scientific community’s greatest need for U.S.G.S. expertise in the physical sciences.
Project tasks and subtasks were developed to complement, not duplicate, efforts of our partners. Thus, while seagrass recovery, wetland protection and restoration, and surface water quality are high priorities of the TBEP, these areas represent smaller research components of the Tampa Bay Study because much of the research in these areas is already being addressed by our partners (see appendix 1).
|
 |
Figure 2. Conceptual model for Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Integrated Science. Refer to Gulf of Mexico Integrated Science – Tampa Bay Pilot Study Whitepaper for a detailed description of the conceptual model.
|
|
|
The Tampa Bay Pilot Study will encompass process-oriented research to understand fundamental processes within each component of an estuarine system, and development of conceptual and predictive models that establish links among system components and aid adaptive management practices. This research will be performed by integrating fieldwork among the disciplines and data among tasks, and by integrating interpretation of data and product development among U.S.G.S. scientists, partners, and collaborators. Anticipated products will consist of conceptual models, peer-reviewed scientific articles and other reports, and historical and predictive models. A five-year timeline for project work (based on level funding at $4M) is presented in Table 1.
|
|
|
|
