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Scientists and equipment must be brought through this shallow canal, draped with mangroves, to conduct research in the lake. (Moses Hole)
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Task: 3
Task Leader: Hansen, Mark Erik, mhansen@usgs.gov
600 4th Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: 727-803-8747
Fax: 727-803-2030
Title: Tampa Bay Knowledge Bank
Task Priority: 3
Programs from which Fiscal Support is solicited:
Coastal and Marine Geology programs 100
Task summary and objectives:
Tampa Bay has a long history of monitoring and investigative efforts by Federal, State, local, and private entities that have focused primarily on sources and impacts of pollution in the bay. More recent efforts including biological characterizations and monitoring, water quality monitoring, circulation modeling, and analysis of contaminated sediments have been coordinated through the Tampa Bay National Estuary Program initiated in 1991 and renamed the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP).
Many of these studies have been documented in gray literature and professional journals. Additionally, thematic maps, many of which are not currently in GIS format, have been produced in association with previous Tampa Bay investigations. Successful organization of a multidisciplinary, multi-agency science effort requires knowledge of past and current investigations, the evolution of partnerships and collaborative efforts, and the current state of knowledge.
TBEP coordinators have identified the need for development of a knowledge bank that will synthesize this information in a format that is easily accessible to managers, the public, and participating scientists.
The objective of task three is to establish a web-based information bank, similar to the South Florida Information Access web-site (SOFIA, http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf), that will:
- Provide the historical basis and context from which to identify research needs/gaps.
- Aid in organizing additional research efforts.
- Prevent duplication of science activities.
- Provide baseline information from which to assess ecosystem quality.
This knowledge bank will be updated as new information is gathered throughout the duration of the project and will directly feed the Coastal and Marine Geology Program’s National Estuaries Assessment. An annotated bibliography will also be published as an open file report. Work to be undertaken during the proposal year and a description of the methods and procedures:
Development of the Tampa Bay Information Bank will be a collaborative effort with the TBEP, FWC-FMRI and USGS-WRD.Four components of knowledge bank development have been identified:
- Synthesis of existing data sets and scientific studies.
- Reformatting data in a suitable format for incorporation into the National Estuaries Assessment and Tampa Bay Estuary web-sites.
- Construction of web-site and links to the NEA and participating entities web-sites.
- Development of GIS products for scientific and public use.
Component 1 will be accomplished in collaboration with USGS-WRD. Researchers from the WRD-Tampa office have been actively involved in Tampa Bay research for the past three decades. Their Tampa Bay experience and historical perspective will be beneficial in compiling and organizing the large amount of existing data and information from a multitude of participants. This information will be included in an annotated bibliography and published as an open file report. Information gathered during component 1 will be formatted for incorporation into web-sites and GIS products (component 2) utilizing information and science management expertise from FWC-FMRI and USGS Center for Coastal Geology.
Construction of the web-site and appropriate links (component 3) will be primarily the responsibility of web experts at USGS Center for Coastal Geology. However, this activity will be closely organized with TBEP, FWC-FMRI, the CMGP National Estuary Assessment and other participants to insure appropriate web links. All activities, results, and products of Tampa Bay Pilot Study efforts will be posted on this web-site.
It is anticipated that many of the products developed by USGS scientists and their cooperators will be geographic in nature and suitable for GIS archival and digital map production. FWC-FMRI is highly respected for their GIS capabilities and efficiency in product completion, and is eager to collaborate as partners with USGS. As a state regulatory agency, they have a vested interest in the success of the USGS Gulf of Mexico Initiative. We anticipate partnering with FMRI through a cooperative agreement primarily for GIS support and digital map production (component 4). Some of the anticipated GIS products include:
- A synoptic benthic habitat map identifying surficial sediment type and environmental classification.
- A shallow stratigraphy map.
- Point sources of groundwater input.
- Water quality and productivity maps.
- Suspected locations of contaminated sediments and water input.
- Funding is requested for staffing for components 1, 2, and 3, development of a cooperative agreement with FWC-FMRI, and publication costs
Planned outreach:
- A website accessible to the public, managers, and scientists
- GIS map products to distribute to stakeholders
Geographic area of task:United States, Gulf Coastal States
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