Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 12.02
Grantee:
Center for Conservation Biology - College of William and Mary
Project Title:
Shorebird/Clam Aquaculture Conflict Assessment and Portfolio of Landscape Data for Virginia Barrier Islands
Project Description as Proposed:
The barrier island/lagoon
system along the seaward margin of the Delmarva Peninsula is one
of the most significant bird conservation areas along the Atlantic
Coast. The area contains 1) the most pristine chain of barrier islands
remaining along the coast that support breeding populations of waterbirds
that are regionally significant, and 2) an extensive network of
intertidal mudflats that support concentrations of migrant shorebirds
that are significant on a hemispheric scale.
Several of the avian species of highest conservation concern within
the mid-Atlantic region occupy a range of disturbance/successional
niches along the barrier islands that are defined by the relationship
between beach erosion and beach recovery. Understanding the habitat
requirements of these species, as well as, the spatio-temporal patterning
of habitat availability is paramount to developing conservation
strategies.
Recent investigations within the seaside lagoon system have indicated
that the majority of migrant shorebirds focus their foraging activities
on inter-tidal mudflats. A relatively new clam aquaculture industry
is experiencing exponential growth and relies on similar substrate.
This industry has developed with little regulatory oversight and
is utilizing a growing portion of productive bottom. A conflict
assessment is needed to evaluate the potential conflict between
these user groups. One goal of this assessment is to develop regulatory
policies and a broader view of eco-economic tradeoffs within this
system.
Federal Funding:
$65,000.00
Project Contact:
Bryan E. Watts, 757.221-2247; bdwatt@wm.edu
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Goal-oriented management for species in disturbance-prone landscapes requires the reckoning of how patch structure and availability changes through time. Many sets of aerial photographs and products from other remote sensing devices exist that cover the Virginia Barrier Islands. These resources are the raw materials required to analyze landscape change along the island chain. The objective of this project is to compile a "portfolio" of these resources that will help provide an understanding of the habitat requirements of these species, as well as, the spatio-temporal patterning of habitat availability. A portfolio that describes 1,081 sets of aerial photographs, satellite imagery, geographic information systems databases, and other sources that can be used to identify landscape change on the Barrier Islands was created in a Microsoft Excel database. Information attributes of individual entries include descriptions on the type, spatial coverage, storage location, contact information, format, and scope and content of the resource. Several significant collections of aerial photographs are specifically identified in this report. The collection, storage, and ortho-rectification of these resources is ongoing with a parallel process of the analysis of shoreline change.The Virginia Coast Reserve and associated habitats along the seaside of the Delmarva Peninsula support significant numbers of migrant shorebird and have been designated as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve with international status (i.e. host to >100,000 shorebirds). Commercial aquaculture of hard clams (Mercenaria mercinaria) in Virginia began in the 1970's, but was not widespread until the mid 1990's. At the present time we do not know exactly how many aquaculture sites are located along the Delmarva Peninsula or what percentage of available shorebird foraging habitat they impact. The primary objective of this project was to determine the degree of conflict between clam aquaculture and migrant shorebirds by utililzing GIS layers of shorebird concentration areas and bottom leases withing the barrier island lagoon system. The resulting report "Clam Aquaculture / Migrant Shorebird Conflict Assessment Along the Lower Delmarva Seaside" describe how at the present time conflict does not seem to be an issue. Of 1,229 ha of surveyed shorebird concentration areas only 1.2 ha, or 0.1%, were impacted by clam aquaculture sites. This is most likely due the different characteristics that make sites attractive to shorebirds and clam aquaculturists (shorebirds like shallow and muddy sites while clam aquaculturist prefer slightly deeper sandy sites). While conflict is not an issue at the present time, if the clam aquaculture industry continues to grow unchecked, and growers are forced into the less desirable, a conflict may arise.
Form C end
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
