Dear Ecolog Community,
Mike Allen, Amanda Rockler and I are organizing a special session for the Coastal Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) 2013 Meeting in San Diego entitled “Translational Science: The Complexities of Watershed and Estuarine Restoration Efforts.” This session will be part of a larger symposium at CERF called “Managing Nutrients in a Changing World”. We seek to assemble a group of scientists, lawmakers, watershed managers, and other experts to holistically examine restoration issues. Specifically, we are looking for talks that examine the science underlying nutrient reduction actions, the challenges underlying restoration efforts, the importance of scientist-citizen partnerships, the effects of restoration actions on the surrounding ecosystem, and related topics. Our session will accept a broader assortment of restoration topics beyond nutrient management.** * * We invite you to submit an abstract for CERF 2013 for consideration in this session (www.erf.org/cerf2013). The call for abstracts is available here ( www.erf.org/system/files/CERF2013_Call_For_Abstracts.pdf) and will be open from March 15 – June 1, 2013. For your information, we provide the long form version of our session abstract below to provide you a better idea of the scope of this session.** * * Please let us know if you are interested.** * * Sincerely yours,** ** * * *Tammy * * * * * * * * * * * *Tamara A. Newcomer* *PhD Candidate* *Kaushal Biogeochemistry Lab* *University of Maryland, College Park* *newco...@umd.edu* <newco...@umd.edu> *(410)227-6982* <file://localhost/tel/%2528410%2529227-6982>** * * * * * * *Mike Allen, PhD* *Assistant Director of Research* *Maryland Sea Grant* * * *Amanda Rockler* *Agent & Regional Watershed Restoration Specialist* *Sea Grant Extension Programs* * * * * * * * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * * * *Translational Science: The Complexities of Watershed and Estuarine Restoration Efforts*** Nutrient and sediment runoff from urban and agricultural land use are recognized contributors to water quality and habitat degradation in coastal ecosystems. Scientists, regulators and managers have studied and implemented watershed restoration and nutrient reduction measures for decades in efforts to manage these pollution sources and minimize their negative effects on coastal ecosystems. Despite these efforts, estuaries and their watersheds continue to experience seasonally extensive regions of hypoxia, frequent harmful algae blooms and increasing turbidity. The lack of success in restoring estuaries is driving a renewed sense of urgency for the need to reduce nutrient over enrichment and sediment inputs. Research is now focusing more specifically on sustainability of our coasts, the responses of ecosystems to changing environmental conditions, and the effectiveness of innovative tools and technologies that are being developed to reduce excessive inputs of nutrients and sediments into coastal waters. Additionally, translating this restoration science into concrete action in communities requires understanding the social aspects of behavior change and developing effective communication and outreach strategies that will empower local governments, the citizenry and industries to implement and maintain practices. In this session, we seek submissions on the science of coastal watershed restoration and management practices. In particular, we seek contributions that examine the science underlying nutrient reduction actions, the challenges underlying restoration efforts, the importance of scientist-citizen partnerships, and the effects of restoration actions on the surrounding ecosystem. Presenters in this session are encouraged to think broadly about the implications of technological advances on estuarine function and response and how we communicate those findings to homeowners, farmers, developers and other audiences that are commonly asked to adopt different technologies and practices to minimize pollution inputs.** * * Other sessions in the Nutrients Symposium:** * * • Bridging the Gap between Eutrophication Assessment Frameworks and Nutrient Water Quality Criteria • Comparative understanding of estuarine eutrophication tipping points and restoration trajectories • Socio-Economics of Nutrient Management • Alternative nutrient management strategies: creative solutions to a complex problem • Nutrient fluxes and nutrient accounting in coastal catchments and water bodies: methods and applications • Efficient Watershed Management: Tracking, Trading, and Exchanges in the Chesapeake and other Coastal Systems •
