Monitoring  HRSSP  Demonstra2on  Sites  

Ben  Ganon,  HRNERR              Dec.  3,  2014  

Why  monitor  HRSSP  demo  sites? u To  help  evaluate  the  success  of  these  projects  in  mee2ng  

their  objec2ves  

u To  help  iden2fy  poten2al  maintenance  issues  

u To  learn  about  site  owners’  sa2sfac2on  with  the  projects  and  the  human  uses  of  the  sites  

What  are  we  monitoring? 1.  Ecological  (vegeta2on  cover,  most  common  plant  species,  

aqua2c  plants)  

2.  Physical  (wrack,  sinuosity,  large  woody  debris,  ice  scour)  3.  Maintenance  issues  (erosion,  threats  to  infrastructure,  

human  impacts,  invasive  species)  4.  Social  (human  uses,  site  owner  sa2sfac2on  with  project)  

How  are  we  monitoring? u   Site  visits,  twice  a  year  

§   Fall:  full  assessment  (physical  and  ecological)  §   Spring:  check  for  impacts  of  ice  

u   Conversa2on  with  site  owner/manager  

u   Photo  history:  compare  photos  of  sites  over  2me  

Site  Assessment

Key  principles u Site  specific:  based  on  project  objec2ves  and  components,  site  characteris2cs  

u Repeatable:  iden2fied  specific  loca2ons  to  return  to  each  year  for  assessment  and  photos  

u Feasible:  designed  for  a  1-­‐hour  2me  commitment,  liRle  training  required  

u Consistent:  developing  database  and  photo  inventory  for  each  site,  binders  with  instruc2ons  for  data  collec2on  and  storage  

How  can  the  informa=on  be  used? u   Use  to  update  demonstra2on  site  case  studies  u   Post  updates  about  projects  on  HRSSP  website  u   Con2nue  conversa2ons  with  site  owners/managers  about  sa2sfac2on  with  project,  human  uses  of  the  site,  and  any  maintenance  needs  

Shoreline  documenta=on

Shoreline  from  the  water

Erosion

Invasive  species

Human  use/management  challenges