Pacific Northwest Coastal Ecosystem Regional Study
(PNCERS)

 

ISSUE

The precipitous and large scale decline of some coastal Pacific Northwest fishery stocks suggests a systemic, regional-scale problem rather than a series of local and isolated factors. Various natural and anthropogenic factors that are likely contributors to such a decline include: over harvesting; habitat degradation; changes in human population and land/water use; and changes in regional climatic and oceanographic conditions. Understanding the effects of these stressors on the distribution, abundance, and production of living marine resources is critical to sound management.

 

APPROACH

The goal of the Pacific Northwest Coastal Ecosystem Region Study (PNCERS) is to improve the management of economically important coastal resources (e.g., salmon, rockfish, Dungeness crab, oysters, etc.) by providing a better understanding of the major ecological and demographic processes driving ecosystem change in the Northwest. The research team is concentrating its efforts on studying the broad-scale role of physical forcing in the near-shore ocean, and the local interplay between human activities and environmental change in estuaries (Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay, WA and Coos Bay and Tillamook Bay, OR). To examine the biological health of the ecosystem, key indicator species are studied as proxies of the ecosystem's condition (e.g., seabirds and eelgrass). To examine the economic impact of the environment, property values and changes in regional industry are used to track economic trends, along with indicator species relating to both the ecology and economy for the region (e.g., salmon, oysters, crab, recreation, and tourism). In addition to gathering data on the natural systems, investigators are also looking into the effects of resource usage, depletion, and ecosystem change on coastal communities.

PNCERS is working to create a conceptual model of how natural forces and human-induced change interact to impact coastal resources. PNCERS recognizes the central role of effective environmental management and public policy in conserving coastal resources and sustaining local economies. Understanding the dynamics of ecosystem and resource variability, and the values that the public holds, is critical to sound public policy. By developing more effective tools, models, and information for resource managers, PNCERS hopes to enable both public and private sectors to manage for biological integrity and sustainable use of Pacific Northwest resources.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

PNCERS is a collaboration among NOAA, the Oregon Coastal Management Program, and the Washington and Oregon Sea Grant Programs. This project benefits from associations with other research and monitoring efforts in the region, such as the EPA study of the Yaquina Bay/Elk River watershed, the West Coast Global Environmental Change Program, and the Coastal Ocean Processes Study. The first PNCERS information product, a report titled "Change in Pacific Northwest Coastal Ecosystems" summarizes the state of knowledge on this issue. In parallel with ongoing research efforts, a series of regional managers workshops have been held to understand how scientific information is incorporated into resource management decisions, and what formats work best. Reports from those workshops are available.

Please visit the PNCERS Website:

For more information, contact:

Susan Banahan
CSCOR/Coastal Ocean Program
phone: 301-713-3338
e-mail: coastalocean@noaa.gov

Last Updated: October 31, 2002