CO4: Observation and Information for Coastal Management
Mission: To develop and improve efficient methods and investigate the basis for advanced strategies for monitoring and assessment, with the goal of establishing a rational basis for management and interventions in coastal environmental processes. Objectives Scientifically based information on the state of and trends in the coastal environment and on natural and anthropogenic causes is the backbone of integrated coastal management. When appropriately analyzed, this information yields knowledge on options for managing utilization of the coast in a sustainable and safe manner. The major challenge for improving monitoring for such a complex environment, and, thus, the main strategic objective of WP CO4, is to utilize the synergy of very different but complementary data. This includes time series from fixed stations and from transects, remote sensing data, detailed analysis from research vessels and laboratory work and model simulations. All of these data have their particular potential and shortcomings and cover different parts of the relevant variables and spatial and temporal scales. Thus, the central task is to develop an operational system (SYMONIS, Synergistic Monitoring and Information System), which enables us to combine various coastal data in a coherent manner, and retrieve the information required for coastal management, but also for other research projects. Scientific issues to be addressed within this context are: (1) advanced observational methods, (2) determination of the temporal and spatial scales for representative sampling; (3) identification of key variables and indicators for observing and assessing trends in water quality, habitats or the composition of communities of organisms; and (4) analyses and quantification of the relationships between variables of interest and their proxies, which can be observed by using automatic systems or remote sensing. Another class of issues is related to the scope and confidence range of data and models with respect to various management questions. The quality of inter- and extrapolations of observations in space and time by using geo-statistical methods and numerical models must be investigated and assessed. Finally, procedures must be established for assessment, aggregation, representation, visualization, and communication of information in an understandable way for different levels of management, policy makers, and the public. The user-oriented design of SYMONIS is of uppermost importance for its later use in real decision processes. Hence, existing co-operations with authorities and stakeholders will be intensified already in the planning phase.
Implementation
The infrastructure and complementary expertise at AWI and GKSS are highly favourable for realizing the goals of this Work Package. The field laboratories on Sylt, Helgoland and at the
FTZ Büsum provide allow us direct access to different coastal environments. Research vessels of different sizes, and which are partly adapted to shallow water, are equipped with sophisticated instruments such as multi-beam echo sounders and precision navigation and control units, thereby allowing us to test and qualitatively assess new observation methods. Automatic measurement systems are already available in the form of Ferry-boxes and on buoys and fixed masts. Finally, we have extensive experience in ground-based, airborne and satellite remote-sensing using optical and microwave instruments and in the development and use of operational numerical models. Various data analysis techniques including geostatistics, time-series analysis, inverse modelling, down- and up-scaling, and data assimilation are available in different groups and will be further developed in particular in WP CO1. For the development of operational schemes for assimilating hydrodynamic data into models a partnership with the BSH and the ICBM Oldenburg is established.
CO4 BOX
Monitoring the suspended matter distribution in the Southern North Sea - demonstrating the use and synergy of different observational methods and modeling
One characteristic of the shallow southern North Sea is the high concentration of suspended matter (SPM), which includes mineralic particles, debris of organisms and phytoplankton cells. These particles are a major component in the transport of matter, they carry various organic and inorganic trace substances, they are sources of nutrients and substrate for various biochemical reactions, they function as a major link between benthic and pelagic processes and they attenuate the light used for photosynthesis and thus have an influence on the primary production, the oxygen budget and the remineralisation in the water column. Transport and distribution of SPM depends significantly on hydro-meteorological conditions, mainly on wind and waves, and, thus, are highly variable in space and time.
To improve monitoring of SPM including phytoplankton we use the synergy of four different methods. (1) Data of the Imaging Spectrometer MERIS (ENVISAT) show the complex horizontal distribution of SPM and phytoplankton. During critical storm events, optical satellite data are often not available due to cloud coverage. Thus, we combine (2) a SPM transport model, which is based on a 3D hydrodynamical model, with remote sensing data and (3) measurements with the Ferry-Box along the transect Cuxhaven – Harwich. Time series at fixed stations (4) are used to study short term effects, such as the tidal cycle, and the long term development, which is influenced e.g. by the wind climate, currents and the particle production by phytoplankton. The vertical mixing parameter of the SPM model is tuned with satellite data by producing surface layer concentrations such as observed from space. Inversely the model can also be used to determine the vertical distribution of SPM from satellite data. By combining all four methods a system is available which allows the production of reliable time series of SPM fields in the Southern North Sea. The model has been implemented already at the Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH). A future version will include also the particle dynamics caused by phytoplankton including their exopolymers.
Based on these competences, we have structured the Work Package and the developmentof SYMONIS into four layers: (1) observational systems and operational models; (2) analysesof observations and integration into a coastal GIS; (3) information retrieval and assessmentand (4) interface to the user and dissemination of information.Our activities comprise:(1.0) Extensive user-analysis resulting in a list of demands set by coastal management orstakeholder groups, in contracts or the establishment of co-operations with partners fromrelevant authorities;(1.1) development of automatic instruments and remote sensing (Ferry-boxes, moorings,ground based radar, airborne and satellite sensors) and the integration of these methods intoobservational systems;(1.2) operational models to reconstruct missing data and to guide coastal processes (e.g.ship traffic, offshore work, nutrient input, coastal protection);(1.3) design of efficient sampling schemes and models with respect to temporal and spatialscales;(2.1) integration of data into a coastal Geographic Information System (GIS) including qualityassurance;(2.2) the identification and multifactorial use of proxy relationships between variables,indicators and diagnostic sites to optimise the observational effort;(3.1) assimilation of data into models for purposes such as ship safety, wind energygeneration, sea bottom morphodynamics, and the monitoring of suspended matter transportand primary production,(3.2) conceptual and diagnostic models for assessing the quality and/or vulnerability ofcoastal habitats and tools for the evaluation of scenarios;(4.1) integration of selected SYMONIS modules to specific Decision Support Systems (DSS)in line with the needs elaborated in (1.0)(4.2) development of methods to communicate information from the scientific expert level tolevels of management, political bodies, public awareness, and education.Methods to be integrated into the Synergistic Monitoring and Information System(SYMONIS),numbers s. textThe main emphasis will be placed on: (1) issues related to water quality, (2) maintenance ofmarine and coastal biodiversity and habitats, and (3) effects of wind, waves, and currents oncoastal habitats, safety related issues such as ship traffic and offshore activities, coastalprotection, conditions for and effects of plant and mussel mariculture. Methods and data willalso be provided to international networks, e.g. Aerosol Robotic Network and diagnostic siteHelgoland for atmospheric correction and validation of satellite data; Ferry-Box network,GOOS, and GMES.The methods will be developed and evaluated in the form of case studies and demonstrationprojects in a close relationship with the end users. We will test and validate newobservational methods at diagnostic sites where novel techniques such as remote sensing,optical and radar sensors, automatic systems, will run in parallel with established standardmethods until we have evaluated their performance and have solved possible transitionproblems for time series. Sites with time series for supporting the transition of methods arealready available at Helgoland, Sylt, and Büsum, and from three tidal flats, the latter havealready been used for the EU project HIMOM.We incorporate data and methodologies from laboratory and shipboard chemical analyses ofanthropogenic and natural substances (in collaboration with WP CO3). For example, datafrom “in water” bio-optical sensors will be integrated with surface remote sensing of algalblooms (including harmful species) and remote optical signatures from suspended material(seston) and coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM) will be ground-truthed by chemicaland spectral analysis of organic components (including toxins) from the water column. The42"tool box" of methods will be structured in a hierarchical manner to provide information atdifferent levels of detail for various tasks. Examples include near real-time information fromobservations and models in cases of oil spills, in order to predict the distribution and transportof oil as a function of wind and currents, and also management of oil pollution responsesystems, as part of the official contingency plans. The latter require a risk analysis and mapsof the biodiversity and sensitive habitats in the Wadden Sea and North Sea.For improving the monitoring potential of remote sensing data and data from automaticmeasurement systems, we need to identify - in close cooperation with WP CO2 and CO3 -proxy and indicator variables for which the relationship to those variables of interest have tobe determined, but which cannot be observed directly by using automatic and remotesensing techniques.Methods that enable us to produce weekly or seasonal maps, as elements of a Coastal GIS,will inform us about the distribution of phytoplankton, chlorophyll, and suspended matter, aswater quality indicators in relation to currents, temperature, wind, and waves. These mapswill not only focus on the area to be monitored by the respective authority but will alsoinclude the far-field that might have a significant influence on that area, and might provideearly warnings, e.g. of harmful algal blooms. The spatial and temporal fields will beconstructed by data-based modelling approaches like Neural Networks or process-orientedframes including the ecosystem model. For operational issues, we will test innovative hybridcombinations of data-based and mechanistic modelling.From Work Package CO1 (Coastal Change), we will use information about long-term trends,impact of climate change and scenarios of possible future developments on decadal timescales. These climatological time series are necessary to assess the degree to which recentobservations are in agreement with long term trends. Together with CO1, we must alsodetermine the methodological requirements for establishing climatological data records ofsufficient quality to retrieve trends for different time scales.With regard to questions related to ecological monitoring, we will establish close cooperationwith WP CO2 (Coastal Diversity). From this WP we require basic information on physical,chemical and biological interactions as well as models or model parameters for their use asan operational monitoring tool. Furthermore, we need information on the functioning ofindicator species and indicator habitats in the coastal system to assess their role inmonitoring programs; this includes higher tropic levels and populations up to marinemammals and sea birds. For this task, the combined use of observations, experiments andthe analysis using an ecosystem model in WP CO2 is of high importance.The methods developed for the North Sea will also be adapted and disseminated to otherareas within the framework of international programs including GOOS, GMES and LOICZ.Some components of the methods have already been implemented in Indonesia, Korea,Panama and Canada.DeliverablesToolbox with instrument and model prototypes, protocols for monitoring using automatic insitu and remote sensing methods in combination with numerical models, procedures for themanagement of information and the visualisation of results for different types of users.Strategy for an implementation of a hierarchically organized modular system in form of anoperational DSS, which uses the synergy of various methods (SYMONIS), adapted todifferent applications and issues, such as oil pollution or water quality monitoring andassessment.Reports of and recommendations from case studies and demonstration projects including theanalysis of diagnostic sites.Contributions to data banks and information centres and to reports of national andinternational bodies and programs, e.g. BSH-DOD, LANU, Common Wadden Sea Secretary,GOOS, SCOR, ICES, OSPAR, IMO, LOICZ, BALTEX, GEOHAB, Water FrameworkDirective and Fauna-Flora-Habitat directive of the EU.