Ecology and Management of DoD Coastal and Estuarine Ecosystems

TECHNICAL SESSION 4A

Session 4A

Topic: Ecology and Management of DoD Coastal and Estuarine Ecosystems
Chair: Dr. William Boicourt, University of Maryland – Center for Environmental Science
Keynote: Dr. W. Michael Kemp, University of Maryland – Center for Environmental Science

DoD assets include a number of installations that occur along the coastline. Some of these locations also are associated with estuarine ecosystems. The importance of these installations extends beyond their proximity and access to blue water. The physical features that define these areas—barrier islands, marshes, and shore-upland interfaces—are important backdrops for military training and testing. These ecosystems also contain significant biodiversity, are otherwise threatened by development outside the installation boundary, and are susceptible to additional adverse impacts from climate change. This session addressed the current importance and vulnerability of these ecosystems, ongoing research that is investigating ecosystem-based approaches to understanding and managing these ecosystems within a military context, and future information needs associated with these ecosystems, especially under the threat of climate change.

Session 4A – Ecology and Management of DoD Coastal and Estuarine Ecosystems
Start	End	Topic/Title	Speaker	Organization
8:30 AM	8:40 AM	Welcome & Introduction by the Session Chair	Dr. William Boicourt	University of Maryland / Center for Environmental Science
8:40 AM	9:05 AM	KEYNOTE: Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem: Decades of Degradation and a Road to Recovery? *(Presentation* – *Abstract*)	Dr. W. Michael Kemp	University of Maryland / Center for Environmental Science
9:05 AM	9:30 AM	Application of Advanced Indicators to Distinguish Military from Other Human and Climatic Impacts on Estuarine Ecosystem Function *(Presentation* – *Abstract*)	Prof. Hans Paerl	The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill / Institute of Marine Sciences
9:30 AM	9:55 AM	Resilience of Ecosystem Services to Natural Physical Forcings vs. Human Interventions on a Coastal Barrier at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base *(Presentation* – *Abstract*)	Dr. Charles Peterson	The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill / Institute of Marine Sciences
9:55 AM	10:20 AM	BREAK
10:20 AM	10:45 AM	Can Coastal Wetlands Survive a Higher Rate of Sea-Level Rise? *(Presentation* – *Abstract*)	Dr. James Morris	University of South Carolina / Bell Baruch Institute
10:45 AM	11:10 AM	Gulf Coast Wetlands and Sea-Level Rise: Giving Them a Fighting Chance *(Presentation* – *Abstract*)	Dr. Denise Reed	The University of New Orleans / Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences
11:10 AM	11:35 AM	Restoring Chesapeake Bay (Presentation)	Mr. J. Charles Fox	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / Office of the Administrator
11:35 AM	11:45 AM	Discussion / Wrap-Up