Shelter from the storm? Use and misuse of coastal vegetation bioshields for managing natural disasters

Vegetated coastal ecosystems provide goods and services to billions of people.In the aftermath of a series of recent natural disasters, including the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Cyclone Nargis, coastal vegetation has been widely promoted for the purpose of reducing the impact of large storm surges and tsunami. In this paper, we review the use of coastal vegetation as a ``bioshield'' against these extreme events. Our objective is to alter bioshield policy and reduce the long-term negative consequences for biodiversity and human capital. We begin with an overview of the scientific literature, in particular focusing on studies published since the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and discuss the science of wave attenuation by vegetation. We then explore case studies from the Indian subcontinent and evaluate the detrimental impacts bioshield plantations can have upon native ecosystems, drawing a distinction between coastal restoration and the introduction of exotic species in inappropriate locations. Finally, we place bioshield policies into a political context, and outline a new direction for coastal vegetation policy and research.

A numerical study of the role of the vertical structure of vorticity during tropical cyclone genesis

An eight-level axisymmetric model with simple parameterizations for clouds and the atmospheric boundary layer was developed to examine the evolution of vortices that are precursors to tropical cyclones. The effect of vertical distributions of vorticity, especially that arising from a merger of mid-level vortices, was studied by us to provide support for a new vortex-merger theory of tropical cyclone genesis. The basic model was validated with the analytical results available for the spin-down of axisymmetric vortices. With the inclusion of the cloud and boundary layer parameterizations, the evolution of deep vortices into hurricanes and the subsequent decay are simulated quite well. The effects of several parameters such as the initial vortex strength, radius of maximum winds, sea-surface temperature and latitude (Coriolis parameter) on the evolution were examined. A new finding is the manner in which mid-level vortices of the same strength decay and how, on simulated merger of these mid-level vortices, the resulting vortex amplifies to hurricane strength in a realistic time frame. The importance of sea-surface temperature on the evolution of full vortices was studied and explained. Also it was found that the strength of the surface vortex determines the time taken by the deep vortex to amplify to hurricane strength.

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 220]

O Relator Bernardo Cabral decidiu dar tratamento privilegiado na distribuição de recursos públicos para as regiões Norte, Nordeste e Centro-Oeste. O Deputado Joaci Góes (PMDB-BA) opina que a mais importante das propostas acolhidas é a da regionalização dos orçamentos. A Deputada Sandra Cavalcanti (PFL-RJ) esclarece que os principais avanços foram a permanência da Zona Franca de Manaus e a mudança na maneira de fazer os repasses dos recursos da União, que servirão para o fomento do desenvolvimento das regiões. O Senador Fernando Henrique Cardoso (PMDB-SP) propõe ao Relator da Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC) a divisão da votação em duas partes. O Senador Virgílio Távora (PDS-CE) avalia que não há previsão para o encerramento dos trabalhos. A Bancada Feminina luta não apenas pelo direitos das mulheres, mas também por avanços em outras áreas, como a Reforma Agrária. A Deputada Wilma Maia (PDS-CE) pede título de propriedade da terra para homens ou mulheres, esposas ou companheiras. A Deputada Anna Maria Rattes (PFL-RJ) afirma o engajamento da bancada feminina em todos os pontos polêmicos da Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC). A Deputada Moema São Thiago (PDT-CE) informa que a mulher pode esperar reconhecimento da igualdade entre homens e mulheres. Velado o corpo de Marcos Freire, no Salão Negro do Congresso Nacional , com missa de corpo presente.

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 193 C]

A situação do Nordeste e o drama da população que convive com a seca, o analfabetismo e a fome. Deputados e Senadores da Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC) opinam sobre o tema. O Deputado Antônio Mariz (PMDB-PB) informa que o principal problema é o subdesenvolvimento nordestino, o fato da região ter sido marginalizada e mantida fora dos fluxos normais do crescimento econômico do país. No Agreste Nordestino todos os planos da SUDENE (Superintendência do Desenvolvimento do Nordeste) previam a abertura de poços para aguar as pastagens, mas foram construídos apenas nas terras dos coronéis. Outro projeto da SUDENE que não deu certo foi o de produzir alimentos na zona úmida, em todo o vale do Rio São Francisco. O Senador Mansueto de Lavor (PMDB-PE) considera que as causas das crises do Nordeste tem origem no modelo de sociedade implantado na região, com a predominância das oligarquias que associam poder político e poder econômico. Dados sobre analfabetismo, subnutrição e distribuição de renda. O Deputado Raimundo Bezerra (PMDB-CE) afirma que há necessidade de diferenciar o Nordeste das demais regiões ricas para que as desigualdades desapareçam. A falta de terras e a seca tornou nômade o povo nordestino. O Deputado Agassiz de Almeida (PMDB-PB) esclarece que o processo de imigração do homem nordestino gera inchaço dos grandes centros urbanos e que é preciso ter uma política de fixação desse homem ao seu universo e as suas tradições. A Deputada Wilma Maia (PDS-RN) afirma que o Nordeste precisa de uma reforma agrária.

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 268]

A Comissão de Sistematização aprova oito itens do capítulo relativo aos direitos sociais. Negado o pedido do Deputado José Lins (PFL-CE) para suprimir o inciso referente ao direito à creche. A Deputada Sandra Cavalcanti (PFL-RJ) explica que nos capítulos da Educação e da Previdência Social, existem emendas que garantem o direito à creche para crianças de 0 a 6 anos. A Deputada Abigail Feitosa (PMDB-BA) e o Deputado Arthur da Távola (PMDB-RJ) comentam sobre o direito à creche. Aprovada a licença maternidade de 120 dias, cuja emenda é da Deputada Irma Passoni (PT-SP). O Senador Albano Franco (PMDB-SE) acredita que não haverá restrição à mulher no mercado de trabalho. Wilma Maia (PDS-RN) observa que a licença maternidade é mais uma vitória da mulher e que poderá diminuir a mortalidade infantil. O presidente da Assembléia Nacional Constituinte (ANC), Deputado Ulysses Guimarães, declara que a elaboração da Constituição é a etapa mais importante para a transição democrática do país.

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 108]

Os Constituintes consideram que é dever do Estado proteger as crianças. João de Deus Antunes (PDT-RS) diz que o menor vai ser um dos mais privilegiados na nova carta constitucional. Pontos fundamentais dos direitos da criança: direito à vida, à saúde, à alimentação e à educação; diireito à assistência social, mesmo que os pais não contribuam para a previdência; proteção aos menores carentes e infratores; legislação especial sobre o trabalho do menor. Wilma Maia (PDS-RN) afirma que a nova Constituição tem de fazer cumprir os princípios de proteção dos menores, a começar pela educação, baseada um uma nova concepção, que ensine as crianças seus direitos e seus deveres. Robson Marinho (PMDB-SP) considera que no texto da nova Constituição estão assegurados os direitos básicos da criança. Mário Covas (PMDB-SP) acompanha as reuniões da Comissão de Sistematização e acredita na compatibilização dos diferentes textos feitos pelas distintas correntes políticas na Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC). Artur da Távola (PMDB-RJ) aprova a permanência dos pontos mantidos no substitutivo da Comissão de Comunicação, especialmente as quatro finalidades da comunicação: cultural, educativa, regionalização da produção cultural e divulgação da cultura nacional. Bernardo Cabral (PMDB-AM), Relator da Comissão de Sistematização, faz balanço dos trabalhos e dos prazos. Na sessão O Povo Pergunta, cidadão quer saber o que está sendo decidido quanto a doação de órgãos. Uldurico Pinto (PMDB-BA) responde que todo cidadão é um doador em potencial, salvo aqueles que a família não permitir. Bernardo Cabral; João de Deus Antunes; Wilma Maia; Robson Marinho; Mário Covas; Fernando Henrique Cardoso; Arthur da Távola; Ulsorico Pinto;

Shoreline erosion due to extreme storms and sea level rise

A summary is presented of research conducted on beach erosion associated with extreme storms and sea level rise. These results were developed by the author and graduate students under sponsorship of the University of Delaware Sea Grant Program. Various shoreline response problems of engineering interest are examined. The basis for the approach is a monotonic equilibrium profile of the form h = Ax2 /3 in which h is water depth at a distance x from the shoreline and A is a scale parameter depending primarily on sediment characteristics and secondarily on wave characteristics. This form is shown to be consistent with uniform wave energy dissipation per unit volume. The dependency of A on sediment size is quantified through laboratory and field data. Quasi-static beach response is examined to represent the effect of sea level rise. Cases considered include natural and seawalled profiles. To represent response to storms of realistic durations, a model is proposed in which the offshore transport is proportional to the "excess" energy dissipation per unit volume. The single rate constant in this model was evaluated based on large scale wave tank tests and confirmed with Hurricane Eloise pre- and post-storm surveys. It is shown that most hurricanes only cause 10% to 25% of the erosion potential associated with the peak storm tide and wave conditions. Additional applications include profile response employing a fairly realistic breaking model in which longshore bars are formed and long-term (500 years) Monte Carlo simulation including the contributions due to sea level rise and random storm occurrences. (PDF has 67 pages.)

Selectivity of Metsulfuron Methyl to Six Common Littoral Species in Florida

Many Central Florida lakes, particularly those in the Kissimmee River watershed, are maintained 0.5 to 1.0 m lower than historic (pre-1960) levels during the summer hurricane season for flood control purposes. These lower water levels have allowed proliferation and formation of dense monotypic populations of pickerelweed ( Pontederia cordata L.) and other broadleaf species that out compete more desirable native grasses (Hulon, pers. comm., 2002). Due to the limited availability of data on the effects of metsulfuron methyl on wetland plants, particularly in Florida, the present study was carried out with the objective of testing its phytotoxicity on six wetland species, to determine the feasibility of its use for primary pickerelweed control.

Submarine landslides : selected studies in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone

Submarine Landslides: An Introduction 1 By RIo Lee, W.C. Schwab, and J.S. Booth U.S. Atlantic Continental Slope Landslides: Their Distribution, General Anributes, and Implications 14 By J.S. Booth, D.W. O'Leary, Peter Popenoe, and W.W. Danforth Submarine Mass Movement, a Formative Process of Passive Continental Margins: The Munson-Nygren Landslide Complex and the Southeast New England Landslide Complex 23 By D.W. O'Leary The Cape Fear Landslide: Slope Failure Associated with Salt Diapirism and Gas Hydrate Decomposition 40 By Peter Popenoe, E.A. Schmuck, and W.P. Dillon Ancient Crustal Fractures Control the Location and Size of Collapsed Blocks at the Blake Escarpment, East of Florida 54 By W.P. Dillon, J.S. Risch, K.M. Scanlon, P.C. Valentine, and Q.J. Huggett Tectonic and Stratigraphic Control on a Giant Submarine Slope Failure: Puerto Rico Insular Slope 60 By W.C. Schwab, W.W. Danforth, and K.M. Scanlon Slope Failure of Carbonate Sediment on the West Florida Slope 69 By D.C. Twichell, P.C. Valentine, and L.M. Parson Slope Failures in an Area of High Sedimentation Rate: Offshore Mississippi River Delta 79 By J.M. Coleman, D.B. Prior, L.E. Garrison, and H.J. Lee Salt Tectonics and Slope Failure in an Area of Salt Domes in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico 92 By B.A. McGregor, R.G. Rothwell, N.H. Kenyon, and D.C. Twichell Slope Stability in Regions 01 Sea-Floor Gas Hydrate: Beaufort Sea Continental Slope 97 By R.E. Kayen and H.J. Lee Mass Movement Related to Large Submarine Canyons Along the Beringian Margin, Alaska 104 By P.R. Carlson, H.A. Karl, B.D. Edwards, J.V. Gardner, and R. Hall Comparison of Tectonic and Stratigraphic Control of Submarine Landslides on the Kodiak Upper Continental Slope, Alaska 117 By M.A. Hampton Submarine Landslides That Had a Significant Impact on Man and His Activities: Seward and Valdez, Alaska 123 By M.A. Hampton, R.W. Lemke, and H.W. Coulter Processes Controlling the Style of Mass Movement in Glaciomarine Sediment: Northeastern Gulf of Alaska 135 By W.C. Schwab and H.J. Lee Contents V VI Contents Liquefaction of Continental Shelf Sediment: The Northern California Earthquake of 1980 143 By M.E. Field A Submarine Landslide Associated with Shallow Sea-Floor Gas and Gas Hydrates off Northern California 151 By M.E. Field and J.H. Barber, Jr. Sur Submarine Landslide, a Deep-Water Sediment Slope Failure 158 By C.E. Gutmacher and W.R. Normark Seismically Induced Mudflow in Santa Barbara Basin, California 167 By B.D. Edwards, H.J. Lee, and M.E. Field Submarine Landslides in a Basin and Ridge Setting, Southern California 176 By M.E. Field and B.D. Edwards Giant Volcano-Related Landslides and the Development of the Hawaiian Islands 184 By W.R. Normark, J.G. Moore, and M.E. Torresan Submarine Slope Failures Initiated by Hurricane Iwa, Kahe Point, Oahu, Hawaii 197 By W.R. Normark, Pat Wilde, J.F. Campbell, T.E. Chase, and Bruce Tsutsui (PDF contains 210 pages)

Fish assemblages and benthic habitats of Buck Island Reef National Monument (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) and the surrounding seascape: A characterization of spatial and temporal patterns

Since 1999, NOAA’s Biogeography Branch of the Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA-BB) has been working with federal and territorial partners to characterize, monitor, and assess the status of the marine environment around northeastern St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. This effort is part of the broader NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program’s (CRCP) National Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Program (NCREMP). With support from CRCP’s NCREMP, CCMA conducts the “Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring project” (CREM) with goals to: (1) spatially characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance, and size of marine fauna associated with shallow water coral reef seascapes (mosaics of coral reefs, seagrasses, sand and mangroves); (2) relate this information to in situ fine-scale habitat data and the spatial distribution and diversity of habitat types using benthic habitat maps; (3) use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting; (4) establish the efficacy of those management decisions; and (5) develop data collection and data management protocols. The monitoring effort in northeastern St. Croix was conducted through partnerships with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (VI-DPNR). The geographical focal point of the research is Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM), a protected area originally established in 1961 and greatly expanded in 2001; however, the work also encompassed a large portion of the recently created St. Croix East End Marine Park (EEMP). Project funding is primarily provided by NOAA CRCP, CCMA and NPS. In recent decades, scientific and non-scientific observations have indicated that the structure and function of the coral reef ecosystem around northeastern St. Croix have been adversely impacted by a wide range of environmental stressors. The major stressors have included the mass Diadema die off in the early 1980s, a series of hurricanes beginning with Hurricane Hugo in 1989, overfishing, mass mortality of Acropora corals due to disease and several coral bleaching events, with the most severe mass bleaching episode in 2005. The area is also an important recreational resource supporting boating, snorkeling, diving and other water based activities. With so many potential threats to the marine ecosystem and a dramatic change in management strategy in 2003 when the park’s Interim Regulations (Presidential Proclamation No. 7392) established BIRNM as one of the first fully protected marine areas in NPS system, it became critical to identify existing marine fauna and their spatial distributions and temporal dynamics. This provides ecologically meaningful data to assess ecosystem condition, support decision making in spatial planning (including the evaluation of efficacy of current management strategies) and determine future information needs. The ultimate goal of the work is to better understand the coral reef ecosystems and to provide information toward protecting and enhancing coral reef ecosystems for the benefit of the system itself and to sustain the many goods and services that it offers society. This Technical Memorandum contains analysis of the first six years of fish survey data (2001-2006) and associated characterization of the benthos (1999-2006). The primary objectives were to quantify changes in fish species and assemblage diversity, abundance, biomass and size structure and to provide spatially explicit information on the distribution of key species or groups of species and to compare community structure inside (protected) versus outside (fished) areas of BIRNM. (PDF contains 100 pages).

M/V CONNECTED Coral Reef Restoration Monitoring Report, Monitoring Events 2004-2005. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Monroe County, Florida

This document presents the results of the monitoring of a repaired coral reef injured by the M/V Connected vessel grounding incident of March 27, 2001. This grounding occurred in Florida state waters within the boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida, (“State of Florida” or “state”) are the co-trustees for the natural resources within the FKNMS and, thus, are responsible for mediating the restoration of the damaged marine resources and monitoring the outcome of the restoration actions. The restoration monitoring program tracks patterns of biological recovery, determines the success of restoration measures, and assesses the resiliency to environmental and anthropogenic disturbances of the site over time. The monitoring program at the Connected site was to have included an assessment of the structural stability of installed restoration modules and biological condition of reattached corals performed on the following schedule: immediately (i.e., baseline), 1, 3, and 6 years after restoration and following a catastrophic event. Restoration of this site was completed on July 20, 2001. Due to unavoidable delays in the settlement of the case, the “baseline” monitoring event for this site occurred in July 2004. The catastrophic monitoring event occurred on August 31, 2004, some 2 ½ weeks after the passage of Hurricane Charley which passed nearby, almost directly over the Dry Tortugas. In September 2005, the year one monitoring event occurred shortly after the passage of Hurricane Katrina, some 70 km to the NW. This report presents the results of all three monitoring events. (PDF contains 37 pages.)

M/V JACQUELYN L Coral Reef Restoration Monitoring Report, Monitoring Events 2004-2005. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Monroe County, Florida

This document presents the results of the monitoring of a repaired coral reef injured by the M/V Jacquelyn L vessel grounding incident of July 7, 1991. This grounding occurred in Florida state waters within the boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida, (“State of Florida” or “state”) are the co-trustees for the natural resources within the FKNMS and, thus, are responsible for mediating the restoration of the damaged marine resources and monitoring the outcome of the restoration actions. The restoration monitoring program tracks patterns of biological recovery, determines the success of restoration measures, and assesses the resiliency to environmental and anthropogenic disturbances of the site over time. The monitoring program at the Jacquelyn L site was to have included an assessment of the structural stability of installed restoration modules and biological condition of reattached corals performed on the following schedule: immediately (i.e., baseline), 1, 3, and 6 years after restoration and following a catastrophic event. Restoration of this site was completed on July 20, 2000. Due to unavoidable delays in the settlement of the case, the “baseline” monitoring event for this site occurred in July 2004. The catastrophic monitoring event occurred on August 31, 2004, some 2 ½ weeks after the passage of Hurricane Charley which passed nearby, almost directly over the Dry Tortugas. In September 2005, the year one monitoring event occurred shortly after the passage of Hurricane Katrina, some 70 km to the NW. This report presents the results of all three monitoring events. (PDF contains 31 pages.)

Combined useage statistics as a basis for Research intelligence

Knowledge Exchange hosted a workshop in March 2010 with the aim to bring together technical experts working in partner projects collecting usage statistics including PIRUS2, OAstatistik and SURFsure projects. Experts from other related projects (RePec and NeeO) were also involved. The workshop produced a briefing paper on combined usage statistics as a basis for research intelligence. In this paper, the experts make a cause for collecting and exchanging usage statistics as this can provide valuable insight in how research is being used, not only by the research community, but also by business and society in general. This would provide a basis for 'Research Intelligence', an intelligent use of reliable numerical data which can be used as a basis for decision making in higher education and research. Usage statistics are a clear example of data which can offer a valuable contribution to the information required to make informed decisions. To allow for the meaningful collection, exchange and analysis of usage statistics, a number of challenges and opportunities need to be addressed and further steps need to be taken.

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 691]

Os movimentos de moradia reivindicam a reforma urbana, buscando melhor uso do solo e a função social da propriedade. Requerem, também, a posse de usucapião com uso de 5 anos na terra, o imposto progressivo das terras paradas e a possibilidade de desapropriação, por parte do governo, com pagamento de título dívida pública.

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 546]

Enquanto não se decide a votação do capítulo da Reforma Agrária, já começam a se movimentar na Constituinte os grupos de pressão para o próximo Título a ser votado: o da Ordem Social. Exposição em defesa do Sistema Único de Saúde está na rampa de acesso ao Plenário. Um vídeo apresenta depoimentos dos defensores do Sistema Único. Também chegaram à Constituintes 143.000 assinaturas populares, recolhidas no Rio de Janeiro, em defesa da Escola Gratuita. Constituintes, diante do abaixo assinado, ressaltam a importância de destinar recursos públicos para a escola pública, além das escolas comunitárias, confessionais e as filantrópicas, sem fins lucrativos. A Reforma Agrária também tem seu lobby. Ele está montado no corredor de acesso ao Plenário. São painéis mostrando a história das lutas no campo. Líderes partidários e os representantes do Centrão,se reúnem no Gabinete do Senador Mário Covas para discutir a Reforma Agrária. O impasse permanece quanto à definição da terra produtiva e quanto à necessidade de cumprir ou não a função social.