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Development of an Integrated Assessment of Great Lakes Using Towed in situ Sensor Technologies: Linking Nearshore Conditions with Adjacent Watersheds
Citation:
KELLY, J. R. AND P. M. YURISTA. Development of an Integrated Assessment of Great Lakes Using Towed in situ Sensor Technologies: Linking Nearshore Conditions with Adjacent Watersheds. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management. Taylor & Francis, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, 16(3):248-266, (2013).
Impact/Purpose:
To document research results.
Description:
Coastal and nearshore regions of the US/Canadian Great Lakes have not been included in monitoring efforts in any regular, consistent, or comprehensive fashion. To address this need, we have been developing a survey strategy using towed in situ sensors to provide spatially-comprehensive mapping of conditions along shallow depth contours that parallel the shoreline. Within the last decade, through our studies across all five Great Lakes, we have developed confidence in this strategy’s ability to assess the nearshore region efficiently and effectively, providing data that can simultaneously examine a variety of scales from local to lakewide. A significant attribute of the strategy is a demonstrated ability to link conditions in the dynamic nearshore to the character of adjacent contributing watersheds. We overview our development progress to date and comment on how the monitoring/assessment strategy may be useful in other large lake settings.