Reducing Nutrient Inputs to Coastal Ecosystems

The Nutrient Reduction Team is actively gathering the most current scientific and technical information available. In March 2009 leading researchers gathered in New Orleans to present research studies that will help guide the Nutrient Reduction Team in the selection of which Gulf of Mexico bays to study and which nutrients and chemical parameters to monitor. This step to organize existing knowledge and data will bring everyone… scientists, regulators and the public, to a common “starting” point.

The Nutrient Reduction Team is looking to have a technical oversight committee to help steer the process of a contractor developed biological index of the bays and estuaries of the Gulf region.  A Gulf of Mexico wide benthic vertebrate index has already been established and this technical oversight committee will build upon this index to include other biological data for a more complete picture of the state of a healthy Gulf of Mexico.

The Nutrient Reduction Team is also looking to collaborate with the Water Quality Team so as to avoid duplication of efforts, and to better coordinate coastal monitoring projects and data collection. Eventually, this scientific data will be made available in a user-friendly format with data portals and GIS (Geographic Information System) maps integrated with the Gulf Coast Ocean Observation System, GCOOS. For more information go to gcoos.rsmas.miami.edu/.