Klemas, V., 2014. Remote sensing of riparian and wetland buffers: an overview.

Forested riparian and wetland buffers can help protect stream water quality, provide wildlife habitat, preserve floodplains and wetlands, protect against erosion, and provide recreational value. Many waterways have no buffers or buffers that have been degraded by human activities, including agriculture and urban development. To plan, evaluate, and restore riparian buffers, wetland managers need to monitor the conditions of constantly changing buffers over time. Remote sensing offers a cost-effective monitoring approach. Because riparian and wetland buffer zones exhibit extreme variations in width, length, spatial complexity, soil, and vegetation cover, mapping their hydrology and land cover requires high-spatial- and high-spectral-resolution data. The recent availability of high-spatial-resolution satellite and high-spectral-resolution aircraft imagery has significantly improved the capacity for mapping riparian buffers, wetlands, and other ecosystems. However, satellite sensors still do not have the combined spatial and spectral resolution to reliably identify buffer vegetation types and conditions. New interpretation strategies need to be developed to maximize the information obtained from high-resolution satellite sensors while minimizing the problems specific to high-resolution imagery, such as high variability within scene elements and within scene objects. The objective of this article is to review applications of remotely sensed data for modeling, designing, and evaluating riparian and wetland buffers.

Fertig, B.; Carruthers, T.J.B., and Dennison, W.C., 2014. Oyster δ¹⁵N as a bioindicator of potential wastewater and poultry farming impacts and degraded water quality in a subestuary of Chesapeake Bay.

Anthropogenic nitrogen contributes to water quality degradation, but it is difficult to distinguish sources once they are mixed in coastal ecosystems. Natural abundances of stable nitrogen isotopes (δ¹⁵N) were measured in oyster (Crassostrea virginica) tissues (muscle, gills, and mantle) during summer 2006 to summer 2008 to identify nitrogen sources in Monie Bay (a subestuary of Chesapeake Bay) receiving freshwater inputs from three tributary creeks. The creeks (estimated flushing times: 3.5, 5.7, and 37.2 d) vary in size and potential nitrogen sources: septic systems and poultry operations (Monie Creek), crop fertilizer (Little Monie Creek), and wetlands, forest, or both (Little Creek). Grand mean oyster tissue δ¹⁵N values (11.8 ± 0.4‰ in muscle, 10.4 ± 0.4‰ in gills, and 10.5 ± 0.3‰ in mantle) indicated a mixture of human and animal sources. Potential nitrogen loss from denitrification (15.1–24.5%) likely did not substantially modify isotopic values, and δ¹⁵N values were greater than would be expected from atmospheric sources, refuting these alternative explanations. Though dilute, spatial patterns supported the inference that human waste, poultry waste, or both entered Monie Bay from its watershed and the adjacent Wicomico River watershed (via mixing). Calculated nitrogen generation from poultry manure in the watershed (containing 2.5 × 10³ people) was 2.9 × 10⁴ to 1.0 × 10⁶ kg of total nitrogen (TN) per year (equivalent to 6.8 × 10³–2.3 × 10⁵ people), whereas throughout Delmarva Peninsula (containing 1.2 × 10⁶ people) it was 3.9 × 10⁶ to 1.3 × 10⁸ kg TN y⁻¹ (equivalent to 9.0 × 10⁵–3.1 × 10⁸ people). Conservatively estimated (based on 0.038 kg chicken⁻¹ y⁻¹), poultry in the Monie Bay watershed generated an amount of nitrogen equivalent to that generated by 263% of the human population. Throughout Delmarva Peninsula, poultry generated an amount of nitrogen equivalent to that generated by 76% of the human population. Estuaries commonly receive nutrients from both inside and outside their watersheds, and oyster δ¹⁵N values elucidated this process locally.

Fidalgo, F.; Santos, A.; Pimenta, S.; Marques, J., and Honrado, J., 2014. Regional environmental gradients influence ecophysiological responses of dominant coastal dune plants to changes in local conditions.

Coastal dunes are dynamic systems exposed to multiple environmental changes; therefore, specific, sensitive, and cost-efficient indicators are needed for ecological assessment and monitoring. We addressed whether biochemical indicators of plant physiological stress could provide a complementary approach to classic disturbance indicators for identifying dune areas undergoing ecological change. We hypothesized that disturbance related to a shift from (meta-) stability to erosive dynamics would promote increased stress on foredune plants, which would exhibit adaptive physiological responses that could be captured through standard biochemical tests. Such responses would anticipate other reported responses of foredune communities, such as loss of facilitation capacity or decrease of species richness. We also hypothesized that such responses would be influenced by biogeographic context, based on reported interactions between regional and local gradients. We compared patterns of proline accumulation and membrane lipid peroxidation in plants of sand-couch (Elytrigia juncea), a foredune specialist, from 27 transects at nine locations under contrasting dynamics along a climatic gradient in northern Portugal. Next, we evaluated effects of coastal dynamics and biogeographic context on proline accumulation and lipid peroxidation and compared physiological stress patterns with variations in topographic and phytocoenotic attributes of dune ecosystems related to contrasting coastal dynamics. We found proline accumulation to be significantly higher (and lipid peroxidation proportionally lower) in plants from sites under chronic erosive dynamics. This response of physiological stress indicators was further confirmed by their significant correlation with topographic and phytocoenotic indicators. We also confirmed significant effects of regional gradients on the ecophysiological responses to contrasting coastal dynamics, which were better discriminated under Mediterranean climate than among Atlantic sites. This interaction between regional climate and local disturbance suggests caution in the wide use of ecophysiological responses for ecological assessment and monitoring before regionally stratified models are calibrated to compensate for interactions among processes operating at different scales.

Stanley, J.-D. and Clemente, P.L., 2014. Mica and heavy minerals as markers to map Nile Delta coastline displacements during the Holocene.

Mica and heavy minerals in sediments of Egypt's Nile Delta are examined to test if measured proportions of these two mineral groups and their distributions can be used to define former coastline positions and their shifts in time and space during the Holocene. The premise of the study is based on the sufficiently different attributes of these two components, especially their shape, density, and size, which could induce their segregation and dissimilar dispersal patterns during sediment transport. To test this hypothesis, mineralogical data from more than 1400 samples from 87 sediment cores recovered across the northern third of the delta margin were analyzed. The marked contrast in both temporal and spatial distributions of high proportions of mica and of heavy minerals indicates distinct separation occurred primarily north of the central delta, in an area from ∼45 km south of the present shoreline to ∼10–15 km offshore during the time span considered. Additionally, detailed examination of core sediment types demonstrates a relationship between the proportions of these two mineral groups and proportions of clay, silt, and sand fractions in which they occur near the present coast. Mica is preferentially deposited with silt and clay landward of the modern shore, while heavy mineral concentrations are generally associated with coarser silt and sand near and seaward of the shoreline. Shifts of the Nile Delta margin have been triggered by natural processes leading to insufficient sediment replenishment: relative sea-level rise involving delta plain subsidence and shoreline erosion, and intensified human activity, especially during the past two centuries, such as construction of dams, barrages, and entrapment by the delta's expanded canal system. The approach used here helps define two of the three major earlier Holocene coastal shifts, and it could be used to measure ongoing and future landward shoreline advances onto the delta plain.

Brill, D.; Pint, A.; Jankaew, K.; Frenzel, P.; Schwarzer, K.; Vött, A., and Brückner, H., 2014. Sediment transport and hydrodynamic parameters of tsunami waves recorded in onshore geoarchives.

In regions with a short historical tsunami record, the assessment of long-term tsunami risk strongly depends on geological evidence of prehistoric events. Whereas dating tsunami deposits is already well established, magnitude assessment based on remaining sedimentary structures is still a major challenge. In this study, two approaches were applied to deduce transport processes and hydrodynamic parameters of tsunami events from onshore deposits found in the coastal plain of Ban Bang Sak, SW Thailand: (1) The maximum offshore sediment source was determined using granulometry, geochemistry, mineralogy and foraminifera of the tsunamites, and reference samples from various marine and terrestrial environments, and (2) the onshore flow velocities and flow depths of associated tsunami waves were estimated by means of sedimentation modelling. In the case of the Indian Ocean tsunami (IOT) of 2004, modelled flow velocities of 3.7 to 4.9 m/s, modelled onshore flow depths of up to 5.5 m, and a sediment source from offshore areas shallower than a 45-m water depth—including littoral sediments transported as bedload and suspended load from the shallow subtidal zone—are in agreement with quotations based on survivor videos and posttsunami surveys. For a 500- to 700-year-old predecessor, comparable flow velocities and flow depths of 4.1 to 5.9 m/s and 4.0 to 7.5 m, respectively, were modelled, indicating a similar magnitude as the IOT 2004. Comparable values of maximum transport distance and depth of wave erosion were also found. In the case of three older tsunami candidates, dated to 1180 to 2000 cal BP, the deposits indicate partly similar source areas with water depths of less than 45 m and partly shallower source areas restricted solely to the beach. Whereas the former tsunamis are interpreted as events similar to 2004, the latter are more likely storms or tsunamis of a lower magnitude.

Eakins, B.W. and Grothe, P.R., 2014. Challenges in building coastal digital elevation models.

Digital elevation models (DEMs) support a wide variety of uses, including modeling of surface processes, habitat mapping and conservation planning, coastal change and terrain analysis, and Earth visualization and exploration. These models may, however, contain significant deviations from the surface they are intended to represent, which could reduce their usefulness. Additional complexities arise when integrating bathymetric and topographic data to create coastal DEMs. We identify common challenges in building square-cell, coastal DEMs and present some solutions. These challenges are grouped into six general categories: (1) source data, (2) data processing, (3) model development, (4) model assessment, (5) morphologic change, and (6) model uncertainty. Some DEM best practices to help improve DEM accuracy and utility include: visual inspection of source data in a geographic information system (GIS) environment; establishing common horizontal and vertical datums; using data buffers and bathymetric presurfaces; assessing DEM accuracy; accounting for morphologic change; and quantifying DEM uncertainty at the cell level.

Hwang, S.D.; Lee, T.W.; Choi, I.S., and Hwang, S.W., 2014. Environmental factors affecting the daily catch levels of Anguilla japonica glass eels in the Geum River estuary, South Korea.

The Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, is a catadromous fish whose recruitment stage glass eels enter estuaries and rivers after being born offshore in the ocean. The daily variation in glass eel catch was analyzed in relation to environmental factors that affect upstream migration. The first glass eels of the 2003 season were caught in the Geum River estuary in early March, when the water temperature exceeded 5°C. The catch rates peaked in mid-March, when the temperature reached 6–7°C. Few glass eels were caught when the temperature was above 14–16°C in early May. Water temperature may have triggered the timing of glass eel immigration. The catch fluctuated with tidal cycle, since the catch level was relatively high during each new and full moon throughout the sampling period. A generalized additive model indicated that the glass eel catch was significantly related to tidal range, temperature, and salinity. To estimate the effect of minor factors, such as salinity and wind speed, on catch rate, we calculated the standardized residuals of catch rate. The standardized residuals of catch rate did not show any correlations to freshwater inflow or cloud cover, but occasionally increases were seen as a result of drops in salinity and 2–3 days after strong winds, suggesting that these factors may also trigger upstream migration of glass eels in the estuary.

Barbaro, G.; Foti, G.; Sicilia, L., and Malara, G., 2014. A formula for the calculation of the longshore sediment transport including spectral effects.

The objective of this paper is to propose an expression for the calculation of the longshore sediment transport (LST), including the effect of the spectral shape associated with the free surface displacement. The expression is derived theoretically by using the wave flux approach in conjunction with the spectral representation of the wave field propagating to the coast. The resulting expression possesses the simplicity of implementation of classical LST formulae, with the additional feature of including a dimensionless coefficient encapsulating the spectral shape influence. The reliability of the proposed formula is assessed against the results of pertinent field data. Furthermore, its adequacy is investigated in the light of existing formulae. In this article, we show that the proposed LST formula is capable of reducing the large overestimations associated with the LST calculation and of reducing scattering between calculated and the measured LST rates.

Dong, S.; Tao, S.; Chen, C., and Soares, C.G., 2014. Interval estimations of return wave height based on maximum entropy distribution.

Five different interval estimation methods for extreme wave heights based on maximum entropy distribution are considered and compared. Three are parametric methods: Woodruff, maximum likelihood, and sample quantile asymptotic, and two are nonparametric methods: order statistics and sign test. The extreme significant wave height is fitted by a maximum entropy distribution, which is then used to conduct numerical simulations so as to apply the interval estimation methods to the 100 year return period estimates. These simulation results show that parametric methods have generally better performance than the nonparametric ones. Finally, a case study using the extreme wave height from Weizhou Island in the South China Sea is considered, and it is shown that the maximum likelihood method gives the best interval estimation for the actual data.

Zhou, Q.; Zhan, J.-M., and Li, Y.-S., 2014. Numerical study of interaction between solitary wave and two submerged obstacles in tandem.

In this work, a transient two-dimensional numerical model based on a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equation with a k − ϵ turbulence closure model and the volume of fluid method is used to study the interaction of a solitary wave with two impermeable submerged obstacles in tandem. The accuracy of the numerical model was first verified with test cases for which experimental data are available for comparison with the computed results. It is verified that the present numerical model can capture the free surface profile as well as predict the temporal variation of the velocity and vorticity fields accurately. Using this model, the effects of incident wave height and distance of separation between the two obstacles on the generation and evolution of vortices due to flow separation and drag forces on the obstacles are studied, and a parametric study on reflection, transmission, and dissipation coefficients is also included. The numerical results reveal that the rear obstacle might constrain the movement of the primary vortex on the lee side of the front obstacle but cannot reduce its strength. Also a tertiary counterclockwise vortex is generated. The wave energy dissipation in the case of two obstacles in tandem increases with the distance of separation between the two obstacles until some threshold, and the negative peak value of the drag coefficient of the front obstacle is larger than that of a single obstacle.

El-Asmar, H.M.; El-Kafrawy, S.B., and Taha, M.M.N., 2014. Monitoring coastal changes along Damietta promontory and the barrier beach toward Port Said east of the Nile Delta, Egypt.

Monitoring the coastal changes along Nile Delta coast is a very interesting task. It provides an opportunity to implement strategic coastal planning and resource potentiality. Studying sequential periods of thematic mapper (TM) satellite, SPOT, and Egysat-1 images covering the periods from 1973, 1984, 1987, 1991, 2003, 2007, to 2011 for the coastal strip between Damietta and Port Said helps us understand the behavior of this coast in terms of physical and human processes. Human processes are apparently reflected in several faces of erosion/accretion with consequent shoreline changes. The resulting rates and forms of coastal change are unbelievable and unexpected. Average rates of shoreline change from −35 m/y to 40 m/y were measured from the satellites and verified from the ground depending on the implemented protection measures and shoreline orientation in relation to marine processes. We divided the studied coastal strip accordingly into four major sectors. The long sector (sector 4) between Damietta and Port Said (45 km length) is studied through four stations carefully selected in early studies taking into consideration the same processes and the position of newly constructed oil and gas facilities. After the construction of a seawall east of the Damietta branch outlet, Damietta spit shows considerable changes. New areas of erosion and accretion have developed with average rates of −61.45 m/y and 94.82 m/y, respectively, and SE migration of 78.3 m/y. Managing coastal development and reviewing the strategy of constructing oil and gas facilities along the Damietta–Port Said barrier beach are very important tasks. This coast is very narrow, threatened by wave storms, and, most significantly, it is eroding (−18.7 m/y at Station 1 and −9.5 m/y at Station 3). The presence of such facilities may also accelerate the subsidence of this narrow coast. At the same time several promising and ambitious projects suitable for this coastal environment are waiting for investors; one of these projects concerns the triangle of Damietta spit.

Byers, S.E. and Chmura, G.L., 2014. Observations on shallow subsurface hydrology at Bay of Fundy macrotidal salt marshes.

Hydrology is a major driver of salt marsh functions and the ecological services they support. Sediment saturation, and thus subsurface hydrology, affects salt marsh vegetation productivity, zonation, and survival. Subsurface hydrology influences rates of subsidence; concentrations of nutrients, organic matter, and oxygen; fluxes of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide; and sediment toxicity. Therefore, baseline knowledge of subsurface hydrology is crucial in predicting and managing change in salt marshes. Previous research on subsurface hydrology has mostly been conducted in organogenic, microtidal marshes that do not provide suitable models for minerogenic, macrotidal marshes such as those in the Bay of Fundy. In this study, we examine drivers of subsurface hydrology and compare two pairs of reference and recovering marshes with tidal amplitudes of 6 to 12 m. Measurements in PVC wells at various depths reveal differences between seasons, during the neap-spring tidal cycle, and between channels of differing depths. We suggest that soil characteristics, duration between inundation events, marsh geomorphology, and precipitation all are more important drivers of subsurface hydrology in Bay of Fundy marshes than tidal height. Our observations also indicate that subsurface hydrology generally can be restored to previously drained marshes. Bay of Fundy marshes are likely to be more ecologically resistant to rising sea level because changes in tidal heights will have a minimal effect on subsurface hydrology. Thus, restoration of the many Bay of Fundy marshes previously drained for agriculture is likely to be successful in offsetting losses expected in more vulnerable, microtidal marshes.

Kriebel, D.L. and Geiman, J.D., 2014. A coastal flood stage to define existing and future sea-level hazards.

This paper explores the possible definition of a generic coastal flood stage (FS), an elevation at which significant flooding of local infrastructure is initiated, for regional or nationwide use in flood hazard analysis. By using monthly National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tidal gauge data from several coastal locations, a coastal FS based on the statistics of extreme high water events is proposed. This statistical FS is then compared to moderate and major FSs established by the National Weather Service with good agreement. Once adopted, the FS serves as a less ambiguous reference elevation or threshold to which the flooding potential of future storm events and sea-level rise can be compared and allows for consistent comparison between different sites.

Olea, R.A. and Coleman, J.L., Jr., 2014. A synoptic examination of causes of land loss in southern Louisiana as related to the exploitation of subsurface geologic resources.

During the last 80 years, Louisiana has been losing wetlands at an average rate of 62 km²/y (24 mi²/y) for an accumulated loss of approximately 4900 km² (1900 mi²). The loss seems to be the combined result of natural and anthropogenic causes that are behind primarily land subsidence averaging about 10 mm/y (0.4 in/y) coinciding with a sea level rise now at 3 mm/y (0.1 in/y), both contributing to coastal inundation. Upon completing extensive review of often controversial and conflicting views only synoptically reported here, conclusions reached by applying Monte Carlo simulation include: (1) geodetic measurements are consistent with independently postulated causes of regional subsidence; (2) ranking of subsidence factors shows that the main contributor to the regional subsidence is adjustment to sediment load in the form of lithosphere flexure followed by normal faulting dipping basinward, which combined, account on average for 70% of the subsidence, with compaction accounting for another 23%; and (3) production of oil and gas plays a tertiary role. The literature supports the historical view that before experiencing engineering modifications across the catchment area, sedimentation from the Mississippi River system was able to build a prograding coastline by overcoming subsidence rates of similar magnitude with more generous sediment loads of coarser particle size. Sea level rise will become an increasingly dominant factor in land loss only if the acceleration predicted by simulation model scenarios materializes. Wetland losses most likely will continue for as long as there is no compensation to counterbalance the negative effects of land subsidence and sea level rise, with the latter determining the pace of future losses.

Cline, M.D.; Feagin, R.A., and Yeager, K.M., 2014. Modeling salt marsh cover response to relative water level: Local fault motion versus global eustatic rise.

The movement of growth faults on subsiding coastlines contributes to wetland losses, yet it has been unclear whether they can provide a point of reference for understanding the impacts of climate-induced relative sea level rise (RSLR) on wetland habitat. The objective of this study was to simulate land cover conversion as a function of RSLR within a wetland and to compare and contrast fault-induced elevation change with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 sea level rise projections. For an area surrounding a growth fault in Matagorda, Texas, aerial images were draped over a digital elevation model (DEM) to identify the dependent elevations of land cover classes and, subsequently, to model potential future outcomes based on variable RSLR rates. Modeling results show that rapid water-level rise can force wetland land-cover class conversion regardless of whether the rise is caused by vertical fault displacement or eustatic sea level rise. The model findings point to an RSLR rate of approximately 0.36 cm/y for complete loss of the Matagorda wetlands by 2100, although the sustainability of the wetlands in their current configuration and coverage will likely require rates well below the IPCC 2007 low rise rate. Current and historical record conditions of sea level rise, along the Texas Gulf Coast, greatly exceed the rates discussed, leaving a grim outlook for the coast in this region.

Reid, S.K.; Tissot, P.E., and Williams, D.D., 2014. Methodology for applying GIS to evaluate hydrodynamic model performance in predicting coastal inundation.

Accurate inundation predictions are critical to habitat conservation, littoral boundary definition, and coastal planning. Validating a hydrodynamic model against field observations is essential for evaluating model performance. The output of a typical hydrodynamic model provides georeferenced predictions that can be used to delineate a wet/dry boundary. This paper presents two geospatial methods that complement in-situ point-based validation. The methods utilize the Coastal Modeling System (CMS) hydrodynamic model and ArcMap software. In general, the techniques are applicable to other calibrated hydrodynamic models and may be applied independently or in conjunction. Each method was validated with an extensive data set available for tidal flats located along Packery Channel, Texas. Method 1 compared model predictions to the observed conditions of high-resolution aerial and satellite imagery, which were classified using one of two geospatial processes. Method 2 applied the model output to delineate the maximum flood extent and then compared the predicted extent to topographic surveys, which define the true time-dependent flood line. Method 1 was applied to 11 test cases for which reliable high-resolution aerial and satellite imagery was available, while method 2 was based on five topographic surveys. The hydrodynamic model was well calibrated, with average absolute errors ranging from 0.026 to 0.125 m/s for current predictions. Analyses quantified agreement between model predictions and classified imagery ranging from 69% to 91%. This methodology expands present capabilities to assess and improve hydrodynamic model predictions, particularly for inundation delineation in shallow coastal environments and coastal settings strongly influenced by nontidal factors such as wind.

Pokavanich, T. and Alosairi, Y., 2014. Summer flushing characteristics of Kuwait Bay.

Flushing capability of an arid, shallow, semienclosed bay was investigated in this study through a well-validated, three-dimensional, numerical model. The numerical model, Delft3D-FLOW, was used to generate the hydrodynamics and transport characteristics of the water in Kuwait Bay. The Bay, located in the NW area of the Arabian Gulf and at the heart of the State of Kuwait, is a relatively shallow, mesotidal, hypersaline, inverse estuary. The Bay provides multifaceted functions, sustaining fast-growing cities and productive natural coastal ecosystems. However, the water-quality condition of the Bay has been rapidly degraded. The numerical models were driven, calibrated, and validated by realistic combined effects of tide, wind, and thermohaline circulation driven by measured data. Numerical tracer analysis was used to determine the flushing times at different parts of the Bay. Results suggest that the flushing characteristics of the Bay can be categorized into three main regimes, i.e. (1) the fastest flushing in the deeper areas close to the Bay mouth governed by strong, fluctuating tidal currents; (2) fast flushing at the intertidal areas north of the Bay mouth governed by wind-driven currents; and (3) relatively slower flushing at the inner part of the Bay driven by thermohaline circulation. Inclusion of the wind- and density-driven currents to the numerical model in this study significantly reduced the flushing time results from Kuwait Bay to 65 days, compared with much higher values estimated in previous studies.

Abi-Ghanem, C.; Khalaf, G., and Najjar, E., 2014. Distribution of lead, cadmium, and vanadium in Lebanese coastal sediments and mussels.

To evaluate Lebanon coastal contamination by trace metals (Pb, Cd, and V), we measured their distributions in marine sediments and in bioindicator mussels (Brachidontes variabilis) along the Lebanese coastal zone. Seven sampling sites, Itanieh, Jiyeh, Beirut, Byblos, Batroun, Tripoli, and Arida, were selected. Trace-metal concentrations, determined in pelitic fraction of the sediment (<63 μm), were the highest in Tripoli sediments for Pb (104.4 μg g⁻¹) and Cd (0.23 μg g⁻¹), and in Arida for V (270 μg g⁻¹). In B. variabilis, the highest Pb concentrations corresponded to mussels collected from Batroun (6.32 μg g⁻¹), whereas the highest Cd concentrations were obtained in the Palms Island (off Tripoli) (1.3 μg g⁻¹) and the highest V levels in Batroun (4.94 μg g⁻¹). The determination of the geoaccumulation index shows that the investigated sediments on the Lebanese coast are unpolluted with Cd, moderately to strongly polluted with V at Arida, and extremely polluted with Pb at Tripoli. Pb concentrations in mussels B. variabilis are low compared with levels obtained in polluted areas in the world. However, Cd levels in the studied bioindicators at Batroun and Tripoli are similar to those obtained in other Mediterranean moderately polluted sites. High Cd and V levels in mussels collected at Batroun clearly show the anthropogenic impact of the nearby fertilizer plant.

Bethel, M.B.; Brien, L.F.; Esposito, M.M.; Miller, C.T.; Buras, H.S.; Laska, S.B.; Philippe, R.; Peterson, K.J., and Richards, C.P., 2014. Sci-TEK: A GIS-based multidisciplinary method for incorporating traditional ecological knowledge into Louisiana's coastal restoration decision-making processes.

Making more informed coastal restoration and protection decisions has become increasingly important given limited resources available for ecosystem restoration projects and the increasing magnitude of marsh and barrier island degradation, and associated land loss, across Louisiana's coast. An interdisciplinary team of physical and social scientists, coastal restoration managers, and fishers/resource harvesters of affected coastal Louisiana communities collaborated on this study, with the goal of enhancing restoration decision making by engaging local ecosystem knowledge holders in the process. Together they investigated the feasibility and benefits of integrating the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of a coastal population with geospatial technology and scientific data sets to assess how the resulting knowledge might inform project planning and implementation for coastal restoration. The primary goal was to provide coastal resource managers with a more comprehensive and transferrable method of assessing localized stakeholder priorities and translating that information into a format compatible with or comparable to products of existing coastal restoration decision-support tools for Louisiana. Through the Sci-TEK process, TEK is recorded in a natural, egalitarian setting and is converted into geographic information system (GIS) models that can facilitate incorporation into the existing restoration-planning process. This is achieved by using remote sensing, science-based data sets, and GIS to produce mapping products that represent the local fishers' and harvesters' TEK. The collaborative team developed a method for effective stakeholder engagement and a process for producing mapping products to aid in restoration location prioritization using information derived and prioritized with TEK. The current model of engagement via public meetings can generate extensive transcripts of public opinion, but it is limited in terms of scope and stakeholder representation. The information obtained with this model is also difficult to incorporate into the scientific toolbox used to make decisions about restoration. By mapping TEK we translated this knowledge into a usable data set layer that incorporates quality control and can be confidently used in combination with existing data sets. Moreover the researchers used the stakeholder engagement process to help address the general lack of understanding by physical scientists and managers/decision makers of the value of TEK, and to illustrate how this participatory process helps to bridge the communication gap that typically exists between scientists and traditional knowledge holders.

The outside reviewers of the Journal of Coastal Research (JCR) have generously donated their time to conduct the review process, which includes the thorough evaluation of manuscripts by providing comments and recommendations to the Editor-in-Chief concerning the ultimate disposition of submitted material. Because we frequently receive reviews from specialists outside of our own Editorial Board, we acknowledge with thanks the following reviewers who have vetted papers submitted to the JCR. Their interest and cooperation are much appreciated.