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Living with the Nearshore: Beaches, Seawalls and What lies in Between. Presented to. University of Washington Department of Landscape Architecture. Prepared by. Peter Hummel, ASLA, Anchor Environmental. May 13, 2005. Presentation Overview. Understanding the Nearshore
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Living with the Nearshore: Beaches, Seawalls and What lies in Between Presented to University of Washington Department of Landscape Architecture Prepared by Peter Hummel, ASLA, Anchor Environmental May 13, 2005
Presentation Overview • Understanding the Nearshore • Blending Human Uses with Habitat • Nearshore Project Examples • Summary-Key Questions • Questions and Discussion
Understanding the Nearshore • What is the Nearshore • Nearshore Physical Processes • Ecological Functions of the Nearshore • Location in the Landscape • Habitat Modifications and Effects
Understanding the Nearshore Source: King County Department of Natural Resources
Nearshore Physical Processes Source: http://meted.ucar.edu/marine/ripcurrents/NSF/print.htm
Understanding Waves Source: http://meted.ucar.edu/marine/ripcurrents/NSF/print.htm
Sediment Supply • Drift cell based • Sediment supply potential • none ● high • low ● exceptional • moderate • Sediment supply connectivity • none ● moderate • low ● high
Essential Functions of Nearshorefor Juvenile Salmon • Food Production • Predator Refuge • Physiological Refuge • High-energy Refuge • Migratory Corridor
Notes:* This attribute only applied for shoreline segments identified as having exceptional or high sediment supply potential Yellow text Habitat parameters that receive a weighting factor
Nearshore Habitat Modifications & Effects: Conceptual Model Impacts Controlling Factors HabitatStructures HabitatProcesses Juvenile Salmonid Needs • Shoreline modifications • Pollution • Depth • Substrate • Slope • Light • Salinity • Vegetation • Vegetation density • Vegetation biomass • Diversity • Patch size and shape • Landscape position • Production • Shading • Sediment flux • Nutrient flux • Food production • Predator Refuge • Physiological Refuge • Energy Refuge • Migratory Corridor Source: Williams and Thom (2001)
Blending Human Uses with Habitat • Habitat Perspective: • How Good and How Altered • Human Use Perspective: • Existing & Proposed Uses and Facilities • Space and Property Lines • Cost/Benefits • Feasibility: • Restoration Versus Enhancement of Specific Ecological Functions
Restoration Prioritization Site Features Habitat Opportunities Habitat Constraints Site Location Habitat Improvement Potential Landscape Considerations No Action- Conserve Site Park Use Constraints Park Use Opportunities Combined Improvement Potential Restoration Feasibility • Reach Restoration Priority • No Action- Conserve Site • High Priority • Medium Priority • Low Priority • No Action- Use Conflict Source: Seattle Parks Shoreline Inventory and Habitat Assessment
Restoration Example: Martha Washington Park Existing Conditions
Restoration Example: Seahurst Park • Microcosm of Puget Sound Shoreline Habitats • Habitat Forming Processes Restoration Opportunity • Shoreline and Park Master Plan
Shoreline Restoration Goals • Preserve existing functioning nearshore habitats • Remove existing shoreline protection structures • Model restored beach slopes and substrates after natural on-site and adjacent reference beaches • Replenish gravel and sand lost to bulkhead induced erosion • Restore and protect the natural hillside sediment delivery paths
Lower Beach Rock Removal Mid Project After Mid Project Before
Beach Monitoring Initial Results Beach Profiles: 1973, 2004, 2005 Beach Sediment Sample Source: Johannessen, Coastal Geologic Services, 2005
Required Biological Monitoring Pre-Project Initial Results Eelgrass Survey Forage Fish Monitoring
Desirable Biological Pre-Project Monitoring Initial Results Location Comparisons Epibenthic On-Site Sampling Source: Toft, UW Wetland Ecosystem Team, 2005
Restoration Example: Squalicum Waterway Existing Conditions