Engineer Research and Development Center - Environmental Laboratory

Risk and Decision Science Team

Planning Assistance to State: Project with Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, Martha’s Vineyard

DESCRIPTION

The ecosystem on Martha’s Vineyard water bodies is changing due to external pressures from climate change, development, and subsequent biodiversity disruptions that can cascade into other species. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks to support managers, planners, and Tribal members to best support their culturally important ecosystems to ensure that species remain abundant. This project requires data collection and analysis, of culturally significant ecosystem organisms including eelgrass growth, herring habitat suitability, and sea level rise. This project will gather existing data, identify, and fill data gaps, to characterize the system, its challenges, and its adaptation options.


Goal

  • Compile existing data and collect new data to establish the current conditions of the natural resources of interest and surrounding environment
  • Provide a more complete picture of current conditions and projections for the future
  • Produce actionable plans consisting of ongoing and future management decisions to support the maintenance and improvement of target natural resources