Browsing by Subject "Albemarle-Pamlico"

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Open Access
A Rapid Assessment Protocol for the Identification of Invasive Species in the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary
(2013-04-26) Diaz, Martha
The Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System (APES) is the second largest estuary in the continental U.S. comprising 3,000 square miles of open water and a wide variety of physical and chemical characteristics. These characteristics allow for a highly diverse community composition, but also make APES a favorable host for the settlement and propagation of invasive species. In an effort to gain information regarding the invasive species already existing in APES, the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership would like to conduct an annual rapid assessment survey of the estuary. This rapid assessment protocol outlines suggested sampling sites within brackish and saline areas of the estuary for fouling, intertidal and benthic habitats. In addition, a directory of potential samplers, field forms, a sample database, and a trip budget were developed as part of this protocol.
Open Access
Assessment of a Regional Community and Conservation Collaborative: The AP3C
(2010-04-29T02:09:42Z) Adams, Emily
The Albemarle-Pamlico region of North Carolina has a unique environmental and social history with vast natural resources. In 2006, several conservation and community groups formed the Albemarle-Pamlico Conservation and Communities Collaborative (AP3C) to protect the region’s natural resources while providing economic opportunities. Since its formation, the group has struggled to create an organizational structure and many members are dissatisfied with its lack of progress. Using individual interviews, this report identifies strengths of the group and region the AP3C can use to achieve its vision, challenges the group must address, and a common vision of the Albemarle-Pamlico region and of the AP3C. From this information, I identified three strategic questions for the steering committee to undertake: 1. What is the AP3C’s mission? 2. Who should be on the Steering Committee? 3. How can the AP3C market itself to potential participants, stakeholders, and members? I recommend using a consensus-based approach to answer these questions.
Open Access
Governance Recommendations for the Implementation of Ecosystem-Based Management within the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership
(2013-04-25) Pool, Taylor; Page, Jordan; Menaquale, Andrew
The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP) is an estuarine management program operating from within the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources with financial support from USEPA. The program area extends across most of the Albemarle-Pamlico watershed, including a large portion of southern Virginia. Recently, APNEP has revised its management plan to implement an Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) strategy that takes a multimodal approach to conservation. In this report, we use case studies of other individual state, bi-state, regional, and international conservation partnerships to produce a set of objectives for APNEP to increase its institutional ability to implement EBM goals throughout its program area. Findings include recommendations and advice to: (a) establish mechanisms of accountability for essential management organizations; (b) develop EBM agendas for specific agencies; (c) establish priority management areas; (d) expand APNEP’s program area to include the entire Roanoke River Basin; (e) expand cooperative GIS mapping capability between NC and VA; (f) update and renew the MOA between NC and VA agencies for cooperative regional conservation management; and, (g) address the possible relocation of the APNEP office from a state agency.
Open Access
Identifying Pollution Sources for Management Prioritization in the Albemarle-Pamlico Watersheds
(2019-04-25) Hillman, Isabel
The Albemarle-Chowan, Roanoke, and Tar-Pamlico watersheds have displayed degradation in water quality in recent history. To address concerns about the effects of poor water quality, the North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is interested in identifying where nutrients are concentrated across the landscape, and identifying the best management practices (BMP’s) available to address pollutants. To find where pollutant levels are highest, we used InVEST and SPARROW models, and converted raw outputs into hot spots, providing a smaller region for The Nature Conservancy to focus management actions. Within the agriculturally dominated hot spots, we identified 4 best management practices, riparian buffers, cover crops, ditch retention structures, and peatland restoration, as implementation options available to TNC. Scenarios run within InVEST models for each best management practice quantified the scope of action needed and estimated the reduction in nutrient concentrations from implementation. The results of these scenarios showed that TNC will have to address tradeoffs between efficiency and overall impact from best management practices. For example, cover crops were found to be the least efficient at removing nitrogen per acre, but due to the large amount of land available to plant cover crops on, this BMP has the largest potential for reducing nitrogen overall. To aid TNC in finding landowners to approach about using BMP’s, we ran a parcel prioritization, and identified landowners with large parcels containing large amounts of agriculture, peatland, and close to land that is already protected. The results of these analyses will help inform TNC staff as they take steps to improve water quality in the Albemarle-Pamlico region.