National Park Service Grant: Monitoring Ocean Acidification Effects on Plankton in Glacier Bay

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Serviceâ¿¿s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement Number P16AC00500
Project Title Assessing the Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Plankton Populations in Glacier Bay
Recipient University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Principal Investigator:
Russell Hopcroft, Ph.D.
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
University of Alaska-Fairbanks
120 Oâ¿¿Neill Building
P.O. Box 757220
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220
Phone: 907-474-7842
Email: rrhopcroft@alaska

Program Manager:
Lewis Sharman
Ecologist
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 140
Gustavus, AK 99826
Phone: 907-697-2623
Email: lewis_sharman@nps.gov
Total Anticipated Award Amount $267,645
Cost Share None
New Award or Continuation? Continuation
Anticipated Period of Performance 08/15/2015 â¿¿ 08/14/2020

Award Instrument CESU Agreement
Statutory Authority 54USC§100703 Cooperative Studies Units
54USC§101702 (a) Cooperative Agreements, Transfer of Service Appropriated Funds
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research and Training Programs â¿¿ Resources of the National Park System, Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units Network
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited None â¿¿ Not required
NPS ATR Point of Contact Lewis Sharman
Ecologist
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 140
Gustavus, Alaska 99826
Phone: 907-697-2623
Fax: 907-697-2654
Email: lewis_sharman@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Component 1 – OA Field/Laboratory Program
A recent study completed in Glacier Bay (Reisdorph and Mathis 2014) showed that ocean acidification has already had a significant effect on the water chemistry of the bay and project show that the intensity, duration and extent of ocean acidification evens will be exacerbated in the next few decades. It is now time to take the next step in our understanding and quantify the impacts that the changes in carbonate chemistry are having on zooplankton populations, which are a critical component of the Glacier Bay marine food web. With the information provided by this second phase of this project, managers will have a much better understanding of the risks associated with this known threat. Although the threat is real and known, the character and magnitude of impact remain poorly understood. This project will resolve many of the key uncertainties for Glacier Bay; it will complement and enhance similar studies currently occurring in the Gulf of Alaska, arctic, and subarctic waters; and it will significantly increase understanding of glacial fjord systems globally. Although the study cannot diminish or remove the threat, it can provide valuable insights into the dynamic processes of Glacier Bay, and thereby inform our understanding of key ecosystem drivers and stressors. It will thus provide a more robust and holistic scientific backdrop to Glacier Bayâ¿¿s local management decisions that influence impacts to the same resources that are being impacted by ocean acidification.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

As with many manifestations of climate change, ocean acidification as an ongoing process is so extensive and has such momentum as to severely constrain managersâ¿¿ ability to halt or reverse its effects within near-term timescales. Nevertheless, a critical element of minimizing its impacts on ecosystems and society is to educate the public about how the process works, its influences on resources and opportunities that they care about, and how those effects can be mitigated. This research project will provide information to elucidate all these, and park interpreters and educators will actively share those results with park visitors, students, and the general public.

Under the leadership of the Principal Investigators (with expertise in ocean acidification research and zooplankton/marine food webs), we will partner with other key UAF research staff and a graduate (M.S.) student. Proposed seawater and zooplankton samples will be collected on four regularly-scheduled hydrographic monitoring cruises (presently conducted by GLBA and Southeast Alaska Network (SEAN) inventory and monitoring staff under the Oceanography Vital Sign); no additional ship days will be required, and samples will be collected quickly and with little additional cost or impact to normal cruise operations. The sampling design proposes two years of sampling on four regularly-scheduled monitoring cruises in Years 1 and 2 (8 total cruises to cover all four seasons across 2 years), with a data synthesis in Year 3. With funding for a masters-level graduate student, a published thesis will result; peer-reviewed journal articles will likely also be produced.

Each year the PIs will deliver a detailed report and data to the NPS, both of which will be made broadly available via web-based distribution. This annual report will outline the major findings of all field work in the previous year and compare new results to historical datasets to better understand the local and regional trends in ocean acidification and its impacts on zooplankton species and marine food webs. Data collected from Glacier Bay will be evaluated in the contexts of both the local dynamics of this unique glacial fjord system, and their broader connections to waters and processes observed in other areas of the North Pacific.

Key project components include:
â¿¢ Water column analyses of carbonate cycle parameters (dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity) for the calculation of pH and carbonate mineral saturation states; net tows for the collection of zooplankton species to determine seasonal stock distributions and water chemistry impacts on species; analyses of inorganic nutrients and chlorophyll-a to provide biogeochemical context.
â¿¢ Years 1-2: Water sampling by UAF graduate student on four cruises (March, July, September, and December/January).
o 6 depths at 7 stations on four cruises.
â¿¢ Year 3: Synthesis of carbonate and zooplankton data to determine at what depths and/or seasons zooplankton populations show impacts of ocean acidification.
o Presentation of results at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium. Publication of M.S. thesis and peer-reviewed journal article.

In addition to the technical project reports and presentations, two additional key NPS-centric deliverables will be produced. The first is a brief (two-page) issue and project summary suitable for distribution to non-scientists and the general public. The second is a more detailed project summary article submitted to the NPS publication Alaska Park Science or Park Science upon project completion.

Component 2 – Conceptual Model Development
A related critical project component involves developing a systems thinking-based approach to a conceptual model of ocean acidification. This model will focus on trophic linkages between nearshore coastal biological communities and nearshore coastal dynamics, with particular consideration of the physio-chemical characteristics and biology found in Alaskan national parks. The model will be broadly applicable to Alaskan coastal park units, with the primary purpose being to enable resource managers to identify components of their coastal systems that will benefit the most from additional understanding of the impacts of ocean acidification on their resources.

The deliverable for this project component will be a digital file containing 1) the conceptual model visualization, and 2) the associated detailed written description. As described above, the ocean acidification model will focus on trophic linkages between nearshore coastal biological communities and nearshore coastal dynamics, with particular consideration of the physio-chemical characteristics and biology found in Alaskan national parks.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

1. Collaboratively undertake a project titled ⿿Assessing the Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Plankton Populations in Glacier Bay⿝ as described in the Task Agreement.
2. Appoint a graduate student (name TBD) to work on the project.
3. Participate (graduate student) directly in regularly-scheduled fall, mid-winter, spring, and mid-summer oceanographic surveys, sampling seawater and plankton from discrete depths at ⿿core stations⿝ as described in the Task Agreement.
4. Provide (except for the CTD and associated SBE 55 ECO water sampler) sampling equipment (e.g., plankton net) and field supplies necessary to conduct the project.
5. Provide for shipping of equipment, supplies, and samples to and from Glacier Bay.
6. Provide for laboratory analyses of seawater (chemical) and zooplankton (biological) samples as described in the Task Agreement.
7. Integrate the results of seawater chemical analyses and zooplankton biological analyses to determine patterns in the biological response to seawater conditions. Provide to the NPS an annual report (the IAR referenced below) outlining major findings and comparing results to historical datasets to better understand local and regional trends in ocean acidification and its impact(s) on zooplankton species/ populations and marine food webs. Data will be evaluated in the contexts of both the dynamics of this unique glacial fjord system and its connection to larger waters and processes observed in other areas of the North Pacific.
8. Provide a final major synthesis of the above, in the form of a M.S. graduate thesis. Additionally provide the following: 1) a presentation of the project at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium; 2) at least one peer-reviewed journal article; 3) required once-yearly Investigator⿿s Annual Reports (IARs); 4) a brief (two-page) ⿿Research Highlight⿝ summary of the project suitable for distribution to non-scientists and the general public; 5) a comprehensive NPS-published Natural Resources Report (NRR); and 6) an article submitted to one or both of the NPS publications Park Science or Alaska Park Science.
9. Develop a conceptual model of ocean acidification focusing on trophic linkages between nearshore coastal biological communities and nearshore coastal dynamics, with particular consideration of the physio-chemical characteristics and biology found in Alaskan national parks, as described in the Task Agreement. The model will take the form of a digital file containing the conceptual model visualization and the associated detailed written description. This conceptual model will be described in a standalone Research Highlight (see above). Additionally, it will be incorporated in the above-referenced IARs, NRR, and Park Science/Alaska Park Science publication(s). Alternatively, the model can be presented in standalone IARs/NRR/NPS Park Science publications.
10. While present in the park, provide at least one oral presentation of updated project plans and results to park staff and/or park visitors(s) annually.
11. Ensure that all products (presentations, reports, papers) acknowledge NPS support and that the project was conducted through the Alaska CESU and reference this Task Agreement number.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

Substantial Involvement on the part of the National Park Service is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, the National Park Service will be responsible for the following:

1. Provide financial assistance to UAF as indicated in Attachment B to the Task Agreement.
2. Work collaboratively with UAF to review, evaluate, and adapt project progress and goals.
3. Provide vessel, fuel, associated equipment, and operator, and oversee gear deployment, for field sampling.
4. Provide CTD/water sampler and laptop computer (for programming/data upload) for field sampling.
5. Provide local area logistical support, as necessary, for extended stays due to unanticipated survey delays.
6. Provide oceanographic and other data as requested to support the project.
7. Provide planning for field activities to support the project.
8. Provide, as requested and in a timely fashion, input/feedback on draft reports and the conceptual model (particularly with regard to coastal resources and applicability of the model to coastal management applications).

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SINGLE-SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.

In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

(1) Unsolicited Proposal â¿¿ The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;

(2) Continuation â¿¿ The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity;

(3) Legislative intent â¿¿ The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congressâ¿¿ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;

(4) Unique Qualifications â¿¿ The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;

(5) Emergencies â¿¿ Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

The National Park Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria: This is a CESU task agreement and as such, has already been competed. Regardless, this is a continuation of the original project with synopsis number: P15AS01037.