Integrating Ecological Forecasting into Environmental Education:
A Cooperative Oxford Laboratory Workshop for Environmental Educators“Engage your students by having them ask questions, acquire resources, explore data, analyze
information, and ultimately act upon this knowledge.”
Theme:The predictive capability of forecasting varies based upon the complexity of a parameter
or organism. The reliability of the forecast dictates whether it is most appropriate for use by resource
managers to assist with decision making or by scientists to guide additional research.
Topics:
- The research, science, and technology that go into creating ecological forecasts.
- The dissolved oxygen forecast and how it affects the Bay.
- Harmful algal blooms in the Potomac River.
- Expert assessments and field observations that determine the aquatic grasses forecast.
- Implications of the summer forecast on the Bay’s fisheries.
Presenters:
- Ben Longstaff, EcoCheck (NOAA-UMCES Partnership)
- David Jasinski, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science/Chesapeake Bay Program
- Peter Tango, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
- Peter Bergstrom, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office
- Howard Townsend, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office/Cooperative Oxford Laboratory
The Workshop's ContentIntroduction to Ecological Forecasting: Ben Longstaff
Dissolved Oxygen: Dave Jasinski
Harmful Algal Blooms: Peter Tango>
Submerged Aquatic Grasses: Peter Bergstrom>
Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Modeling: Howard Townsend>
Workshop Activity
- Dissolved oxygen experiment
Additional Workshop ResourcesResources on Ecological Forecasting
Chesapeake EcoCheck: Assessing and Forecasting Ecosystem Status 
NOAA National Ocean Service: Ecological Forecasting
Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR) EcoForecasting Program
Science@NASA: Ecological Forecasting
USGS Ecological Forecasting: A Strategic Partnership to Predict and Manage Biological Invasions
Resources on Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved Oxygen: Supporting Life in the Bay
Volumetric Interpolated - Compare Dissolved Oxygen, Salinity and Water Temperature
Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Current Conditions
Resources on Harmful Algal Blooms
The Southeast Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (SEPMN)
Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algae Blooms (ECOHAB)
Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms (MERHAB)
Cyanobacteria in the Baltic Sea
Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Bloom Forecasting
Resources on Submerged Aquatic Grasses
Background and General SAV Information
Bay Grasses (SAV) in Chesapeake Bay and Delmarva Peninsula Coastal Bays VIMS SAV Survey - SAV Monitoring Project Report
Bay Grasses Identification Key
SAV Education – Dr. Laura Murray
Bay Grasses in Classes – Field Experience
Additional Partner ResourcesIntegration and Application Network (IAN)
Chesapeake Academic Resources for Teachers (ChART)
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia
Maryland Eyes on the Bay
National Ocean Service (NOS) Education Estuary Discovery Kit
National Estuarine Research Reserve System Education>
Data Management Office website
National Estuary Program Games and Activities about Estuaries
Estuary LIVE
Funding InformationB-WET Fact Sheet 
Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant Information
Supporting DocumentsMWEE Fact Sheet
Chesapeake Bay 2006 Report Card