Resource Type: Research Publications

Planning to adaptation: Informing Regional Nature-Based Adaptation to Improve Coastal Resiliency in Santa Monica Bay

This paper evaluates the process and provides recommendations for translating science to on-the-ground planning and adaptation efforts in coastal communities. Regionally, USC Sea Grant’s AdaptLA initiative works with coastal communities to communicate sea level rise science and provide managers with information and tools to assess vulnerabilities and begin to plan for adaptation. Informed by detailed,… Continue reading Planning to adaptation: Informing Regional Nature-Based Adaptation to Improve Coastal Resiliency in Santa Monica Bay

Effects of Elevated Sea Levels and Waves on Southern California Estuaries During the 2015–2016 El Niño

The 2015–2016 El Niño provided insight into how low-inflow estuaries might respond to future climate regimes, including high sea levels and more intense waves. High waves and water levels coupled with low rainfall along the Southern California coastline provided the opportunity to examine how extreme ocean forcing impacts estuaries independently from fluvial events. From November… Continue reading Effects of Elevated Sea Levels and Waves on Southern California Estuaries During the 2015–2016 El Niño

Aerial Surveys and Distribution Models Enable Monitoring of Fishing in Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas are rapidly becoming a central method for conservation of aquatic resources, but quantifying the success of these reserves in restricting fishing remains a challenge. Monitoring fishing has long been difficult – there are many types of fishers accessing resources in remote places from a diverse set of platforms (e.g., boat types). We… Continue reading Aerial Surveys and Distribution Models Enable Monitoring of Fishing in Marine Protected Areas

Return of Beach-Nesting Snowy Plovers to Los Angeles County Following a 68-Year Absence

(Abstract) From 1950 through 2016, the Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) did not nest on Los Angeles County beaches. But between 16 April and 21 May 2017, up to four pairs initiated five nests in Los Angeles County and one at a new site in Orange County. Between 12 May and 15 June 2017,… Continue reading Return of Beach-Nesting Snowy Plovers to Los Angeles County Following a 68-Year Absence

Seed Collection and Germination Strategies for Common Wetland and Coastal Sage Scrub Species in Southern California

There is a need for a consolidated source of information on native vegetation seed collection and germination strategies in southern California. Published literature on these methods is often experimental, species-specific, and widely scattered throughout online and print media. Planting and restoration strategies may need to be site-specific; however, similar methodological approaches are often utilized allowing… Continue reading Seed Collection and Germination Strategies for Common Wetland and Coastal Sage Scrub Species in Southern California

Urban Coast Volume 5, Issue 1 – Special Issue: State of the Bay – Dec 2015

The 2015 State of the Bay Report is a science-based comprehensive assessment of the Bay’s environmental condition. The Santa Monica Bay National Estuary Program (SMBNEP) periodically conducts and makes a report on this assessment, with the goal of measuring progress in restoring the Bay’s natural habitats and resources, educating the public about the Bay’s valuable… Continue reading Urban Coast Volume 5, Issue 1 – Special Issue: State of the Bay – Dec 2015

Stratification and Loading of Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) In A Tidally Muted Urban Salt Marsh

(Abstract) Stratification and loading of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) were assessed in the main tidal channel of the Ballona Wetlands, an urban salt marsh receiving muted tidal flows, to (1) determine FIB concentration versus loading within the water column at differing tidal flows, (2) identify associations of FIB with other water quality parameters, and (3)… Continue reading Stratification and Loading of Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) In A Tidally Muted Urban Salt Marsh

Urban Coast Volume 2, Issue 1 – Nov 2010

The Urban Coast multidisciplinary scientific journal is a peer-reviewed product of the Coastal Research Institute, a partnership of Loyola Marymount University’s Seaver College of Science and Engineering and The Bay Foundation.  Urban Coast provides a forum for researchers, agencies, advocacy groups, and other science and policy leaders to engage in constructive discussion and information exchange on issues that are pertinent to our… Continue reading Urban Coast Volume 2, Issue 1 – Nov 2010

Urban Coast Volume 1, Issue 1 – Nov 2009

The Urban Coast multidisciplinary scientific journal is a peer-reviewed product of the Coastal Research Institute, a partnership of Loyola Marymount University’s Seaver College of Science and Engineering and The Bay Foundation.  Urban Coast provides a forum for researchers, agencies, advocacy groups, and other science and policy leaders to engage in constructive discussion and information exchange on issues that are pertinent to our… Continue reading Urban Coast Volume 1, Issue 1 – Nov 2009