Barrier Island Habitat Mapping for the Louisiana Outer Coast Project
The USGS is collaborating with the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) to develop post-restoration barrier island habitat maps for three of the four components associated with the Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration Project
The Science Issue and Relevance: Barrier islands provide important habitat to numerous wildlife including shorebirds, migratory birds, and sea turtles. These islands are dynamic environments due to their position at the land-sea interface. Storms, wave energy, currents, and relative sea-level rise are powerful forces that shape barrier island geomorphology and habitats. The Louisiana barrier islands were impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration Project is a Phase III Early Restoration project funded by the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment to address some of the impacts to these systems. This project includes four components: Caillou Lake Headlands (also known as Whiskey Island), Chenier Ronquille, Shell Island – West, and North Breton Island. The overall goal of this project is to offset spill-related losses of habitat and birds through the restoration of beach, dune, and back-barrier marsh habitats. The Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration Project will enhance habitats for numerous birds including brown pelicans, terns, black skimmers, and gulls. Remote sensing provides a powerful tool for mapping and tracking changes to barrier island habitats over time. Specifically, remote sensing of barrier island habitats is needed to evaluate and document restoration efficacy as outlined in a monitoring plan that has been developed by the Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration Project.
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: The U.S. Geological Survey is collaborating with the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) to develop post-restoration barrier island habitat maps for three of the four components associated with the Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration Project: Caillou Lake Headlands, Chenier Ronquille, and Shell Island – West. Habitat maps will be developed for Caillou Lake Headlands for 2022 and 2026. For Chenier Ronquille, habitat maps will be developed for 2017, 2022, and 2026. Finally, habitat maps will be developed for Shell Island – West for 2022 and 2026. These maps will be produced using a semiautomated object-based image analysis approach that utilizes high-resolution aerial imagery.
Future Steps: Habitat maps will be published as U.S. Geological Survey data releases. These maps will assist with assessing restoration efficacy and whether triggers are met regarding the need for adaptive management of the restoration sites.
The USGS is collaborating with the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) to develop post-restoration barrier island habitat maps for three of the four components associated with the Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration Project
The Science Issue and Relevance: Barrier islands provide important habitat to numerous wildlife including shorebirds, migratory birds, and sea turtles. These islands are dynamic environments due to their position at the land-sea interface. Storms, wave energy, currents, and relative sea-level rise are powerful forces that shape barrier island geomorphology and habitats. The Louisiana barrier islands were impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration Project is a Phase III Early Restoration project funded by the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment to address some of the impacts to these systems. This project includes four components: Caillou Lake Headlands (also known as Whiskey Island), Chenier Ronquille, Shell Island – West, and North Breton Island. The overall goal of this project is to offset spill-related losses of habitat and birds through the restoration of beach, dune, and back-barrier marsh habitats. The Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration Project will enhance habitats for numerous birds including brown pelicans, terns, black skimmers, and gulls. Remote sensing provides a powerful tool for mapping and tracking changes to barrier island habitats over time. Specifically, remote sensing of barrier island habitats is needed to evaluate and document restoration efficacy as outlined in a monitoring plan that has been developed by the Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration Project.
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: The U.S. Geological Survey is collaborating with the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) to develop post-restoration barrier island habitat maps for three of the four components associated with the Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration Project: Caillou Lake Headlands, Chenier Ronquille, and Shell Island – West. Habitat maps will be developed for Caillou Lake Headlands for 2022 and 2026. For Chenier Ronquille, habitat maps will be developed for 2017, 2022, and 2026. Finally, habitat maps will be developed for Shell Island – West for 2022 and 2026. These maps will be produced using a semiautomated object-based image analysis approach that utilizes high-resolution aerial imagery.
Future Steps: Habitat maps will be published as U.S. Geological Survey data releases. These maps will assist with assessing restoration efficacy and whether triggers are met regarding the need for adaptive management of the restoration sites.