Summary
Research Reserve staff published two new manuals for monitoring: 1) Peatlands and 2) Invasive European Green Crab
Photo: Research Reserve staff and community partners collect peatland data.
Long-term monitoring accessible to all ages of the community drives our place-based science and education programs at Kachemak Bay Reserach Reserve. Recently, staff from the Reserve and the Alaska Center for Conservation Science, UAA worked with community partners and collaborative researchers to publish a “Tiered Manual for Peatland Monitoring in Alaska’s Kenai Lowlands” to improve our understanding of how peatlands are changing over time. The National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA) recently picked it up in a news post:
The Kachemak Bay Research Reserve in Alaska is leading a community-driven effort to monitor and protect the region’s vital peatlands, which support fish, wildlife, and carbon storage but face threats from a warming climate. By developing a long-term monitoring protocol with input from local organizations and scientists, the initiative ensures both scientific rigor and practical accessibility. Data on hydrology, vegetation, and carbon levels will aid conservation decisions, support research on beaver dam analogs, and contribute to carbon mapping efforts. This collaborative approach strengthens community awareness and helps safeguard Alaska’s peatlands for the future. Read the full article here.
Furthermore, the Alaska Invasive European Green Crab Community-Based Early Detection Monitoring Manual, a statewide-collaborative effort led by KBNERR, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership, was finalized last month. The manual provides detailed instructions on standardized early detection methods for invasive European green crabs. By using standard methods and data collection, people can produce valuable information about the impacts, invasion status, location, and relative abundance of EGC. The data is shared with decision makers and resource managers to elevate awareness and address the threat of EGC to Alaska’s coastal ecosystems and economies. Learn more about how to get involved.
Photo: Partners gather around KBNERR’s Harmful Species Coordinator, Jasmine Maurer, while checking traps during a European green crab ‘train-the-trainer’ workshop in August 2024 in Homer; a project funded by the NERR Science Collaborative.