gomcon 2024

Numerous applications and data portals catalog Gulf monitoring and restoration data. These existing analyses and tools are effective, but synthesized and easily accessible data are also needed to support decision-making and foster trans-disciplinary research. This topic will focus on lessons learned from existing efforts, data management challenges, and opportunities to develop a more efficient data management framework.

Example session proposals:

• Data synthesis, data integration, and data display efforts
• Difficulties in compiling data and publishing synthesis concepts

The ever-evolving science communication, education, and extension landscape lets us reimagine effective methods of collaboration and outreach. This topic will focus on innovative methods and best practices that reinforce engagement with target audiences, particularly those who are underrepresented in science and decision-making.

Example session proposals:

• Innovative technologies
• Citizen science research
• Building trust
• Education opportunities that serve the whole community
• Virtual learning
• Innovative engagement (e.g. social media, art)

Water quality patterns and trends in the Gulf are highly variable in space and time. Human activities and natural disturbances affect water resources and change physical, chemical, and biological conditions. Session proposals should highlight science, monitoring, data management, or related resource management challenges associated with water quality or quantity.

Example session proposals:

• Freshwater flow
• Coastal inundation and flooding
• Sediment and nutrient loads
• Harmful algal blooms
• Hypoxic events
• Impacts to living resources

Effective habitat management and restoration are critical to sustaining the Gulf’s resources. Critical habitat-related needs include: addressing threats, developing indicators of restoration and management success, and understanding the history and future of restoration in the Gulf. Session proposals can focus on habitats and ecosystems from coastal zone uplands to the deep benthic.

Example session proposals:

• Habitat and ecosystem restoration
• Indicators of restoration success
• Ecological thresholds and targets
• Restoration in a changing climate
• Living shorelines
• Monitoring, mapping, and modeling
• Oil spill impacts on habitat
• Integrated Ecosystem Assessments
• Marine Protected Areas

Management of living resources is complicated by insufficient data on biology, ecology, and poorly-understood vulnerability to threats and stressors. Session proposals should provide information on species or their responses to stressors that are needed to correctly guide management and policy decisions.

Example session proposals:

• Wildlife and fisheries research
• Wildlife and fisheries management
• Population trends, life history, and other processes
• Impacts and management of natural and man-made stressors

Sound science is needed to develop integrated strategies that support regional planning, adaptive management, and effective decision-making. At the same time, the scientific community must understand the needs of stakeholders and how science informs decisions and practices. Session proposals should highlight the nexus between science, policy, decision-making, and improved management.

Example session proposals:

• Connections between research, monitoring, and adaptive management
• Bridging science to policy-making
• Energy planning
• Co-production of knowledge with stakeholder communities

The Gulf of Mexico is vulnerable to climate impacts that worsen stresses on coastal ecosystems and communities. Session proposals should explore science and research needed to prepare for climate impacts and implement climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience strategies. Session proposals can focus on a range of climate impacts such as ocean acidification, extreme temperatures, sea level rise, and increased storm frequency/intensity.

Example session proposals:

• Modeling climate scenarios
• Integrating climate models into monitoring and resource management
• Blue carbon
• Climate policy
• Impacts on disproportionally affected communities

Scientists and resource managers must continue to study, understand, and address emerging environmental shifts to ensure effective integrative planning and management. Session proposals should focus on research, management, and response topics not covered in other sessions.

Example session proposals:

• Offshore energy
• Nearshore and open ocean aquaculture
• Challenges associated with artificial reefs
• Marine debris
• Innovative technologies
• Proactive measures