APPENDIX II

Participants
Agenda
Report
Contributions
References

LOICZ/UNEP Regional Synthesis Thematic Workshop

for the Americas region
Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanologicas
Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Ensenada, Mexico
29 April – 2 May 2001

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Appendix IIA:

Workshop Participants

LOICZ/UNEP Regional Synthesis Thematic Workshop
for the Americas Region
Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanologicas
Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Ensenada, Mexico
29 April – 2 May 2001.

Resource People

Local Host

Regional Participants

MEXICO

ARGENTINA

CHILE

BRAZIL

USA

CANADA

GERMANY

Secretariat

Appendix IIB:
Participants
Agenda
Report
Contributions
References

Workshop Agenda

LOICZ/UNEP Regional Synthesis Thematic Workshop
for the Americas Region

Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanologicas
Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Ensenada, Mexico
29 April – 2 May 2001

Summary of Objectives and Products:

Each participant will:

• Gain conceptual and operational familiarity with CZ typology applications
• Produce at least one product using the approach in their area of expertise
• Contribute to common efforts to evaluate and improve both products and process

LOICZ will:

• Gain further experience with intra- and inter-regional comparisons
• Incorporate findings and recommendations into products and activities
• Distribute results to participants and others
• Build on local/regional expertise to move toward the global synthesis

Schedule

April 29: (am) Plenary Session

Introductory, overview and tutorial presentations:

(note: presentations will be brief, informal, and interactive)

·         Welcome, introductions, local arrangements – Victor Camacho-Ibar
·         IGBP-LOICZ introduction – Chris Crossland
·         Coastal Biogeochemical fluxes and budgets – Steve Smith
·         Typology overview – Bob Buddemeier
·         Clustering and LOICZVIEW – Bruce Maxwell/Casey Smith
·         Example: Classifying river basin influence on the coast – Casey McLaughlin

Review of pre-workshop tests, outcomes, questions (participant discussion).
Refinement of workshop strategy; development of teams and assignments.

               (pm) Breakout work

Teams of participants and resource people address specific subsets of issues and techniques.  Emphasis on classification, calibration, mastering technique.

April 30: (am) Continue breakouts

Midday plenary -- evaluate progress, share experiences and interim results, shift activity emphasis to budget classification and extrapolation
(pm) Resume breakouts

May 1:    (am) Continue breakouts – consideration of synthesis

Midday plenary presentation:  Prof. Gerard Szewach, IGBP-DIS:

The Earth System Atlas

(pm) Resume breakouts start on product definition, setup.

May 2:(am) Assisted breakouts – resource advisors work with participants to coordinate synthesis activities, final preparations of products.

CD master produced at noon/early pm for duplication and distribution

               (pm) Plenary synthesis – overview, participant products, follow-up plans
               Meeting closure

May 4:   Departure.

Postworkshop:

ca. May 15 -- all electronic products edited, summarized/explained, and posted to website.  Preparation of workshop report for CD and print LOICZ R&S series.  Pre-workshop cycle begins for #3.

Appendix IIC:      
Participants
Agenda
Report
Contributions
References      

Workshop Report

LOICZ/UNEP Regional Synthesis Thematic Workshop
for the Americas Region
Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanologicas
Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Ensenada, Mexico
29 April – 2 May 2001

Welcome

Participants were welcomed to the Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanologicas, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico by Dr Victor Camarcho and coordination details were provided.  Support arrangements and the purpose of the workshop were outlined by the workshop leader, Dr Robert Buddemeier.  Participants were introduced, the agenda was confirmed and working documents were reviewed.

An overview of LOICZ was presented by Dr Chris Crossland, as a context for the biogeochemical budgets assessments and the typological goals of the workshop.  The status of the LOICZ biogeochemical budgets development and the approach was provided by Prof. Stephen Smith, noting the global geographical spread, some emerging trends and the recent commencement of “synthesis” process within LOICZ.  The results from a small-group, Latin American region budgeting workshop held immediately prior to this typology workshop, were placed into the context of the LOICZ global assessment.

Introduction

An introduction to the LOICZ UNEP project and the LOICZ typology approach for interpolation of data was provided by Dr Robert Buddemeier.  While the typology tool has a number of applications, its relevance to the LOICZ initiatives involving global up-scaling of local assessment and evaluation of nutrient biogeochemical budget models data were identified as a primary objective for LOICZ.  The application to the Americas region was central to the theme and action of the workshop, recognising that activities would be addressing a range of scales, regions and sub-regions, and global scale trials of data cluster analysis.  The workshop was placed in the context of the three global region thematic workshops arranged for the LOICZ-UNEP project and the final global synthesis workshop which will aim to build a global picture of C-N-P fluxes in coastal systems.  Additional and wider applications were considered both within LOICZ and more widely to meet participant research and interests with application to LOICZ.  The LOICZ typology software and tools provide a unique method for scaling and to achieve the global assessment goals of LOICZ. 

Tutorials

LOICZView

Dr Bruce Maxwell described the clustering tool in detail and the various sections of operation were discussed, including:

Data and data variables

Processing (including selection of distance calculation and statistics)

Visualisation and options

Downloading, data format and statistical assessment of clusters, and file and image storage.

Recent advances in access to and utility of the LOICZView tool were demonstrated, including the ability to plot and visualise relationships between variables, filter capabilities for variables, overlay and dual classification comparisons, and new cluster summary elements.

LOICZ Typology Database

Dr Robert Buddemeier outlined the current database that is maintained at the University of Kansas.  It is derived from existing global datasets fitted to 0.5 degree coastal pixels represented in the LOICZ global cell array.  This has been developed from an earlier one-degree pixel representation.  More than 180,000 Mbytes of information is contained as a table in an ORACLE base system which provides for uploading of selected variables (and scale) into the LOICZView clustering tool. 

The database and system structure were described, including the process of addressing and using the database interrogation tool, selection of variables and their metadata provenance and information, and linkage to other developmental datasets – for example, the IGBP BAHC coastal basins data and model outputs.

Utility of the database directly and linked to the LOICZView typology clustering tool were outlined, noting the linkage recently developed for “cold fusion” between the two elements.

Tutorial presentation provided opportunity for participants to step through the variable selection, and familiarise themselves with the database structure

It was noted that the LOICZView internet site offers a set of trial data as well as an opportunity to upload from the LOICZ dataset site or to import self-generated geospatially-referenced data.

Tasks and Typologies Development

Participants carried out trials with the databases and clustering tool, developing familiarity with the application system in consultation with the workshop resource people.  A number of tasks for application and development of the typology methodology were noted by participants.

Break-out groups (2-3 participants) and individuals worked interactively during days 2-4 on the development of different typologies, supplemented with methodological and problem/project tutorials and discussions.  Daily plenary sessions addressed, inter alia, shortfalls in variable capabilities, methods upgrades incorporated into the tools, and product and document handling options

Discussion of problems and methods upgrades.

Discussions throughout the workshop covered a range of issues and problems that came to light with the databases, clustering actions, and saving and working with image outputs and statistics of cluster evaluations.  Amendments were made to the database and clustering tools as new methodological improvements were made during the workshop, including:

Development of a supervised clustering facility,

Refining the world map database access point to allow auto-selection of east or west coasts of the Americas,

Revised Cluster Summary page for text comments and archiving of data, and

Refinement and evaluation of biogeochemical budgets database and assessment of approaches and options for typological assessment.

Plenary presentations

Two plenary presentations provided points for discussion and potential application of the typology products.

The prototype Earth System Atlas being developed within IGBP was outlined by Prof. Gerard Szejwach.  The opportunity for inclusion of LOICZ typologies was highlighted.  Participants looked forward to close collaboration between the researchers working on the Atlas initiative and those involved in the typology developments within LOICZ, at both global and regional scales.

Presentation of Developed Typologies

The task outcomes were summarized and constructive comments made on the utility of the databases and analytical techniques contained in the typology suite (Table V-1).

Table V-1.   Participant Contributions.
Participants
Agenda
Report
Contributions
References

1.         Biogeochemical budgets: Spreadsheets and metadata (Dennis Swaney)

2                    Typological and biogeochemical budgets assessment approaches (Dennis Swaney et al.)

Work on resolving linkages between and approaches for analyses of biogeochemical datasets and typology variables scales was addresses as a core LOICZ project activity.  A trial was made of combining ARCView and LOICZView methods, in which remote sensing methods were combined with existing biogeochemical data for “banding” of data using the clustering technique.  Principal component analysis of delta-DIP and delta-DIN was applied with continuous grouping analyses and inspection.  Derived delta-DIN data refined by delta-DIP assessment yielded about 40 clusters for the global coastal region.  These clusters accounted for 99.5% of the cells.  A supervised clustering approach is to be tried.

3.                   Classification variables for C-N-P inputs (Dr Lechuga et al.)

Initial case evaluation of Mexican coasts spatially relating land use and C, N, P inputs.  Seven clusters were developed that represented the Mexican coasts based on variables that acted as proxies for run-off, coastal geomorphology and C, N, P inputs.  Expert judgement suggested that the resultant clusters were generally sound although there was some variability.  Improved database of N and P variables (currently N is at first trial level in database) may improve the outcome.  Attempted global classification with addition of sea surface temperature variable yielded a preliminary global description with 12 clusters; further evaluation is required.

4                     Global classification for biogeochemical budget assessment: inputs and exchange processes (Paul Boudreau).

Trial of Database variable and LOICZView tools showed basin runoff was a key variable for global classification.  Runoff, population per basin and an exchange proxy (area of water per cell x tidal range) yielded a preliminary classification identifying big cities (anthropogenic inputs), isolated large river flows and high horizontal heterogeneity.  The exchange rate proxy needs further development for better association of exchange rate and pixel characteristic; depth/tidal range may prove useful.  Generally the results were judged OK outside the tropics.  Initial efforts with population density and cropland yielded a large class that is considered worth further work to tease out tropical discriminates.

5.         Comparison of classifications and physiographic parameters - Brazil (Dr Marone et al.).

Recent coastal analysis of E and NE Brazilian coast has shown 4 distinct geomorphic regions along 7700km of coastline and five geographical regions.  An array of 31 database variables was tested with LOICZView; coupled terrestrial-oceanic variables yielded 4 typological regions, similar to the expert classification.  Application of the coastal cells only provided similar output.  The 31 variables were refined to 6 variables with maintenance of cluster output.  Sub-regional cluster analyses were tried with the 31 variables and confirmed earlier expert typology from down-scaling.  The system seems robust but runoff and tidal data are not dependable due to some erroneous data cells.  Finer-scale geographical nesting trials indicate a diminished explicitness with the half-degree resolution database.

6.         Classification of carbonate shelves (Drs Kleypas and Szejwach).

Trials with selected variable and tools (use of filters) yielded a classification that discriminated coral reef elements of coastal shelves in the wider Caribbean area.  Application of the clusters to the Australia region showed that there is a much wider range of clusters needed to be developed to resolve the tropical carbonate coastal environment of the southern continent.  The potential to use principal component analysis or Eigen vectors in development of applicable datasets was discussed. 

7.                   Coral reefs classification (Dr Carriquiry)

An array of variables for atmospheric, geomorphic and coastal parameters was systematically explored ending with five variables (bathymetry, sea surface temperature, salinity, runoff) and five clusters to classify the eastern tropical Pacific and Caribbean coral reefs; Pacific reefs were differentiated from those of the Caribbean.  The Yucatan Peninsula and the Florida Keys proved variant from expert judgement, although the overall fit was OK.  The same variables, though with differential weightings, were applied to the wider Pacific region and gave an apparently useful classification of South East Asia-Pacific-Caribbean coral reefs.  Bathymetry and runoff variables showed some important discriminatory powers, brought out by weightings.  A proxy for water clarity/turbidity was considered to be of potential advantage.

8.                   Discriminating oceanic and climatic values – Peru-Chile coast (Prof. Ahumada and Dr Farias).

Two themes were addressed: i) evaluation of coastal processes across the Peru (10-30^oS), Chile (30-40^oS) and Patagonia (40^o+S) regions, and ii) discrimination between upwelling and El Nino conditions.  Five clusters gave reasonable representation with ocean, coastal and land typologies.  Ocean I data masked the coastal data cells due to upwelling intensity.  The cluster method worked well but there is need for finer resolution data to evaluate the known variance in the region, though global scale evaluation appears OK.

9.         Identifying variables to discriminate groundwater and karst regions – Caribbean and Florida (Dr Herrera)

Used a sediment approach then a hydrological approach.  Percentage carbonate in soils was not a useful discriminator.  Obtained a useful set of cluster arrays and applied elevation and bathymetry, that yielded a clustering akin to coral reef areas.  Pixel size is too coarse to finely resolve karst structure scale and refined database on coastal SST/salinity may improve the typology solution.  The supervised clustering tool was tested; changing the standard deviation yielded different typologies that need further interpretation.  The supervised clustering tool held good promise for use in up-scaling from regional to global assessment.

10.        Impact of freshwater on coastal estuaries – Atlantic South America (Dr Marcovecchio)

Inspected and trialled an array of relevant variables in 5 experiments.  Some successful typologies were developed that characterised the freshwater inputs and yielded clear clusters that well-fitted expert judgement for the region.

11.        Mangrove distribution – Caribbean (Dr Rivera and Prof. Twilley)

12.               Elevation and runoff to mangrove systems – south Caribbean (Dr Rivera)

Utilised coastal cells and selected proxies for mangrove locations (e.g., frost days, sea temperature- min, sea temperature-inter-annual).  Caribbean outcomes fitted expert assessment but the classification derived for the southern US tropics yield up to 20% variance from expert judgement.  Global application of the clusters did not match well in Africa and Australia; it was suggested that an additional integrative variable such as evapo-transpiration would have value (now being developed by Casey McLachlin).

Preliminary work was done to derive a productivity setting and classification for the Magdalena River, Colombia.  Trial of variable (e.g., elevation) and various LOICZView tools were carried out – overlapping, selection of filter, archetype point evaluations.  A need for improved user-descriptions of the tools was noted.

13.        Estuarine classification and biogeochemical budget estimates (Profs. Kemp and Twilley)

A preliminary cluster analysis of coastal and estuarine sites yielded a classification of the continental US.  This formed a basis for identifying about 35 potential systems for which nutrient budgets could be developed (studies and data probably exist) to provide a basis for comparison between regional estuarine performance – notably comparison of east and west coast systems.  This work is expected to be followed up in association with an up-coming ERF conference and to contribute to the LOICZ enterprise.

13.               Delta DIP means and weighting by typology (Vilma Dupra and Dr Camacho)

A comparison was made between simple averages and weighted means for delta-DIP.  Delta DIP values (omitting several outlier system values) were used with different variables and evaluated as 5 and 10 clusters to assess the percentage incorporation of values in each cluster.  A preliminary trial for delta-DIP trends (DIP_sys vs DIP_ocean) using proxy variables was carried out.  For example, DIP retention in a system will be a function of –Vr/Vx, where Vx in turn will be some function of tide range/depth.

Outcomes and Wrap-up

Typologies were developed to interim draft stage of completion during the workshop; text additions and checks on data sources were required for subsequent completion of most tasks.  A schedule for contribution of final documents, report and publication, along with the process for review and editing was agreed, noting that hard-copy reports, web-posting and CD-ROM products are planned.

A CD-ROM of workshop databases, materials and developed typologies was prepared and distributed to all workshop participants as an interim product and for further use by participants.

Members of the Project steering committee met informally during the workshop to plan content and programs for later workshops under the LOICZ UNEP project, and to review and finalise arrangements for preparation and publication of tutorial materials.

The participants joined with LOICZ in expressing thanks to Dr Victor Camacho-Ibar and assistants for their preparation and support throughout the workshop, and to the UABC for hosting of the workshop in Ensenada.  The financial support of the Global Environmental Facility was gratefully acknowledged for regional participant attendance; LOICZ supported attendance of participants from non-GEF eligible countries.

Appendix IID:       
Participants
Agenda
Report
Contributions
References    

Terms of Reference

LOICZ/UNEP Regional Synthesis Thematic Workshop
for the Americas Region
Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanologicas
Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Ensenada, Mexico
29 April – 2 May 2001

Background Information:

A major overall objective of LOICZ (http://www.nioz.nl/loicz/) and the facilitating UNEP GEF project is to provide an assessment of uptake and release of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) in the global coastal zone.  The tools being used to meet this objective are biogeochemical budgets of nitrogen and phosphorus for specific sites (primarily bays, estuaries, and lagoons) in the coastal zone, and application of an objective classification, or “typology,” (http://www.kgs.ukans.edu/Hexacoral) to extrapolate from individual sites to the global coastal zone.  To date, approximately 150 site budgets have been developed (http://data.ecology.su.se/MNODE), mostly through a series of workshops sponsored by GEF.  The primary classification tool will be the geospatial clustering program "LoiczView," which has been developed for this specific application (http://www.palantir.swarthmore. edu/~maxwell/loicz/; refer LOICZ Newsletter No.15 June 2000, available on LOICZ web site).

Over the course of the year 2001, a series of three regional synthesis workshops have been organised in order to develop objective classifications for the global coastal zone, to reconcile the objective classifications with “expert classifications,” and to relate the coastal classes to the budgets.  The workshops will be targeted at specific regions, but each will also have a classification theme to provide a conceptual as well as a geographic focus.  The first of these workshops was held in Brisbane, Australia, in January 2001 to address the Asia-Australasia regions.

This workshop will be the regional synthesis for the Americas region, and the classification theme will be small vs large river systems.  An extensive spread of data for estuaries and river load characteristics is available, though in parts of South America and at the latitudinal extremes there is a limited set of information.  Three budgeting workshops have been held in the region: two in Mexico and one in South America (with UNEP GEF funding) and a number of estuarine biogeochemical systems budgets for North America are contained on the LOICZ website.

Primary Goals:

To work with resource persons and researchers dealing with coastal fluxes and biogeochemistry in the Americas region, in order to relate C,N,P biogeochemical budgetary information to coastal system classifications that will be developed by cluster analysis of suites of environmental and human-dimension variables.

The workshop provides the opportunity to test and develop coastal and budget classification techniques for the region and selected sub-regions, and to apply these to a regional synthesis of biogeochemical fluxes and budgets as well as to the initial steps of a global synthesis.

Anticipated Products:

1.       The following tests of coastal and budget classification schemes [Note: it is expected that much of this will be accomplished, posted electronically and disseminated to participants during the two-month pre-workshop period]:

1. Preliminary whole-region classifications based on physical environmental variables (list to be posted).
2. Exploratory tests of coastal classification by subregion (e.g., tropical vs temperate, rainfall/runoff or other classes).

2.       Classification of budget types by selected key variables, and initial correlations with environmental variables.

3.       Classification of coastal regions by human-dimension and related variables.

4.       [Note: the following are the primary in-workshop and post-workshop goals] Classifications of the Americas region and reconciliation of objective and expert classifications for the region, based on physical variables and the results of #1 above.

5.       Trial extrapolations of classifications from this region to the remainder of the global coastal zone.

6.       Overprinting of variations in socio-economic conditions onto these physically-based classifications.

7.       Estimates of mean and variability of budget variables (water, salt, nutrients) within the coastal classes deemed most suitable for optimisation and extrapolation.

8.       Prompt, updated electronic presentations (WWW and stand-alone files) of the typology/synthesis results and progress; further development of databases, procedures and tools on the basis of experience gained.

9.       Printed reports and submissions to the scientific literature as appropriate.

Workplan:

Participants will be expected to come prepared to contribute actively to the classification and synthesis process.  Preparation should include: reading, examination of the data, tools and tutorials presented on the LOICZ Typology and Web-LOICZView web pages (see URLs, above), and completion (on- or off-line) of pre-workshop tests and exercises (see Item #1 under Anticipated Products).  This pre-workshop activity should include electronic submission of preliminary results in agreed format so that these can be posted and made available as the resource base for the workshop

NOTE: This workshops will rely heavily on use of on-line internet tools and data, and on prompt website posting and electronic dissemination of products and progress.  Alternative distribution and access channels for those lacking ready WWW access will be provided, and it is anticipated that the workshops will be run via local networks on-site.  Some of the procedures are necessarily experimental, and will be developed throughout the synthesis process

LOICZ will arrange travel, and make other workshop arrangements in consultation with the Institute.  LOICZ will pay for all travel, accommodation and support costs for the participants.

Further details will be provided to participants during the lead-up to the workshop.

Draft Workshop Schedule:

April 28:            Arrival; set up and test hardware and software

April 29:            (am) General introduction to workshop schedule, plans and goals.  Plenary review of pre-workshop tests and outcomes.  Refinement of workshop strategy; development of teams and assignments.

(pm) Breakout work as decided – teams of participants and resource people address specific subsets of issues and techniques.  Emphasis on classification and calibration.

April 30:            Continue breakouts; midday plenary to evaluate progress, shift activity emphasis to budget extrapolation via typology.

May 1:              Breakouts/plenary as above – transition to developing synthesis.

May 2:              (am) Breakouts continue coordinated synthesis activities.

(pm) Plenary synthesis overview and assembly; plan for follow-up and completion.

May 3:              Departure.

Postworkshop:

ca. May 20 – all electronic products edited, summarized/explained, and posted to website.  Preparation of workshop report for LOICZ R&S series. 

Background Documents:

1.       Gordon, D.C., P.R. Boudreau, K.H. Mann, J.-E. Ong, W. Silvert, S.V. Smith, G. Wattayakorn, F. Wulff, and T. Yanagi. 1996.  LOICZ Biogeochemical Modelling Guidelines. LOICZ Reports and Studies 5, 96 pp.

2.       All LOICZ R&S budget workshop reports from the region: The earlier workshops on Australasian systems (LOICZ R&S No.12, 1999) and the South China Sea region (LOICZ R&S No. 14, 2000) are available in hard copy or electronically from the LOICZ web site.  Reports from South Asia and East Asia regions are in preparation and will be made available to participants before the workshop.

3.       All LOICZ "typology" reports.  These are in preparation and will be made available to all participants in the near future.

4.       LOICZ Modelling web page, for everyone with www access:
 ( http://data.ecology.su.se/MNODE/ ).

·         The web pages, including the guidelines, are frequently updated.  Recent additions to the site include several PowerPoint presentations designed to familiarize you further with the budgeting procedures and with an overview of the LOICZ budgeting efforts.

·         If you do not have access to the worldwide web but do have access to a computer with a CD-ROM, please let us know; we will send you a CD with the web page.  Please do not request the CD at this time if you have access; you will be furnished one during the workshop.

·         CABARET (Computer Assisted Budget Analysis, Research, Education, and Training).  A version of this software and a PowerPoint demonstration of its use are now available on the web-site.