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An Oceanographic Characterization of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and Pacific Northwest:
Interpretive Summary of Ocean Climate and Regional Processes through Satellite Remote Sensing

An Oceanographic Characterization of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and Pacific Northwest: Interpretive Summary of Ocean Climate and Regional Processes through Satellite Remote Sensing


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Two-page Project Summary (PDF)

Objectives

front coverNOAA’s Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, in collaboration with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) and Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS), compiled a comprehensive report describing the oceanographic conditions and climatological processes for the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary.

The objectives of the characterization were to:

  1. Identify, obtain, and perform regional syntheses on pertinent long-term satellite data to characterize the physical and oceanographic conditions within the PNW, and specifically the OCNMS; and
  2. Summarize surface patterns, features, and underlying processes governing oceanographic variability and climate as depicted through satellite remote sensing for consideration in National Marine Protected Area biodi­versity/conservation evaluations, management plan reviews, ecosystem assessments, and other decision-support initiatives.

Expected goals were to provide a climatological baseline for evaluating future oceanographic trends and anomalies in the data, and to document the analytical requirements for integrating satellite remotes sensing into NOAA- supported programs.

Project Summary

Schematic of general physical factors controlling ocean surface response during January, May, July, and September.
Schematic of general physical factors controlling ocean surface response during January, May, July, and September. Boundary determinations based on correlation patterns of spatially and temporally resolved remote sensing parameters, Columbia River discharge and watershed-based precipitation estimates.

The 53-page report was structured to provide an innovative approach for presenting a suite of highly computational satellite oceanographic datasets, through conventional maps, color time series diagrams (Hovmöller), and statistical plots of variable correlations. The result was a unique representation of Pacific Northwest ocean climate and behavior addressing the governing oceanographic features and processes affecting the OCNMS and its biological resources.

This remote sensing baseline is central for understanding the region in a broader context and how the biology, ocean conditions and processes of a region can change through time. Next steps are to integrate climatological baseline information from satellite with coastal ocean modeling outputs, spatial habitat data, and key biological/ecological information to support a wide array of marine ecosystem-based science applications.  The work also represents the first of many steps to address present and future management questions posed by the OCNMS, and will be important in marine spatial planning efforts that focus on the interactions of oceans, resources, and habitats.

Climatological summaries of monthly averaged satellite oceanographic data during peak of winter downwelling period (January), and upwelling period (July).
Climatological summaries of monthly averaged satellite oceanographic data during peak of winter downwelling period (January), and upwelling period (July). Note distinct variable response pattern changes for the two periods. See report for complete details on data, methods, technical disclaimers, and references.

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Time Frame

January 2007 - April 2009

For More Information

Project Manager: (COAST)
1305 East West Highway
SSMC-IV, N/SCI-1
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-713-3028 x167


(Biogeo)
1305 East West Highway
SSMC-IV, N/SCI-1
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-713-3028 x157