Researchers performing dune monitoring=
University of Florida researchers
monitoring dune restoration.

The Trustees presented a general monitoring and adaptive management framework in the Programmatic Restoration Plan to guide Deepwater Horizon restoration efforts. From that framework came the Monitoring and Adaptive Management Manual.

  • Original 2018 Manual: Released in January 2018, the first iteration of the Monitoring and Apative Management Manual was developed to provide guidance for monitoring needed to evaluate restoration outcomes and benefits to injured resources. 
  • 2019 Updates: In August 2019, the Trustees released an updated Manual Appendix E with new monitoring guidelines for restoration projects for oysters and submerged aquatic vegetation, and for projects that protect and conserve habitat.
  • 2021 Updates: In December 2021, the Trustees released additional updates to the Manual’s Appendix E, with new monitoring guidelines for birds, marine mammals, sea turtles, fish and water column invertebrates, and mesophotic and deep benthic communities.

Adaptive management is a process involving fine-tuning both the restoration projects and the entire restoration program over time, based on monitoring results and improved scientific understanding. The process creates an expanding base of knowledge that supports current and future restoration decision-making and further refines which restoration approaches are most effective for different resources and environmental settings.

More Information:

Documents:
The Process Visualized:
Monitoring and Adaptive Management Feedback diagram

Monitoring and adaptive management framework guiding Deepwater Horizon restoration.