Strategies for Nearshore Protection and Restoration in Puget Sound

The Strategy Report integrates change analysis and estimated process degradation, under a simple restoration and protection planning model.  This model offers a simple framework for the management of Puget Sound nearshore ecosystems. We identify a set of delta, beach, barrier embayment and coastal inlet sites. Sites differ in their historical potential to provide ecosystem services. Restoration and protection planning should consider the operation of critical ecosystem processes at the site scale.  The intensity and character of site degradation both indicates the potential for restoration, but creates risk in that restoration efforts may be undermined by degradation of critical ecosystem processes. The development of landscape strategies and conservation actions can be informed by these large scale assessments. We provide suggestions for incorporating PSNERP data into restoration planning. Our framework and assessments point to groups of large complex sites, where there may be exceptional opportunities for large scale ecosystem restoration or protection.