NIDIS Coastal Carolinas DEWS Program Progress Report

This report highlights project progress through 2015. Notable accomplishments include the following:

• The development of a citizen science condition monitoring network that provides regular reports regarding the effects of rainfall (or lack thereof) on local environments and communities. This on-the-ground information has value for drought monitoring and understanding local drought impacts.
• The establishment and refinement of a Coastal Drought Index (CDI) that uses salinity data to characterize drought conditions in coastal environments. Related work is assessing the ecological response variables that can be used with the CDI to link drought and ecological impacts and thereby inform resource management and planning decisions.
• An assessment of drought indicators for monitoring and managing fire risks in the coastal zone.
• The development of tools and information that allow fisheries managers and crabbers to investigate the connections between climate variability and crab landings.
• Foundational steps to build an “Atlas of Hydroclimate Extremes for the Carolinas.” This web-based tool will provide baseline information about drought duration, frequency, and intensity as requested by decision makers for long-term drought planning. 
• Over 50 presentations by project leads and partners at local, regional, and national events.