Site Profiles

Future of Site Profiles NERRS Science Transfer Project
Updated Site Profile Outline
May 31, 2023
Site Profile Landing Page Example contents: Engaging photos, statement or story that emphasizes the ecological
and cultural significance of the Reserve; watershed map layer, orientation to the site profile content and
purpose, instructional video to help users effectively navigate GIS maps, clear links to numbered subheadings
below.
1. Reserve Introduction (Required) example contents: Map of the Reserve boundaries, Habitat Map layers
a. Administrative overview
i. Mission, site description, lead agency info
ii. Description of the NERRS program and significance of this site in the system
iii. Research facilities, costs, access, process/procedures
iv. Management priorities for research, monitoring, stewardship, education
b. Estuary overview
i. Estuarine type (links to 3.d. Ecological Setting)
ii. Estuarine habitats (links to 3.c.i Biotic Habitats)
iii. Ecological significance
iv. Overview of human dimensions
2. Community and Historical Ecology (Optional): example contents: Slider bar of historic to modern
photos or imagery or map layer of historic aerial photos from the Reserve.
a. Historic impacts and restoration efforts
i. History of land and water management
ii. Restoration and remediation efforts within the Reserve
iii. Land and water stewardship and conservation activities
b. Reserve resilience
i. Coastal adaptations and living shorelines, including map layer with descriptions
ii. Circular economies related to Reserve focus and mission
iii. Disaster preparedness
3. Estuary Characterization (Required): example contents: Featured map layer of entire estuary, including
NERR boundaries
a. Environmental setting
i. Estuarine geomorphology (including soils and sedimentary processes)
ii. Climate and weather
iii. Hydrology and Oceanography (watershed and tidal conditions)
iv. Water quality
b. Socio-ecological setting (Required): example contents: featured map layers- demographics,
estuary access, culturally significant sites that may be publicly shared
i. Demographics and population trends of Reserve connected communities
ii. Subsistence, commercial and recreational activities and related significant species,
ecosystems and locations
iii. Culturally significant sites and human dimensions within the Reserve

c. Biological communities and biocultural indicators
i. Biotic habitats
ii. Microbiological components
iii. Plankton
iv. Vegetation
v. Invertebrates
vi. Fish, reptiles, and amphibians
vii. Birds and mammals
d. Ecological setting and conditions
i. Origin and evolution of the estuary
ii. Influence of physical environment on the biota
iii. Biological productivity
iv. Community structure and processes
4. Research and Monitoring Activities (Required) example contents: Map layer of SWMP and Sentinel site
locations and link to CDMO or other data access sites
a. Research and monitoring priorities (Required): Becomes an annual upload of Davidson
Fellowship priorities and Science Collaborative priorities, with space to add priorities as needed.
b. Guidance for appropriate engagement with Reserve communities (Required): See Kūlana Noiʻi
for an example of guidance to engage with communities.
c. Research and monitoring activities
d. Publications and online bibliography (Optional) References organized by each key topic area in
sections 1, 2, 3 and 5. When possible, may link out to Zotero or Mendeley, to maintain a
bibliography without copyright restrictions. Citations in the Site Profile may link to the
bibliography.
5. Understanding and responding to future threats (Optional) focusing on “state of knowledge”, climate
change impacts, and gaps where future research is needed. Example contents: map layer features
priority Research focus areas and gaps that can be georeferenced.
a. Ecological responses to and impacts of climate change
b. Social responses to and impacts of climate change
c. Biological invasions
d. Pollution, marine debris and emerging contaminants
6. Learning Extensions for Educators and Coastal Professionals (Optional)
a. For K-12 Educators: highlighting content that supports place-based or online learning
b. For Students: guided learning quests about the local Reserve using Site Profile content
c. For coastal decision makers: socio-economic data connections, relevant map layers curated for
CTP audiences

This site profile outline was revised through an evaluation process with National Estuarine Research Reserve and NOAA OCM
staff in 2020-21. It was approved for use by NOAA NERRS leadership on November 30, 2021. This work was sponsored by the
National Estuarine Research Reserve System Science Collaborative, which supports collaborative research that addresses
coastal management problems important to the Reserves. It was developed by staff at the Lake Superior and He’eia NERRS.