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USGS · 70228873

Decision analysis of restoration actions for faunal conservation and other stakeholder values: Dauphin Island, Alabama

Elise R. Irwin·K. Ouellette Coffman·E. S. Godsey·Nicholas Enwright·M. Clint Lloyd·K. Joyner·Q. T. Lai
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Abstract

Dauphin Island is a barrier island located in the northern Gulf of Mexico and serves as the only barrier island providing protection to much of the State of Alabama’s coastal natural resources. The ecosystem spans over 3,500 acres of barrier island habitat including, beach, dune, overwash fans, intertidal wetlands, maritime forest and freshwater ponds. In addition, Dauphin Island provides protection to approximately one-third of the Mississippi Sound estuarine habitats in its lee including oyster reefs, mainland marshes and seagrasses. The habitat supports a variety of species including at least 347 species of birds, some of which are Federally or State listed species that either pass through or reside on the island. The island enhances the region’s recreational and commercial fishery habitat through maintenance and protection of water quality in the sound and adjacent nearshore habitats. Dauphin Island also serves as the location for cultural resources, the United States Air Force’s (USAF) early warning radar station, the State’s marine education facilities, infrastructure for the oil and gas industry, and a vibrant tourism economy. Consequently, anthropogenic actions (e.g., structural changes) and externally driven natural factors (e.g., storms and sea level rise) that impact Dauphin Island could affect both the conservation and economic value of the island.

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90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 30.227628190725536° to 30.267814950364478° latitude; -88.2143783569336° to -88.07241439819336° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeXRIS

Elise R. Irwin, K. Ouellette Coffman, E. S. Godsey, Nicholas Enwright, M. Clint Lloyd, K. Joyner, Q. T. Lai. 2020. Decision analysis of restoration actions for faunal conservation and other stakeholder values: Dauphin Island, Alabama. https://doi.org/10.3133/70228873

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