Abstract:

The dataset contains the model output from a Deepwater Horizon oil spill simulation. The model is an Ecopath with Ecosim model that investigates the effect of the oil spill on ecosystem services. The model outputs for depth-distributed biomass, catch, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem service quantification are included. This dataset supports the publication: Rohal, Melissa, Cameron Ainsworth, Brach Lupher, Paul A. Montagna, Claire B. Paris, Natalie Perlin, Paul Mark Suprenand, and David Yoskowitz. (2020). The effect of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on two ecosystem services in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Environmental Modelling & Software, 133, 104793. doi:10.1016/j.envsoft.2020.104793

Suggested Citation:

Rohal, Melissa, Cameron Ainsworth, Brach Lupher, Paul A. Montagna, Claire Paris-Limouzy, Natalie Perlin, Paul Mark Suprenand and David Yoskowitz. 2021. Dataset for: The effect of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on two ecosystem services in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/n7-skas-7477

Publications:

Rohal, M., Ainsworth, C., Lupher, B., Montagna, P. A., Paris, C. B., Perlin, N., … Yoskowitz, D. (2020). The effect of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on two ecosystem services in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Environmental Modelling & Software, 133, 104793. doi:10.1016/j.envsoft.2020.104793

Purpose:

An Ecopath with Ecosim model was developed for the Northern Gulf of Mexico that incorporated ecosystem services: commercial fisheries, and carbon sequestration.

Data Parameters and Units:

The dataset contains Biomass outputs from an Ecopath with Ecosim (EWE) model. Results are exported directly from each scenario, i.e., before and after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) event. The worksheet "Annual Biomass by Depth" contains the data on biomass calculations for the difference between "no oil" and "oil" scenarios for 2010 and 2011. Biomass values by the trophic group are in Metric Tonnes and Metric Tonnes per square kilometer. Parameters included are - Group name [functional group and age class]; Depth Range [water depth (m)]; Habitat Area [surface area each functional group inhabits based on depth (Km²)]; Area of oil Impact [area of surface oil based on GIS analysis]; Biomass by Habitat [Biomass based on total organism habitat area (Biomass*Habitat Area) (t/Km²)]; Biomass [Ecosim Output (Metric Tonnes)]; Biomass Change [Difference between No Oil and Oil scenario simulations (%)]. The worksheet "Commercial Fishing" contains the data on the calculations of commercial fish harvest and prices for "oil" and "no oil" scenarios (O=Oil; N=no Oil) from 2008 to 2012. Commercial fishing outputs are converted from metric tonnes to pounds, then to dollars. The worksheet "Carbon Sequestration" contains the data on the calculations of carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration outputs are calculated from detrital biomass corrected for offshore values only. Final carbon sequestration values are in percent loss and dollars. The two estimates of carbon sequestration, the values for the Gulf Stream and the global values were compared.

Methods:

The Ecopath with Ecosim (EWE) model version 6.5.14034.0 was initialized with conditions in 2004 and covered the upper 2000 m of the water column. The model was based on that of Suprenand et al., 2015, with modifications including the division of benthic infauna into meiofauna and macrofauna classes, creation of forcing function for oil, fish dose-response, invertebrate dose-response, and primary producers. Commercial and recreational landings data from 2004 to 2014 were obtained from NOAA's public landings statistics [National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 2016], in addition to ex-vessel catch prices to value the fisheries. Two simulations, one with and one without oil, were initialized for 2004 and predicted forward to 2014. For more details on the model, please refer to the associated publication (Rohal et al., 2020) and the supplementary data to the article.

Provenance and Historical References:

Suprenand, P. M., Drexler, M., Jones, D. L., & Ainsworth, C. H. (2015). Strategic Assessment of Fisheries Independent Monitoring Programs in the Gulf of Mexico. PLOS ONE, 10(4), e0120929. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0120929 NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service, (2016). Landings Statistics. Fisheries Economics of the United States, 2014. U.S. Dept. Commerce, NOAA. Accessed from: https://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/commercial-fisheries/commercial-landings/index

Individual Files: