2020-07-07 P&E Agenda - Item 3 - Attachment 1 - TNC Project Management Plan

Evaluation
Ecological performance indicator evaluation
The experimental design for ecological indicators (listed in Annex 1: Draft table outlining targets,
goals, objectives and associated performance indicators for the ) is based on a Before-After-
Control-Impact (BACI) design21, adapted to shellfish ecosystem restoration as outlined in the Universal Oyster
Metrics in the Oyster Restoration Monitoring and Assessment Handbook22.

To evaluate the ecological impact, and to assess the performance of the shellfish ecosystems in meeting their
restoration goals, it is necessary to perform both pre- and post-construction monitoring and assess these against
control sites located in two different adjacent habitats: soft sediments and seagrass habitats. In the absence of a
suitable local reference ecosystem being available, the project will use an interim target reference system
developed from research (i.e. Mcleod et al. 2019) for the purpose of guiding S. glomerata ecosystem restoration.
The inclusion of a reference system or target is considered best practice approach to restoration 23.

Two control monitoring locations, one for seagrass and one for sandy substrate, will be established near the
proposed shellfish ecosystem restoration impact area. An indicative diagram of the Impact and Control sites is
shown below (see Figure 7).




Figure 7: Impact site (proposed 200 m2 shellfish ecosystem area) and sandy substrate-control (200 m2 bare sand
habitat). TBD once site assessment has been completed. The sandy control and seagrass site are positioned at a
minimum distance 500 m from the impact site, but still within an area of equivalent environmental conditions in
order to evaluate changes as a result of the “Impact” action.

Socio-economic performance indicators

Socio-economic indicators will be evaluated by analysing data collected by the Project Coordinator and pre- and
post-substrate deployment socio-economic testimonials from key stakeholders and the community. Evaluation
of performance indicators will be done by standard analysis workflows ensuring clear and consistent evaluation
products. Each indicator will be assessed against a planned benchmark (planned output and timeframe) and will
be allocated a score relating to the how the results of the metric measures up against the benchmark. This scoring
will be consistent with those allocated for the ecological and socio-economic target indicators.

Project efficiency indicators

Project efficiency indicators will be evaluated by reviewing the project deliverables and budget against established
outputs and timing established for contracts, the Project Business Case and Project Summary Investment Plan (to
be developed later in the project). Each indicator will be assessed against a planned benchmark (planned output
and timeframe) and will be allocated a score relating to the how the results of the metric measures up against



21
   Underwood, A. J. (1994). On beyond BACI: sampling designs that might reliably detect environmental
disturbances. Ecological applications, 4(1), 3-15.
22
   The Nature Conservancy et al, Oyster Habitat Restoration Monitoring and Assessment Handbook
23
  Gillies CL, Crawford C, Hancock B (2017) Restoring Angasi oyster reefs: What is the endpoint ecosystem we are
aiming for and how do we get there? Ecological Management & Restoration 18:214-222


64 | Bring Back the Fish MER plan 2020 – 2022