I have been making concept maps since childhood. I tend to use them when I'm thinking through complex processes and want to organize my thoughts in a graphical way. The original map, "How do Watersheds Influence Our Oceans and Climate?," was rather complex but the central point of entry was "Runoff." Above that are the things that determine type of runoff, including "Watershed Characteristics" and amount of "Precipitation." Watershed characteristics are mainly determined by land use (e.g., by humans) and the area. Climate change can impact not only watershed characteristics but also the frequency and intensity of major storms. Effects of runoff seen are on the bottom half of my map, particularly what is contained in runoff water. At far right is a question mark which is connected to "ocean acidification" and can negatively impact the growth of shellfish, a very active area of research nowadays. A better understood relationship is between nutrients and algal blooms. On the positive side, algal blooms nourish the base of the marine food web. On the negative side, too many nutrients can lead to huge algal blooms which, upon dying, can cause "Dead zones." Three of the concepts on this map are tied directly to "Water Clarity": algal blooms, dissolved matter, and particles. Each of these can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the sea bottom and damage eelgrass. At far left on my map, pollution can contain lead and fecal bacteria, which can directly harm fish, shellfish, and humans.

The informal educators and I decided focus on climate change impacts that are important to New England shellfisheries. Our consensus map shows that climate change can lead to short, intense storms that result in runoff with high levels of fecal bacterial and excessive nutrients. The nutrients can lead to Harmful Algal Blooms that contain toxins -- such as Amnesiac Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), and Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) -- that can be concentrated in shellfish. The left side of the map illustrates the process of collecting and testing shellfish to determine whether or not they are safe to be consumed by humans. "Humans" are an important part of the "process loop" as their activities -- including "Land Use" by livestock animals -- can add fecal matter to the runoff and contaminate shellfish.

Aimee Hayden-Roderiques works at the Maine Department for Marine Resources that is responsible for monitoring shellfish beds, including the decision if they need to be closed for public health reasons. She will use our consensus map with people ages 10 and older. John Diamond volunteers at the Seacoast Science Center and is also a Docent in the University of New Hampshire Marine Program. He will use the map as a standalone resource to complement existing exhibit content.