Models 
Stress-Response Model 
All field and laboratory data used in the development of the Stress-Response model 
(SRM) were collected in accordance with WED SOP’s and QAPP’s. (Tables B.l and B.2). A 
complete list of these parameters is found in Kaldy and Eldridge (2006) Volume II-Tables 1, 2, 
3, 4, and 5. All the measurements of physical and biological quantities used in our modeling are 
subject to uncertainties. Further these measurements were often combined to produce new 
derived quantities, each of which has its own uncertainties. We calculated these uncertainties 
using means and standard deviations of the data and error propagation algorithms from 
http://teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/Dhy labs/ADDendixB/AppendixB.html . 
Once the SRM was calibrated to the biomass data (see Kaldy and Eldridge 2006, 
Figure F.l), we conducted a series of tests to examine the models sensitivity to parameters. A 
model that is overly sensitive to parameters is considered unstable. Kaldy and Eldridge (2006) 
Volume II-Table 8 provide a complete sensitivity analysis of the model used herein and a 
discussion of the sensitive results is presented on page 55 of Kaldy and Eldridge (2006). 
Another aspect of the model quality assurance is the development of validation 
experiments. We developed the model using local seagrass and environmental data, but plan to 
use the model to address regional or national level questions. Z. marina physiology and genetic 
alleles (minor variations of the same gene) diverge significantly in different regions of the 
continental United States. The regional differences in Z. marina require that we run our 
validation experiments at multiple scales. At the local scale we have developed plant level-tracer 
experiments to evaluate the allocation of carbon within a plant (Kaldy and Eldridge 2006). At 
the regional scale we are planning running validation experiment in Puget Sound, Washington 
during 2007. At the national scale we have conducted Z. marina mesocosm experiment in 
Narragansett, Rhode Island in collaboration with AED and the University of Rhode Island. 
These data will be used to validate or recalibrate the SRM for regional or national level 
implementation of the SRM. The combination of the data uncertainty analysis, the model 
calibration and sensitivity analyses, and the local, regional, and national scale SRM validations 
constitute our QC/QA program. 
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