Establishing a community of practice for tidal creek research using conceptual models and open science.

In southwest Florida, several important tidal creek studies have included the development of conceptual models describing various aspects of tidal creek function to advance the science underlying tidal creek management. However, the intermittent nature of individual research has thus far limited the establishment of a fully utilized management paradigm for these creeks. In this paper, we propose the development of a centralized repository of tidal creek information and a method to develop a community of practice using open science principles to accelerate the science-based management of tidal creeks. Developing a central repository for information on tidal creek research with a focus on using existing conceptual models to test and refine hypothesis will build confidence in science-based management practices for these systems. Having access to such a repository will facilitate future grant proposals, future studies, and integrate and accelerate the science on tidal creeks while also continuing to inform natural resource managers on best management practices to prioritize limited resources for tidal creek protection and restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]