Mapping Sources and Levels of Chronic Anthropogenic Stressors
Presentation Abstract
Environmental interests typically focus on the site where effects are observed. However, for many ecological systems the outcomes are diffuse or slow acting resulting in reduced fitness that contributes to lower survival elsewhere in the ecosystem. These chronic effects can have substantial implications for populations and may contribute to otherwise unexplained population trends. Anthropogenic stressors such as stormwater runoff, anthropogenic noise, structural shading and artificial light affect ecosystems through complex pathways and the sources and mechanisms of these stressors are often overlooked. While injury values have been identified for some of these mechanisms and regulatory tools are beginning to target those levels, chronic, sublethal effects are likely continuing to occur. By reviewing existing literature and using GIS to map the location and level of these stressors present in the ecosystem we identify the areas where stressors are present at levels of potential concern. The cumulative effects of environmental stressors are likely contributing to disease, altered predator-prey relationships, reduced fecundity, and/or increased mortality. Unlike other anthropogenic sources, chronic mechanisms can often be affected through low costs interventions, such as shielding for dock lighting. Mapping and identifying sources and levels of anthropogenic stressors is an initial step towards improving management of these stressors.
Session Title
General Pollution Topics
Conference Track
Fate and Effects of Pollutants
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Climatic changes--Risk assessment--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Mapping Sources and Levels of Chronic Anthropogenic Stressors
2016SSEC
Environmental interests typically focus on the site where effects are observed. However, for many ecological systems the outcomes are diffuse or slow acting resulting in reduced fitness that contributes to lower survival elsewhere in the ecosystem. These chronic effects can have substantial implications for populations and may contribute to otherwise unexplained population trends. Anthropogenic stressors such as stormwater runoff, anthropogenic noise, structural shading and artificial light affect ecosystems through complex pathways and the sources and mechanisms of these stressors are often overlooked. While injury values have been identified for some of these mechanisms and regulatory tools are beginning to target those levels, chronic, sublethal effects are likely continuing to occur. By reviewing existing literature and using GIS to map the location and level of these stressors present in the ecosystem we identify the areas where stressors are present at levels of potential concern. The cumulative effects of environmental stressors are likely contributing to disease, altered predator-prey relationships, reduced fecundity, and/or increased mortality. Unlike other anthropogenic sources, chronic mechanisms can often be affected through low costs interventions, such as shielding for dock lighting. Mapping and identifying sources and levels of anthropogenic stressors is an initial step towards improving management of these stressors.
