Ecosystem implications of Zostera marina loss and Zostera japonica recolonization in the Port Madison Reservation, central Puget Sound
Presentation Abstract
Eelgrass plays an important role in coastal ecosystems by providing substrate, shelter, and nurseries for a diverse ecological community; attenuating flow; stabilizing sediments; and sequestering carbon. Eelgrass also serves as an indicator of environmental change because plants need certain water and substrate characteristics to survive. Between 2009 and 2012, a 2 to 3 hectare eelgrass bed on the west shore of Point Bolin (Port Madison Reservation, Kitsap County) transitioned from one dominated by Zostera marina to one dominated by Z. japonica. The potential loss of ecosystem services provided by this Z. marina bed is of concern because members of the Suquamish Tribe depend on salmon and shellfish that use Z. marina. Furthermore, if the loss of this Z. marina bed was related to declining environmental quality, other eelgrass beds in the Port Madison Reservation and in the region could be at risk. We explore potential causes of the Z. marina disappearance at this site and implications of the altered ecological functions associated with Z. japonica colonization. Dwarf eelgrass, Z. japonica, is smaller than Z. marina and grows higher on the beach. Understanding these causes and effects can help guide nearshore management decisions that affect critical eelgrass habitat and its ecological community.
Session Title
The Role of Eelgrass Ecosystems in the Salish Sea
Conference Track
Habitat
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Eelgrass--Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Zostera marina--Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Dwarf eelgrass--Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Estuarine ecology--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (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
Ecosystem implications of Zostera marina loss and Zostera japonica recolonization in the Port Madison Reservation, central Puget Sound
2016SSEC
Eelgrass plays an important role in coastal ecosystems by providing substrate, shelter, and nurseries for a diverse ecological community; attenuating flow; stabilizing sediments; and sequestering carbon. Eelgrass also serves as an indicator of environmental change because plants need certain water and substrate characteristics to survive. Between 2009 and 2012, a 2 to 3 hectare eelgrass bed on the west shore of Point Bolin (Port Madison Reservation, Kitsap County) transitioned from one dominated by Zostera marina to one dominated by Z. japonica. The potential loss of ecosystem services provided by this Z. marina bed is of concern because members of the Suquamish Tribe depend on salmon and shellfish that use Z. marina. Furthermore, if the loss of this Z. marina bed was related to declining environmental quality, other eelgrass beds in the Port Madison Reservation and in the region could be at risk. We explore potential causes of the Z. marina disappearance at this site and implications of the altered ecological functions associated with Z. japonica colonization. Dwarf eelgrass, Z. japonica, is smaller than Z. marina and grows higher on the beach. Understanding these causes and effects can help guide nearshore management decisions that affect critical eelgrass habitat and its ecological community.
