Long-term monitoring on multiple spatial scales: status and trends of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in greater Puget Sound
Presentation Abstract
Seagrasses provide important ecosystem services, and are sensitive to a wide range of environmental stressors, making them effective indicators of habitat condition. The WA Department of Natural Resources monitors seagrass (predominantly Zostera marina) area and depth distribution in greater Puget Sound, through the Submerged Vegetation Monitoring Program (SVMP). This long-term monitoring program, which started in 2000, uses underwater videography to estimate the areal extent of native seagrass beds at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Changes in soundwide native seagrass area are assessed in the framework of a long-term target (20% increase in soundwide seagrass area by 2020), while local patterns in seagrass distribution are examined on a shorter timeframe.
Results indicate that there are approximately 22,000 ha of native seagrass in greater Puget Sound, and that seagrass tends to be more widespread in the northern part of the Sound. Soundwide native seagrass area has been relatively stable over the last 15 years. Most sites sampled showed little change over time, but in some areas sites with long-term declines in native seagrass area outnumbered sites with increases. These declines are either the result of localized anthropogenic activities or broader climatic influences, and need to be further investigated to identify specific drivers. There are signs that seagrass conditions improved in recent years: several sites that were previously declining have stabilized between 2010 and 2014. At the Skokomish and the Nisqually River deltas, notable increases in eelgrass area were observed following removal of dikes and other restoration activities. A better understanding of the distribution of native seagrass beds and the mechanisms behind the observed changes could be used to hone conservation strategies and improve designs of future restoration projects.
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; Estuarine ecology--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Environmental monitoring--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
Long-term monitoring on multiple spatial scales: status and trends of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in greater Puget Sound
2016SSEC
Seagrasses provide important ecosystem services, and are sensitive to a wide range of environmental stressors, making them effective indicators of habitat condition. The WA Department of Natural Resources monitors seagrass (predominantly Zostera marina) area and depth distribution in greater Puget Sound, through the Submerged Vegetation Monitoring Program (SVMP). This long-term monitoring program, which started in 2000, uses underwater videography to estimate the areal extent of native seagrass beds at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Changes in soundwide native seagrass area are assessed in the framework of a long-term target (20% increase in soundwide seagrass area by 2020), while local patterns in seagrass distribution are examined on a shorter timeframe.
Results indicate that there are approximately 22,000 ha of native seagrass in greater Puget Sound, and that seagrass tends to be more widespread in the northern part of the Sound. Soundwide native seagrass area has been relatively stable over the last 15 years. Most sites sampled showed little change over time, but in some areas sites with long-term declines in native seagrass area outnumbered sites with increases. These declines are either the result of localized anthropogenic activities or broader climatic influences, and need to be further investigated to identify specific drivers. There are signs that seagrass conditions improved in recent years: several sites that were previously declining have stabilized between 2010 and 2014. At the Skokomish and the Nisqually River deltas, notable increases in eelgrass area were observed following removal of dikes and other restoration activities. A better understanding of the distribution of native seagrass beds and the mechanisms behind the observed changes could be used to hone conservation strategies and improve designs of future restoration projects.
