Temperature Trends and the Genetic Diversity of Eelgrass
Presentation Abstract
Zostera marina, or eelgrass, is a marine flowering plant species native to the estuarine coastlines of North America and Eurasia. The plants thrive in the cool, saline waters of Possession Sound and provide critical habitat for numerous species. Global declines in eelgrass populations and rising water temperatures threaten a crucial building block of a healthy marine environment. The decline in eelgrass abundance has been linked to anthropogenic influences and global climate change. The reproduction of eelgrass is sensitive to surrounding conditions; it is able to reproduce sexually and asexually. Students in the Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA), a dual credit program though Everett Community College, collect eelgrass samples from three locations in Possession Sound. Temperature data collected by a CTD deployed near one location demonstrates an increasing temperature average over the last five years. In 2010, the average yearly temperature was 10.32˚C, while 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 measured 9.88˚C, 9.89˚C, 10.41˚C, and 10.52˚C, respectively. In 2015, the average temperature increased by 1.12˚C, averaging 11.64˚C. It is hypothesized that higher temperatures in the water column will increase the occurrence of sexual reproduction, increasing the genetic diversity of the population. To determine if temperature changes have an effect on genetic diversity, eelgrass DNA samples will be extracted using methods from Integrated DNA Technologies and amplified through PCR. Nucleic Acid separation will be done by agarose gel electrophoresis and then analyzed.
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
Poster
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events); posters
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Eelgrass--Effect of global warming on--Washington (State)--Possession Sound; Eelgrass--Variation--Washington (State)--Possession Sound
Geographic Coverage
Possession Sound (Wash.); 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
Temperature Trends and the Genetic Diversity of Eelgrass
2016SSEC
Zostera marina, or eelgrass, is a marine flowering plant species native to the estuarine coastlines of North America and Eurasia. The plants thrive in the cool, saline waters of Possession Sound and provide critical habitat for numerous species. Global declines in eelgrass populations and rising water temperatures threaten a crucial building block of a healthy marine environment. The decline in eelgrass abundance has been linked to anthropogenic influences and global climate change. The reproduction of eelgrass is sensitive to surrounding conditions; it is able to reproduce sexually and asexually. Students in the Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA), a dual credit program though Everett Community College, collect eelgrass samples from three locations in Possession Sound. Temperature data collected by a CTD deployed near one location demonstrates an increasing temperature average over the last five years. In 2010, the average yearly temperature was 10.32˚C, while 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 measured 9.88˚C, 9.89˚C, 10.41˚C, and 10.52˚C, respectively. In 2015, the average temperature increased by 1.12˚C, averaging 11.64˚C. It is hypothesized that higher temperatures in the water column will increase the occurrence of sexual reproduction, increasing the genetic diversity of the population. To determine if temperature changes have an effect on genetic diversity, eelgrass DNA samples will be extracted using methods from Integrated DNA Technologies and amplified through PCR. Nucleic Acid separation will be done by agarose gel electrophoresis and then analyzed.
