Presentation Abstract
Although bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) is a prevalent nearshore habitat throughout the Salish Sea, its distribution and seasonal bed area dynamics are poorly characterized. Island County contains bull kelp beds that are positioned in dramatically different oceanographic situations. The western part of the County is fully exposed to marine conditions of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Admiralty Inlet, while the eastern part is exposed to the strong freshwater influence of the largest rivers in Puget Sound. Each part contains bull kelp beds, providing an opportunity to compare their seasonal dynamics. Since 2015, the Island County Marine Resources Committee has supported surveys of bull kelp beds in County waters by trained volunteers. One type of monthly survey estimates the areas of selected beds by GPS tracking of bed perimeters, also collecting contextual data such as temperature & depth. Concurrently, surveyors record anecdotal observations of bed use by animals and collect underwater videography and photographs. A second type of survey uses visible light and near infrared aerial imaging to document locations of kelp beds throughout the County’s nearshore waters. These volunteer-driven surveys provide new information about the County’s marine resources, and document distinct contrasts in bull kelp beds located in different oceanographic conditions.
Session Title
Kelp Distribution and Recovery Strategies in the Salish Sea: Part I
Keywords
Seasonal dynamics, Habitat, Volunteer-driven, Videography
Conference Track
SSE1: Habitat Restoration and Protection
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE1-31
Start Date
6-4-2018 9:30 AM
End Date
6-4-2018 9:45 AM
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)
Nereocystis luetkeana--Washington (State)--Island County--Geographical distribution; Nereocystis luetkeana--Washington (State)--Island County--Evaluation; Kelp bed ecology--Washington (State)--Island County; Volunteer workers in science--Washington (State)--Island County;
Geographic Coverage
Island County (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
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Bull kelp bed surveys in Island County, Washington USA
Although bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) is a prevalent nearshore habitat throughout the Salish Sea, its distribution and seasonal bed area dynamics are poorly characterized. Island County contains bull kelp beds that are positioned in dramatically different oceanographic situations. The western part of the County is fully exposed to marine conditions of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Admiralty Inlet, while the eastern part is exposed to the strong freshwater influence of the largest rivers in Puget Sound. Each part contains bull kelp beds, providing an opportunity to compare their seasonal dynamics. Since 2015, the Island County Marine Resources Committee has supported surveys of bull kelp beds in County waters by trained volunteers. One type of monthly survey estimates the areas of selected beds by GPS tracking of bed perimeters, also collecting contextual data such as temperature & depth. Concurrently, surveyors record anecdotal observations of bed use by animals and collect underwater videography and photographs. A second type of survey uses visible light and near infrared aerial imaging to document locations of kelp beds throughout the County’s nearshore waters. These volunteer-driven surveys provide new information about the County’s marine resources, and document distinct contrasts in bull kelp beds located in different oceanographic conditions.
