Event Title
Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
There is an extensive history of log storage along the coasts of the Salish Sea. The protected bays and estuaries that are ideal for log booms are also prime locations for eelgrass beds. As such, considerable amounts of valuable salmon habitat have been destroyed due to the legacy of log storage activities. Many log storage areas are being decommissioned and have the potential to be eelgrass restoration sites, however, selecting suitable sites is challenging. Where logs have been stored there is often accumulated sloughed off bark that has settled on the sediment. This woody debris creates a cap over the benthic sediments causing anoxia and high hydrogen sulphide (H2S) levels, resulting in conditions that are toxic to eelgrass. It is unknown how much of this accumulated woody debris may limit eelgrass productivity and what level of recovery is required for successful eelgrass establishment. We are investigating the long-term impacts of log storage to benthic environments. The aim of this research is to establish a threshold of impact for eelgrass survival in historic log boom areas and improve site selection to increase the chances of successful eelgrass habitat restoration
Session Title
Poster Session 3: Land - Water Connections
Conference Track
SSE14: Posters
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-posters-427
Start Date
27-4-2022 4:00 PM
End Date
27-4-2022 4:30 PM
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
The impacts of historical wood storage on nearshore eelgrass (Zostera marina) habitat (Won't present live)
There is an extensive history of log storage along the coasts of the Salish Sea. The protected bays and estuaries that are ideal for log booms are also prime locations for eelgrass beds. As such, considerable amounts of valuable salmon habitat have been destroyed due to the legacy of log storage activities. Many log storage areas are being decommissioned and have the potential to be eelgrass restoration sites, however, selecting suitable sites is challenging. Where logs have been stored there is often accumulated sloughed off bark that has settled on the sediment. This woody debris creates a cap over the benthic sediments causing anoxia and high hydrogen sulphide (H2S) levels, resulting in conditions that are toxic to eelgrass. It is unknown how much of this accumulated woody debris may limit eelgrass productivity and what level of recovery is required for successful eelgrass establishment. We are investigating the long-term impacts of log storage to benthic environments. The aim of this research is to establish a threshold of impact for eelgrass survival in historic log boom areas and improve site selection to increase the chances of successful eelgrass habitat restoration
