Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
Within an ecosystem, eelgrass beds are critical for many species, filtering runoff, protecting from shore erosion, and storing or absorbing excess nutrients and greenhouse gases. Eelgrass is also a nursery or home for many aquatic species. Because of this, eelgrass is the center of much research due to its pinnacle role within the aquatic ecosystem. Within Possession Sound, eelgrass’s relationship to phytoplankton such as Pseudo-nitzschia, a potentially toxic phytoplankton, is of particular interest. This study utilized six years of data from 2015 to 2021 collected from four sites within Possession Sound. The presence of eelgrass beds and their relative size was determined through the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and plankton collection and identification were conducted by Ocean Research College Academy students. Two common species found within the eelgrass beds are Z. Marina and Phyllospadix spp. Data collected from sites was taken from above or adjacent to eelgrass beds. One plankton collection site was chosen as a control due to the lack of adjacent eelgrass beds. Pseudo-nitzschia was monitored due to its potential harmful effects. Preliminary data indicates that eelgrass beds are associated with lower Pseudo-nitzschia counts. However, further research is warranted to investigate the strength of this correlation. Results will add another piece of understanding to the complex puzzle that lies within the aquatic ecosystem and another impact of eelgrass within the Possession Sound.
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-61
Start Date
27-4-2022 4:00 PM
End Date
27-4-2022 4:30 PM
Type of Presentation
Poster
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--Washington (State)--Possession Sound; Pseudo-nitzschia--Washington (State)--Possession Sound; Aquatic ecology--Washington (State)--Possession Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Possession Sound (Wash.)
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
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Eelgrass Correlation to Pseudo-nitzschia Population
Within an ecosystem, eelgrass beds are critical for many species, filtering runoff, protecting from shore erosion, and storing or absorbing excess nutrients and greenhouse gases. Eelgrass is also a nursery or home for many aquatic species. Because of this, eelgrass is the center of much research due to its pinnacle role within the aquatic ecosystem. Within Possession Sound, eelgrass’s relationship to phytoplankton such as Pseudo-nitzschia, a potentially toxic phytoplankton, is of particular interest. This study utilized six years of data from 2015 to 2021 collected from four sites within Possession Sound. The presence of eelgrass beds and their relative size was determined through the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and plankton collection and identification were conducted by Ocean Research College Academy students. Two common species found within the eelgrass beds are Z. Marina and Phyllospadix spp. Data collected from sites was taken from above or adjacent to eelgrass beds. One plankton collection site was chosen as a control due to the lack of adjacent eelgrass beds. Pseudo-nitzschia was monitored due to its potential harmful effects. Preliminary data indicates that eelgrass beds are associated with lower Pseudo-nitzschia counts. However, further research is warranted to investigate the strength of this correlation. Results will add another piece of understanding to the complex puzzle that lies within the aquatic ecosystem and another impact of eelgrass within the Possession Sound.
