Mesohaline submerged aquatic vegetation survey along the U.S. gulf of Mexico coast, 2000: A stratified random approach
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Abstract
Estimates of submerged aquatic vegetative (SAV) along the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) generally focus on seagrasses. In 2000, we attempted a synoptic survey of SAV in the mesohaline (5–20 ppt) zone of estuarine and nearshore areas of the northeastern Gulf. Areas with SAV were identified from existing aerial 1992 photography, and a literature review was used to select those areas that were likely to experience mesohaline conditions during the growing season. In 2000, a drought year, we visited 217 randomly selected SAV beds and collected data on species composition and environmental conditions. In general, sites were either clearly polyhaline (≥ 20 ppt) or oligohaline (≤ 5 ppt), with only five sites measuring between 5 and 20 ppt. Ruppia maritima L. (13–35 ppt, n = 28) was the only species that occurred in mesohaline salinities. Halodule wrightii Asch. occurred in 73% of the beds. The nonindigenous Myriophyllum spicatum L. was present in four locations with salinities below 3 ppt. No nonindigenous macroalgae were identified, and no nonindigenous angiosperms occurred in salinities above 3 ppt. Selecting sample locations based on historical salinity data was not a successful strategy for surveying SAV in mesohaline systems, particularly during a drought year. Our ability to locate SAV beds within 50 m of their aerially located position 8 yr later demonstrates some SAV stability in the highly variable conditions of the study area.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Mesohaline submerged aquatic vegetation survey along the U.S. gulf of Mexico coast, 2000: A stratified random approach |
| Series title | Gulf of Mexico Science |
| DOI | 10.18785/goms.2701.01 |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Dauphin Island Sea Lab |
| Contributing office(s) | National Wetlands Research Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center |
| Description | 8 p. |
| First page | 1 |
| Last page | 8 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama, Florida |
| Other Geospatial | Apalachicola Bay, Mobile Bay |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |