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Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and Seaweed Abundance along the Coast of Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2008–10

Open-File Report 2020-1114
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201114

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  • Document: Report (2.9 MB pdf)
  • Related Works:
    • OFR 2020-1035 — Abundance and distribution of eelgrass (Zostera marina) and seaweeds at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2007–10
    • OFR 2020-1080 — Distribution of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in coastal waters adjacent to Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
    • OFR 2020-1144 — Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and seaweed assessment Alaska Peninsula-Becharof National Wildlife Refuges, 2010
    • OFR 2020-1143 — Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and seaweed abundance along the coast of Nunivak Island, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2010
    • OFR 2021-1034 — Inventory of eelgrass (Zostera marina) and seaweeds at the end of the Alaska Peninsula, August–September 2012
  • Data Releases:
    • USGS data release — Point sampling data for eelgrass (Zostera marina) and seaweed distribution and abundance in bays adjacent to the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
    • USGS data release — Mapping data of eelgrass (Zostera marina) distribution, Alaska and Baja California, Mexico
  • Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

We conducted a point-sampling survey to determine eelgrass (Zostera marina) and seaweed abundance in coastal waters adjacent to Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, in July 2008–10. Eelgrass was known to be abundant in protected embayments of the southeastern Bering Sea and near the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, but prior to this study, no systematic ground surveys had been conducted in these areas. We determined mean aboveground biomass of eelgrass to be highly variable among years observed, ranging from 32–72 grams dry weight per square meter (g/m2) during successive years in Nanvak Bay and among the studied embayments in 2010: 47±4 g/m2 in Nanvak Bay, 69±7 g/m2 in Chagvan Bay, and 74±15 g/m2 in Goodnews Bay. Seaweed density, abundance, and frequency scores were also highly variable among years and among embayments and were lower for seaweeds than for eelgrass in Nanvak and Chagvan bays, but not in Goodnews Bay. For all bays, mussels (Mytilus spp.) and gastropods were the most common macro-invertebrates detected during surveys, whereas sea stars, crabs, and sponges were not observed in the embayments.

Suggested Citation

Ward, D.H, Hogrefe, K.R, Swaim, M.A., Donnelly, T.F., and Fairchild, L.L., 2022, Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and Seaweed Abundance along the Coast of Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2008–10: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2020–1114, 14 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201114.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results and Discussion
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and Seaweed Abundance along the Coast of Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2008–10
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2020-1114
DOI 10.3133/ofr20201114
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center Biology WTEB
Description Report: v, 14 p.; 2 Data Releases
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial Togiak National Wildlife Refuge
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details