Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and Seaweed Assessments at Alaska Peninsula-Becharof National Wildlife Refuges, 2010
Links
- Document: Report (1.4 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 2020-1114 — Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and Seaweed Abundance along the Coast of Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2008–10
- 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 — Imagery and mapping data of eelgrass (Zostera marina) distribution, Alaska and Baja California, Mexico
- USGS data release — Point sampling data for eelgrass (Zostera marina) and seaweed distribution and abundance in bays adjacent to the Alaska Peninsula-Becharof National Wildlife Refuges, Alaska, 2010
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
We conducted the first assessment of eelgrass and seaweed distribution and abundance along the coast of the Alaska Peninsula-Becharof National Wildlife Refuges in Chignik Lagoon and Mud Bay. Areal extent of eelgrass, as determined from remote-sensing techniques, was estimated to be 2,414 hectares in Chignik Lagoon and 188 hectares in Mud Bay, and eelgrass was the dominant marine macrophyte in each of the embayments. During an embayment-wide point survey of Chignik Lagoon, eelgrass and seaweeds were observed on 76 and 62 percent of survey points, respectively. Average percent cover was greater for eelgrass (82 percent) than for seaweeds (37 percent) when each was present at a survey point. In contrast, eelgrass and seaweeds were distributed nearly equally in Mud Bay, occurring on 64 and 70 percent of the points, respectively, and when present, cover of eelgrass and seaweeds were 70 and 60 percent, respectively. Brown and red seaweeds, such as Polysiphonia pacifica, Saccharina latissima, Neorhodomela oregona, and Eudesme borealis, were the most common seaweeds in Chignik Lagoon, while green seaweeds, particularly Kornmannia leptoderma and Cladophora sericea, were dominant in Mud Bay. Standing crop of eelgrass was 44 percent greater in Chignik Lagoon (98.0±6.4 grams dry weight per square meter) than in Mud Bay (68.3±6.7 grams dry weight per square meter) in 2010. Five types of macro-invertebrates were assessed during the point survey. At least one of these macro-invertebrates was observed on 45 percent of points in Chignik Lagoon and 64 percent of points in Mud Bay. Gastropods were the most common of the macro-invertebrates, occurring on 40–57 percent of points in each of the embayments. This assessment of eelgrass and seaweeds can serve as a baseline for determining future changes in the distribution and abundance of these marine macrophytes in Chignik Lagoon and Mud Bay.
Suggested Citation
Ward, D.H., Hogrefe, K.R., Donnelly,T.F., Fairchild, L.L., and Britton, R., 2022, Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and seaweed assessment Alaska Peninsula-Becharof National Wildlife Refuges, 2010: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2020–1144, 14 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201144.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results and Discussion
- Future Modeling Needs
- Acknowledgments
- References Cited
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and seaweed assessment Alaska Peninsula-Becharof National Wildlife Refuges, 2010 |
| Series title | Open-File Report |
| Series number | 2020-1144 |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr20201144 |
| Year Published | 2021 |
| 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 | Alaska Peninsula-Becharof National Wildlife Refuges |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |