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Marine Benthic Communities of Block Island and Rhode Island Sounds and What they're Good For
Citation:
HALE, S. S. AND S. Pratt. Marine Benthic Communities of Block Island and Rhode Island Sounds and What they're Good For. Presented at Annual Meeting of Rhode Island Natural History Survey, North Kingstown, RI, April 23, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
To explore using ongoing benthic habitat mapping in Rhode Island and Block Island Sounds for enumerating ecosystem services provided by benthic communities
Description:
The benthic invertebrates of Block Island and Rhode Island Sounds include those adapted to near-shore habitats with variable temperature and salinity, mid-shelf species with narrower requirements, and boreal species that avoid elevated temperatures. Studies of benthic fauna in the Sounds began with Verrill and others in 1871 and continued with studies of invertebrate species collected for food or of value as food for fish species. Recent studies related to effects of fishing gear, disposal of dredge spoil and bridge debris, and siting of power generators and lines have provided new information on the distribution of benthos and the hydrography, sediment parameters, and near-bottom dynamics of near-shore shelf environments. In addition to productive commercial and recreational fisheries, the rich benthic communities of these Sounds provide other benefits to human welfare. Some of the benefits that have been measured elsewhere include water filtration, nutrient recycling, carbon sequestration, human waste processing, bottom stabilization, shoreline protection, and fish nursery habitat. We plan to map the major habitats and benthic assemblages of the Sounds using historical data and material collected as part of the RISAMP plan.