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Spatial and temporal distributions of benthic green macroalgae in Yaquina bay, Oregon
Citation:
YOUNG, D. R., P. J. CLINTON, D. T. SPECHT, G. Hansen, AND H. LEE, II. Spatial and temporal distributions of benthic green macroalgae in Yaquina bay, Oregon. Presented at Pacific Estuarine Research Society 2011, Astoria, OR, March 03 - 05, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
Coastal estuaries of Oregon, USA, typically support relatively large accumulations of benthic green macroalgae (BGM) during the summer/early fall growing season.
Description:
Coastal estuaries of Oregon, USA, typically support relatively large accumulations of benthic green macroalgae (BGM) during the summer/early fall growing season. This raises questions regarding possible (positive and negative) effects on eelgrass and benthic epifauna and infauna. Here we report results of a multi-year study of cover and biomass of BGM in Yaquina estuary on the central Oregon coast. A year-long survey conducted within six band transects in the lower estuary illustrated the temporal development of this important component (now identified as Ulva spp.) of the benthic ecosystem, and spatial variation within the estuary. Aerial photography surveys of these sites also were conducted utilizing false color near-infrared film between 1997 and 2007 in conjunction with digital orthorectification and image classification. This enabled an assessment of the accuracy of aerial photography and digital classification in mapping BGM distributions over relatively large areas within estuarine systems. A comparison of BGM cover and biomass values with those of the native eelgrass Zostera marina also is presented, as well as with results of studies of BGM from other coastal estuaries around the world. These findings should assist marine ecologists and environmental managers in assessing the degree, and possible effects, of benthic green macroalgae development in coastal estuaries of the Pacific Northwest.