Grantee Research Project Results
Retrospective Analysis Of A Multi-Decadal Phytoplankton Time-Series In Naragansett Bay: Stressors, Resilience, Change, And Ecological Thresholds
EPA Grant Number: R832443Title: Retrospective Analysis Of A Multi-Decadal Phytoplankton Time-Series In Naragansett Bay: Stressors, Resilience, Change, And Ecological Thresholds
Investigators: Smayda, Theodore J. , Borkman, David G.
Institution: University of Rhode Island
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2007
Project Amount: $296,574
RFA: Exploratory Research: Understanding Ecological Thresholds In Aquatic Systems Through Retrospective Analysis (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Water
Objective:
A retrospective analysis of a 38-year (1959-1996) phytoplankton and habitat time series in Narragansett Bay based on weekly quantitative measurements will evaluate changes in ecological thresholds induced by patterns and trends in anthropogenic and climate change variables leading to altered short- and long-term behavior observed in phytoplankton biomass and species. The data indicate that the ecosystem resilience and ecological thresholds of Narragansett Bay, a representative coastal marine habitat, have varied over the four decade period of observations.
Four main objectives will be pursued: (1) to detect and identify regime shifts in phytoplankton species and biomass behavior; (2) to quantify phytoplankton community resilience to change and identify phytoplankton change thresholds utilizing an energetic modeling approach (exergy analysis); (3) to test the hypothesis that abrupt ecological switches (thresholds) leading to altered stable states are underlain by a series of intersecting, gradual long-term changes in one or more combinations of physical-chemical and biological parameters (phytoplankton, zooplankton, grazers); (4) to apply a phyotoplankton community ordination approach seeking to develop an “early warning” system presaging regime shifts for use in estuarine systems.
Approach:
These objectives will be achieved through a combination of statistical and time series analyses, ecological and energetic models, and multivariate ordination procedures. The analyses will improve our basic understanding of aquatic ecosystem resilience, thresholds, and the role of external v. internal drivers.
Expected Results:
The results will aid management practices, such as updating monitoring procedures, use of early warning indices, and improved risk assessment. The results will also help to establish whether the global epidemic of harmful algal blooms is symptomatic of disequilibrated coastal ecosystems undergoing transition into a new, stable state, or has lesser ecological significance. Insight into this can influence mitigation strategies.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
esturay, climate, ecosystem health, time series, phytoplankton, zooplankton, algal blooms, stability, threshold, Rhode Island, RI, EPA Region 1,, RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Air, Aquatic Ecosystem, Aquatic Ecosystems & Estuarine Research, Ecological Risk Assessment, Atmosphere, Air Pollution Effects, climate change, Environmental Monitoring, phytoplankton, environmental history, water quality, Narragansett Bay, species interaction, anthropogenic impact, estuarine research, ecological thresholds, ecosystem indicators, modeling ecosystem change, ecosystem stress, riverine ecosystems, ecosystem response, trophic interactions, aquatic ecosystemsProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.