Record Display for the EPA National Library Catalog

RECORD NUMBER: 21 OF 47

Main Title Long-term changes in the areal extent of tidal marshes, eelgrass meadows and kelp forests of Puget Sound
Author Thom, Ronald M. ; Hallum, L.
Other Authors
Author Title of a Work
Hallum, Loann.
CORP Author Washington Univ., Seattle. Fisheries Research Inst.;Environmental Protection Agency, Seattle, WA. Region X.
Publisher Wetland Ecosystem Team, Fisheries Research Institute, School of Fisheries, University of Washington,
Year Published 1990
Report Number EPA-910-9-91-005; FRI-UW-9008
Stock Number PB92-104496
OCLC Number 23917258
Subjects Tidemarsh flora--Washington (State)--Puget Sound--Geographical distribution ; Marshes, Tide--Washington (State)--Puget Sound ; Zostera marina--Washington (State)--Puget Sound--Geographical distribution ; Kelps--Washington (State)--Puget Sound--Geographical distribution
Additional Subjects Tidal marshes ; Kelp ; Marine plants ; Man-environment interactions ; Environmental effects ; Long term effects ; Washington(State) ; Estuarine environment ; Puget Sound ; Strait of Juan de Fuca ; Dredging ; Species diversity ; San Juan Islands ; Aquatic ecosystems ; Habitats ; Coastal regions ; Spatial distribution ; Wetlands ; Eelgrass
Internet Access
Description Access URL
http://hdl.handle.net/1773/4130
Holdings
Library Call Number Additional Info Location Last
Modified
Checkout
Status
ESAD  EPA-910-9-91-005 3 copies Region 10 Library/Seattle,WA 06/09/2016
NTIS  PB92-104496 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation vii, 108 p. : ill., maps ; 28 cm.
Abstract
Historical and present day records on the distribution of marshes, eelgrass meadows and kelp forests are compiled and compared to evaluate historical changes in these nearshore habitats. The findings of the study are as follows: The most comprehensive records were for tidal marshes, which have decreased 71 percent in area since records made in the 1800s. Much of the loss is due to diking, filling and dredging; Records of eelgrass meadows from before the major influx of humans in the late 1800s were not comprehensive. However, eelgrass losses of 30 percent and 15 percent were estimated for Bellingham Bay and the Snohomish River delta, respectively. Eelgrass cover may have increased by approximately fivefold in Padilla Bay. Kelp has apparently increased approximately 58 percent in Puget Sound and the Straits. The greatest increase in kelp distribution was documented in the most populated areas including the Main Basin and south Puget Sound. Invading species of algae and flowering plants have had a major impact on the distribution of eelgrass and kelp, tideflat and estuarine marsh in some subregions. Recommendations are: Monitor habitats in a quantitative manner; investigate causal factors related to dramatic changes in kelp distribution; develop methods to quantify subtidal eelgrass distribution; investigate factors affecting eelgrass distribution, especially subtidal meadows; incorporate only new quantitative habitat records into a Geographic Information System (GIS) which includes information on water quality and physical site conditions.
Notes
"Final report to Office of Puget Sound, Region 10, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency." "June 1990." "EPA 910/9-91-005." "FRI-UW-9008." Includes bibliographical references (p. 52-55).