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Changing estuaries: Assessing changes in water quality and ecosystem goods and services
Citation:
Brown, C. Changing estuaries: Assessing changes in water quality and ecosystem goods and services. Hatfield Marine Science Center Research Summit, Newport, Oregon, October 15, 2019.
Impact/Purpose:
Researchers from the Pacific Coastal Ecology Branch (PCEB) of Pacific Ecological Systems Division will be participating the Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) Research Summit. The goal of the Research Summit is to discuss scientific research conducted by each agency at HMSC and explore opportunities for collaboration. The presentation by PCEB staff will include a summary of unique research facilities at PCEB and estuarine research being conducted on changes in estuarine water quality, habitat, and ecosystem goods and services; as well as a discussion of unique facilities at PCEB and opportunities for collaboration.
Description:
The Pacific Coastal Ecology Branch (PCEB) of the US EPA is conducting research focused on assessing changes in estuarine water quality, habitat, and ecosystem goods and services (EGS) resulting from changes in ocean conditions, atmospheric conditions, and watershed activities. Research includes tracking sources of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and bacteria to coastal systems. By combining water quality data, stable isotope data, microbial source tracking, and watershed models, we are able to identify natural and anthropogenic sources. Using information from riverine and oceanic inputs, combined with in situ monitoring, we evaluate impacts on estuarine water quality including coastal acidification and dissolved oxygen. Utilizing unique state-of-the-art mesocosm facilities, the role of seagrass in moderating coastal acidification is quantified, and seagrass indicators are evaluated. Using empirically collected data, we develop models that estimate habitat associations of harvested estuarine shellfish species and can predict changes in the distribution and provision of EGS based on changes in habitat. We will also present an approach being developed that links habitat condition to ecosystem services production in tidal wetlands for use in restoration effectiveness monitoring.