Download or read book Impact of Sediment Augmentation on Plant and Invertebrate Communities in a Southern California Coastal Wetland written by Kaelin J. McAtee and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 88 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: As sea levels rise, management strategies are needed to protect coastal wetlands from increased inundation. Sediment augmentation is a strategy in which a layer of sediment is sprayed across the marsh to raise the marsh's elevation and reduce inundation. This study looks at the short-term impact of sediment augmentation on vegetation and invertebrate communities. Abiotic measurements, invertebrate cores, and plant parameters were analyzed before and after augmentation in a before-after-control-impact (BACI) design. Following augmentation there was a significant decrease in plant cover and invertebrate abundance. The community composition of invertebrates shifted from a dominance of oligochaetes and polychaetes to insects and insect larvae. At six months following augmentation, Salicornia bigelovii began growing throughout the augmentation area, and Spartina foliosa had returned via vegetative spread at the edges of the marsh. Detailing these changes provides information on the ecological impacts of sediment augmentation for this site and inform regional management strategies.
Download or read book Wetland Plant Influence on Sediment Ecosystem Structure and Trophic Function written by Christine René Whitcraft and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Vascular plants were studied under different scenarios of change: experimental manipulation of cover, invasion, and response to flushing regimes. I tested the hypothesis that wetland plants alter benthic communities through modification of abiotic factors, with cascading effects on microalgae and invertebrate communities. Major plant effects were observed in all systems studied, but the magnitude of, mechanisms behind, and exact consequences of plant alterations depended on the particular combination of physical and biological stresses within the habitat along the marine to terrestrial continuum. Manipulation of plant cover and light regime, combined with natural abundance isotope studies in a mid-elevation salt marsh of Mission Bay, CA revealed how two dominant plants, Spartina foliosa and Sarcocornia pacifica (formally Salicornia virginica), regulate light, temperature, and moisture, thereby influencing the abundance of benthic diatoms and the relative importance of microalgal-feeding invertebrates. Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.), normally a freshwater invader that has recently colonized the salt marsh in Tijuana Estuary, was studied in 3 marsh zones with mensurative benthic assessment techniques and stable isotope enrichment experiments. Results demonstrate that this plant has (1) impacted the mid-marsh environment most, (2) accelerated salt marsh succession towards a more terrestrial environment by creating drier, less organic-rich sediments and an altered macroinvertebrate community (decreased densities of gastropods and marine oligochaetes, more insects) and (3) entered the food web through a broad range of invertebrate consumers. Using similar approaches, the ephemeral seagrass, Ruppia maritima, abundant in lagoons during periods of inlet closure, was also shown to play a key trophic role in structuring wetlands in southern California. Results of faunal characterization and isotope enrichment studies within San Dieguito Lagoon suggest that food webs in these environments are driven by detrital and epiphytic production. Increased representation of detritivores in R. maritima habitats relative to unvegetated mudflat appears linked to animal feeding preferences and the ability of consumers to utilize R. maritima. In summary, this research developed several experimental methods by which to isolate structuring mechanisms of vascular plants in wetlands and allowed us to make generalizations across abiotic gradients in salt marsh ecosystems.
Download or read book Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1992-01-01 with total page 580 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Aldo Leopold, father of the "land ethic," once said, "The time has come for science to busy itself with the earth itself. The first step is to reconstruct a sample of what we had to begin with." The concept he expressedâ€"restorationâ€"is defined in this comprehensive new volume that examines the prospects for repairing the damage society has done to the nation's aquatic resources: lakes, rivers and streams, and wetlands. Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems outlines a national strategy for aquatic restoration, with practical recommendations, and features case studies of aquatic restoration activities around the country. The committee examines: Key concepts and techniques used in restoration. Common factors in successful restoration efforts. Threats to the health of the nation's aquatic ecosystems. Approaches to evaluation before, during, and after a restoration project. The emerging specialties of restoration and landscape ecology.
Download or read book Impact of water level changes on woody riparian and wetland communities written by and published by . This book was released on 1980 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Effect of Sediment Placement for Sea Level Rise Adaptation on Suspended Sediment Concentrations in a Southern Californian Salt Marsh written by Amanda Julia Zhang Wagner and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: California's coastal wetlands provide valuable ecosystem services to the environment, including sequestering carbon, improving water quality, and providing habitat for many endangered species. Yet due to sea level rise the future of coastal wetlands is in question. Sediment placement is a new and promising technique that aims to help coastal wetlands combat sea level rise. We measured suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) and volatile suspended solids (VSS) at the marsh surface of experimental and control sites one week, one month, three months, six months, and one year after sediment addition. SSC on the experimental and control sites was initially high, but then it decreased and remained low. VSS was lower at the experimental site than the control site for the first three sampling periods and similar for the remainder of the year. This is the first study to evaluate SSC and VSS changes associated with sediment placement.
Download or read book Environmental Science in the Coastal Zone written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1994-02-01 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book assesses the dimensions of our scientific knowledge as it applies to environmental problems in the coastal zone. The volume contains 10 papers that cover different aspects of science, management, and public policy concerning the coastal zone. A consensus is presented on several key issues confronting science for developing a more holistic approach in managing this region's intense human activities and important natural resources.
Download or read book The Ecology of the Southern California Bight written by Southern California Coastal Water Research Project and published by . This book was released on 1973 with total page 531 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Annual Report written by Southern California Coastal Water Research Project and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Coastal Squeeze of Vegetation Zones in the Los Cerritos Wetlands written by Jeff A. Cope and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: This project assesses the elevation of several vegetation zones of the Los Cerritos Wetlands in Southern California to determine the possible effects of sea level rise on the salt marsh vegetation, the foundation of coastal salt marsh ecology. Steamshovel Sough in the Los Cerritos Wetland contains ideal habitat for the project. This coastal salt marsh is unique in that it abuts artificial elevation gradients of urban development on all sides. The confined nature of the wetland restricts its ability to adjust to future sea levels, a process known as coastal squeeze, which calls the sustainability of this scarce ecosystem into question. In-situ surveying of indicator species Parrish's Glasswort and Pacific Cordgrass (Arthrocnemum subterminale and Spartina foliosa) revealed the habitat elevations above sea level. Modelling various sea level rise scenarios using the habitat ranges determined through in-site surveying reveal expected future habitat zones. Los Cerritos Wetland has a notable susceptibility to sea level rise because of topographic convolutions created by local urban development. One and two foot sea level rise scenarios project substantial zone shifts resulting in pronounced winners and losers. The results here highlight the delicacy of the marsh and its intimate relationship to sea level, and hold a powerful utility to restoration project managers seeking to create a salt marsh that reflects the natural distribution of various habitats and which possesses longevity in the face of the changing environment.
Download or read book California s Coastal Wetlands written by Sana Siwolop and published by . This book was released on 1979 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Impacts of Agricultural Drainwater and Contaminants on Wetlands at Kesterson Reservoir California written by Carol A. Schuler and published by . This book was released on 1987 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Kesterson Reservoir (Kesterson) received subsurface agricultural drainwater containing high levels of salts and other minerals from farmland in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Aquatic plants and invertebrates were sampled at Kesterson in May, August, and December of 1984. The reservoir supported a different biota and lower species diversity than a nearby control site (Volta WMA). Kesterson had a greater plant and seed biomass while Volta had a greater invertebrate abundance. Submergent habitat at Kesterson was dominated by widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima) whilte Volta was dominated by horned pondweed (Zannichellia palustris). Several aquatic invertebrates, including Amphipoda, Eylais, Gastropoda, Neomysis, Hirundinea, and Belostomatidae were common at Volta but were never observed at Kesterson. Kesterson supported a greater abundance of diatoms (Nitzschia), Oligochaeta, Ephydridae, Stratiomyidae, Tabanidae, and Syrphidae while these were rarely encountered at Volta. Community stru.
Download or read book Impacts of Human Trampling and Periodic Sand Inundation on Southern California Intertidal Algal Turf Communities written by Tonya Michelle Huff and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 201 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Natural and anthropogenic disturbances are important structuring agents in rocky intertidal communities. Here, the impacts of disturbance in the form of human trampling and periodic sand inundation on the invertebrates and algae of coralline algal turf communities were evaluated. First, a preliminary observational study of the turf communities at eight rocky intertidal sites indicated that differences in invertebrate community composition, diversity, and abundances existed among sites and sampling times. Density and diversity were highest in an area that has been closed to public use and lowest at the most heavily visited sites. In order to quantify the timing and extent of sand inundations to a rocky intertidal area, observations of sand depth were made along a large, permanent grid system for 21 months. Inundations of sediment were relatively rapid and lasted on the order of one to two months, while erosion was equally rapid. The presence of sand was negatively correlated to the maximum significant wave height for that time period. The use of time-lapse video proved to be an efficient method for collecting vast amounts of data regarding patterns of human visitation to the rocky intertidal. It was observed that the amount of visitation was highly site-specific. Time of day and week were more important predictors of visitation than was the height of the tide. The coralline turf invertebrate communities exhibited rapid responses to disturbance in manipulative studies, but also appeared to recover rapidly. An acute, or "pulse", disturbance in the form of controlled sand addition caused an immediate exodus of highly mobile taxa and then a gradual increase in psammophilic (sand-loving) gastropods. A more continuous, or "press", disturbance in the form of human trampling caused a decrease in density and diversity of coralline turf invertebrates. In both cases, a return to control abundances occurred within one to nine months, indicating a resilient system. The results of these studies fill an important gap in the knowledge of the natural history of rocky intertidal communities and the processes which shape them. Additionally, the techniques and results presented here will be valuable for future management decisions in protected coastal areas.
Download or read book Riparian Areas written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2002-10-10 with total page 449 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that wetlands be protected from degradation because of their important ecological functions including maintenance of high water quality and provision of fish and wildlife habitat. However, this protection generally does not encompass riparian areasâ€"the lands bordering rivers and lakesâ€"even though they often provide the same functions as wetlands. Growing recognition of the similarities in wetland and riparian area functioning and the differences in their legal protection led the NRC in 1999 to undertake a study of riparian areas, which has culminated in Riparian Areas: Functioning and Strategies for Management. The report is intended to heighten awareness of riparian areas commensurate with their ecological and societal values. The primary conclusion is that, because riparian areas perform a disproportionate number of biological and physical functions on a unit area basis, restoration of riparian functions along America's waterbodies should be a national goal.
Download or read book Wetland Creation and Restoration written by Jon A. Kusler and published by . This book was released on 1990 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a preliminary evaluation of the status of the science of wetland creation and restoration in the United States. It contains a series of regional reviews. Each review summarizes wetland creation and restoration experiences in broadly defined wetland regions (e.g. Pacific coastal wetlands, wooded wetlands of the Southeast). It also includes a series of theme papers, covering a wide range of topics of general application to wetland creation and restoration (hydrology, management techniques, planning).
Download or read book Impacts of Construction Activities in Wetlands of the United States written by Rezneat M. Darnell and published by . This book was released on 1976 with total page 444 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Ecology and the Environment written by Russell K. Monson and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-10-02 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this book, plant biology is considered from the perspective of plants and their surrounding environment, including both biotic and abiotic interactions. The intended audience is undergraduate students in the middle or final phases of their programs of study. Topics are developed to provide a rudimentary understanding of how plant-environment interactions span multiple spatiotemporal scales, and how this rudimentary knowledge can be applied to understand the causes of ecosystem vulnerabilities in the face of global climate change and expansion of natural resource use by human societies. In all chapters connections are made from smaller to larger scales of ecological organization, providing a foundation for understanding plant ecology. Where relevant, environmental threats to ecological systems are identified and future research needs are discussed. As future generations take on the responsibility for managing ecosystem goods and services, one of the most effective resources that can be passed on is accumulated knowledge of how organisms, populations, species, communities and ecosystems function and interact across scales of organization. This book is intended to provide some of that knowledge, and hopefully provide those generations with the ability to avoid some of the catastrophic environmental mistakes that prior generations have made.
Download or read book Forest and Rangeland Soils of the United States Under Changing Conditions written by Richard V. Pouyat and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-09-02 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book synthesizes leading-edge science and management information about forest and rangeland soils of the United States. It offers ways to better understand changing conditions and their impacts on soils, and explores directions that positively affect the future of forest and rangeland soil health. This book outlines soil processes and identifies the research needed to manage forest and rangeland soils in the United States. Chapters give an overview of the state of forest and rangeland soils research in the Nation, including multi-decadal programs (chapter 1), then summarizes various human-caused and natural impacts and their effects on soil carbon, hydrology, biogeochemistry, and biological diversity (chapters 2–5). Other chapters look at the effects of changing conditions on forest soils in wetland and urban settings (chapters 6–7). Impacts include: climate change, severe wildfires, invasive species, pests and diseases, pollution, and land use change. Chapter 8 considers approaches to maintaining or regaining forest and rangeland soil health in the face of these varied impacts. Mapping, monitoring, and data sharing are discussed in chapter 9 as ways to leverage scientific and human resources to address soil health at scales from the landscape to the individual parcel (monitoring networks, data sharing Web sites, and educational soils-centered programs are tabulated in appendix B). Chapter 10 highlights opportunities for deepening our understanding of soils and for sustaining long-term ecosystem health and appendix C summarizes research needs. Nine regional summaries (appendix A) offer a more detailed look at forest and rangeland soils in the United States and its Affiliates.
