Journal article
Identifying factors that influence expression of eutrophication in a central California estuary
Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek), v 439, U71
01 Jan 2011
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Coastal eutrophication models have proposed that various environmental conditions can serve as filters mediating the effects of nutrient loading on coastal ecosystems. Variation in such filters due to natural or anthropogenic causes can potentially lead to varied responses in overall eutrophication expression as well as in individual eutrophication indicators. In this study, we sought to identify factors that affect eutrophication expression at contrasting sites within one nutrient-loaded estuary in central California. We developed and applied a eutrophication expression index to 18 sites in the Elkhorn Slough estuary and then used principal components analysis of environmental drivers (nutrients) and filters to determine how they relate to overall eutrophication expression as well as to individual eutrophication indicators. We also examined the relationship between one key filter, tidal range, and eutrophication indicators. Elkhorn Slough was determined to be a moderately eutrophic estuary, with individual sites varying from being low to hypereutrophic. Eutrophication expression was explained mostly by tidal range, depth, temperature, salinity, distance to estuary mouth, and turbidity, but not by nutrient concentrations. Tidal range in particular correlated strongly with most eutrophication indicators. Sites with artificially dampened tidal range through water control structures were more eutrophic than sites with full tidal exchange. Results from this study emphasize the importance of filters in mediating the negative ecological effects of eutrophication. Coastal managers can decrease eutrophication expression at a local scale by managing for filters (e. g. increasing tidal exchange to managed wetlands), complementing efforts to reduce eutrophication at a regional scale by decreasing nutrient loading.
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Details
- Title
- Identifying factors that influence expression of eutrophication in a central California estuary
- Creators
- Brent B. Hughes - University of California, Santa CruzJohn C. Haskins - Elkhorn Slough Natl Estuarine Res Reserve, Watsonville, CA 95076 USAKerstin Wasson - Elkhorn Slough Natl Estuarine Res Reserve, Watsonville, CA 95076 USAElizabeth Watson - Elkhorn Slough Natl Estuarine Res Reserve, Watsonville, CA 95076 USA
- Publication Details
- Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek), v 439, U71
- Publisher
- Inter-Research
- Number of pages
- 25
- Grant note
- California Environmental Protection Agency 20060387 / Monterey Community Foundation PG&E special projects non-point source pollution grant Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) Elkhorn Slough Foundation Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Estuarine Reserve division of the NOAA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000296068200003
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-80054973181
- Other Identifier
- 991019298729204721
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InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Ecology
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- Oceanography