Recovery of Eelgrass Zostera marina Following Conversion of Conventional Chain Moorings to Conservation Mooring Systems in Massachusetts: Context-Dependence, Challenges, and Management
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows and boat mooring fields co-occur in nearshore, relatively sheltered embayments. Traditional chain moorings create denuded scars in eelgrass meadows due to repeated and chronic scour of the seafloor by the chain, impacting meadow contiguity and quality. This study assessed the recovery of eelgrass into mooring scars following the conversion of traditional chain moorings to floating rode conservation mooring systems (CMS) in three Massachusetts harbors. The magnitude of eelgrass recovery following the conversion of 21 moorings to floating rode CMS was contingent on the location and positively correlated with the size of the scar associated with the mooring. While most scars started to revegetate following mooring conversion, few experienced complete recoveries and had a persistent denuded halo averaging 2 m in radius around the mooring anchors 5 years post-conversion. We observed CMS gear dragging on the bottom and impacting eelgrass when it was oversized for the depth of the site, and when it was not maintained or cleaned of fouling organisms. Overall, we show that floating rode CMS can be an important tool for eelgrass conservation; however, eelgrass recoveries following mooring conversion to floating rode CMS are variable and incomplete, and challenges pertaining to proper installation and long-term maintenance must be addressed to fully realize this potential.
期刊介绍：
Estuaries and Coasts is the journal of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF). Begun in 1977 as Chesapeake Science, the journal has gradually expanded its scope and circulation. Today, the journal publishes scholarly manuscripts on estuarine and near coastal ecosystems at the interface between the land and the sea where there are tidal fluctuations or sea water is diluted by fresh water. The interface is broadly defined to include estuaries and nearshore coastal waters including lagoons, wetlands, tidal fresh water, shores and beaches, but not the continental shelf. The journal covers research on physical, chemical, geological or biological processes, as well as applications to management of estuaries and coasts. The journal publishes original research findings, reviews and perspectives, techniques, comments, and management applications. Estuaries and Coasts will consider properly carried out studies that present inconclusive findings or document a failed replication of previously published work. Submissions that are primarily descriptive, strongly place-based, or only report on development of models or new methods without detailing their applications fall outside the scope of the journal.
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