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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Newport, Oregon » Pacific Shellfish Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #410731
Research Project: Improving the Sustainability and Productivity of Shellfish Culture in Pacific Estuaries

Location: Pacific Shellfish Research Unit

Title: Landscape-scale assessment of nekton production in channel-fringing habitats provided by eelgrass and oyster aquaculture

Author
item LEWIS, NATHANIEL - Oregon State University
item Dumbauld, Brett
item RUESINK, JENNIFER - University Of Washington
item BOARDMAN, FIONA - University Of Washington
item McIntyre, Brooke
item BEUGLI, DAVID - Willapa/grays Harbor Oyster Growers Association

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/11/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Estuaries in the northeast Pacific host a unique combination of ecosystem engineers that provide important nursery habitat for juvenile nekton (e.g., fish and shellfish) species, including the economically valuable Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) and English sole (Parophrys vetulus). Among these engineered habitats are native eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds and oyster (Crassostrea gigas) aquaculture, two inextricably linked habitats in estuaries such as Willapa Bay, WA where stakeholders are currently engaged in an ecosystem-based management effort to strike a balance between science, management, and industry. We developed geostatistical models to assess the landscape provision of nekton habitat – an important ecosystem service – by these structured species in Willapa Bay. We first utilized estuary-wide aerial orthoimagery to build an eelgrass classification model, followed by a novel approach to geospatially delineate and categorize shellfish aquaculture beds with input from industry stakeholders. Nekton data from a crossed survey within eelgrass and aquaculture habitats were then analyzed and the results applied to the estuary-scale habitat datasets, with a specific focus on channelfringing habitats and juvenile Dungeness crab production. Our landscape assessment demonstrates the importance of both oyster aquaculture and eelgrass beds to nekton production in Willapa Bay, with each ' Thu, November 16 ' D136 OCC Level 1 ' Oral engineer having a unique contribution to the mosaic of estuarine habitats. Findings further advocate for comprehensive accounting of ecosystem services when considering tradeoffs between habitats in management and permitting.