Abstract Detail

Physiology

Thorhaug, Anitra [1], poulos, Helen Mills [2].

Effect of Rivers on tropical seagrass: South Central Puerto Rico.

A study was undertaken to ascertain the sustainability of seagrasses as influenced by the following South Puerto Rico rivers: Rios Loco, Mathilde, Portugues, Buccano, Descalabrado, and Coamo from Guanica in west to Santa Isabel in east. We first created a remote mapping with resultant “normal” plumes and “extreme “ plume (which was a high wind event over 110mph with associated precipitation events such as hurricanes). The field study included spectral reflectance of each site/station seagrass to ascertain health, biomass, abundance of seagrass and abundance and species of associated macro-algae. This was sampled at 5 stations within each site: at river mouths, half-way to “normal” plume edge, near normal plume edge, near “high wind event” edge and at a control beyond the plumes. The results throughout showed differences among “normal plume” river effected and the unaffected areas beyond the river’s impact. The biomass, abundance, species composition and health differed significantly. The amount of seagrass effected by the 6 riverine output will be discussed. A further study was undertaken to ascertain where corridors to sustain seagrass–coral habitat interaction might be established for sustaining both foundation habitats for potential fish and invertebrate combined habitat. These results were presented and discussed with a series of suggested measures for sustaining seagrass with several types of stakeholders to whom this information should be useful : the State and Federal resource managers, infrastructure and land managers in Puerto Rico, industries and mining, municipalities, agriculture (including coffee and row crop growers), and citizens and citizen groups. Some of these groups are in process of discussions in terms of activating solutions to sustaining seagrass and their related coral.

1 - Yale University , School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, 390 Prospect , new Haven , CT , 00561, USA
2 - Wesleyan University, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Middletown , CT, USA

Keywords:
Seagrass pollution
Tropical Seagrass
Thalassia testudinum
Halodule wrightii
River pollution
river effect on seagrass.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 9, Physiology
Location: 104/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 1:45 PM
Number: 9002
Abstract ID:597
Candidate for Awards:None