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ESIP Journal Entry, December 2009/January 2010
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| A Virginian refuge in mid-coast Maine. The restricted tidal flow over the sill allows water temperatures in the basin above the sill to attain a level sufficient for reproduction of the American oyster and several other Virginian species. |
Effects of Climate Change on the Macroinvertebrate Fauna of the Gulf of Maine: Past, Present and Future
The Gulf of Maine has undergone a rapid and complex geological evolution since the last glaciation and the biological systems have responded accordingly leading to the globally significant patterns of biodiversity that we observe today. Briefly, until about 7,000 years BP the Gulf of Maine was tideless and lagoonal in nature. This allowed for much warmer water temperatures and colonization by warm temperate (Virginian) species from the south. As sea level rose and larger and larger tides developed, the surface waters of the Gulf cooled and the warm temperate species were increasingly restricted in their range within the Gulf. The Gulf of Maine populations of Virginian species, including the American oyster, became disjunct from the main population centers in the mid-Atlantic region. The process has continued until the present time as the tidal range continues to increase with the result that these warm temperate species are now limited to largely undocumented isolated pockets, Virginian refugia, usually near the heads of estuaries, where summer water temperatures still reach levels sufficient for reproduction.
The American oyster is the most significant of these species. It is especially important because of the ecological services it provides. These services include providing habitat space for a myriad of other species including invertebrates and fishes, serving as a food resource for fishes, birds and invertebrates, improving water quality through its legendary filtering ability, as a force in benthic/pelagic coupling, reducing erosion by stabilizing sediments and as a resource species itself. Recent research has shown that secondary productivity in oyster habitat is four times that in any other, including salt marshes and seagrass beds. Oyster reefs globally, however, are one of the most threatened estuarine habitats with over 85% of reefs having been extirpated. Degradation of oyster reefs has resulted in not only the collapse of an important fishery but also the loss of the valuable ecosystem services associated with oyster reefs.
By their very nature, the populations in Virginian refugia are vulnerable. They are limited in areal extent and the resident populations are small. Given their isolated locations at the headwaters of estuaries it is clear that even a limited environmental perturbation could wipe out an entire unique population. Indeed, environmental regulators are unaware of the existence of relict Virginian populations, hence, they are not even considered in the decision making process. Relict Maine American oyster populations have been isolated from the main populations for at least hundreds of years. Living oysters have disappeared from several locations since colonial times. The remaining populations may provide a divergent genetic resource that will be significant in the face of climate change. In addition, it is important to realize that oysters, and their associated faunal community, were the characteristic community of upper estuaries in the Gulf of Maine. This is the same habitat area where the first signals of climate change are likely to be observed along the coastal zone because the freshwaters entering the estuaries will warm faster than the seawater entering estuarine mouths. There is evidence that another Virginian shellfish species, the quahog, Mercenaria mercenaria, is returning to its historical abundance levels in Maine.
A multidisciplinary group of Gulf of Maine marine scientists is endeavoring to provide the critical historical, environmental, and ecological information necessary for protection and restoration of relict Maine American oyster populations and associated Virginian species. The efforts focus on identifying the present distribution, abundance, and population characteristics of the native oyster for the first time. Habitat areas from which oysters have been extirpated in recent history will also be identified, as they may now be suitable for restoring native oysters. For further information contact Peter Larsen at .
ESIP Journal Entry, October/November 2009
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| Leslie Saunders is seen in the field collecting sediments and snails, then Stephen Marklevitz and Peter Walker are seen going up the steps from the beach to the van and are also seen in the fish lab placing sediment in tanks to maintain the animals. Daniel Beach and Leslie are performing some of the chemical analyses in the laboratory. These students were or are enrolled at Dalhousie University as undergraduate or graduate students in the Environmental Programme (LS), Marine Biology/Oceanography (SM), Chemistry (DB) and Microbiology/Immunology (PW). |
Chemistry and behaviour: a balancing act
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, this one is intended as a short story. The photo collage briefly captures the steps behind our development of tools to assess the state of a marine environment. We are interested in the answer to the "so what?" question behind detecting contaminants in sediments. Our work focused on understanding the meaning behind the presence of priority pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) deriving from combustion and fossil fuels. These chemicals are hydrophobic and bind to organic rich particles. Levels of PAH have been shown to increase near shore in the proximity of urbanisation and to be related to, in major part, increased traffic.
Our group developed tests to examine how amphipods residing in sediments react when faced with two choices: sediment obtained from their native location and one being questioned because of the chemical content. After working for many summers to ascertain the validity of our discoveries, it was demonstrated that in the case of 5 out of 7 samples, animals will avoid harbour sediment containing PAH at levels similar to those labelled as "probable effects levels" (PEL) by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. This PEL refers to a 50% probability of developing a toxic response. The bioavailability of the PAH was further determined by analysing the PAH body burden of the amphipods. The level detected in tissue extracts was 1,000 times lower than levels associated with LC50 (lethal concentration to 50% of a population). This is the standard used to readily determine toxicity.
Our group also examined the response of mud snails to the presence of two sediments overlaid with seawater, or to just one overlaid with seawater. The response of snails to stress involves multiple steps. Not only can they escape from sediment by going to the water layer, they can also go to the glass surface of the tank. If they are still experiencing exposure, over time they will flip over from being on their foot to lying on their shell with the soft tissue extended, and then later on to being enclosed within the shell. However, unlike the mud shrimp which can only accumulate the PAH, the snails can also transform it. We are now trying to link the fate of the chemical in tissue extracts to the observed behaviour. This would enable us to predict and ultimately to prevent, further deleterious effects.
The sediment area tested for toxicity was previously linked to the bioaccessibility of contaminants to mussels and numerous ensuing levels of toxicity going from the molecular to the population level. The choice of benthic invertebrates is linked to enhancing the outcomes of three pronged studies where contaminants are analysed in sediments, LC50 are determined using various species and the abundance and variety of benthic inhabitants is determined. The above tool would permit a scientist to establish a cause and effect relationship between chemicals and effects. Therefore it would offer an ability to remedy the state of a site, as deemed necessary.
ESIP Journal Entry, August/September 2009
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| In Duxbury Bay: John Brawley explains oyster nursery methods to a group of scientists and shellfish farmers who were recently visiting New England from Zanzibar, Tanzania. Photo by David Grossman. |
In Duxbury, Massachusetts, oyster farmers have worked closely with the town’s shellfish advisory committee and bay management commission to plan aquaculture practices that avoid environmental disturbance and potential conflicts among the multiple users of the bay. The management plan also recognizes the challenges facing shellfish farmers and includes recommendations that will enhance the success and efficiency of the existing oyster farms. The management plan was developed by multiple town bodies: the bay management commission, the town’s shellfish advisory and agriculture committees, and the Duxbury Shellfish Growers Association. It focuses on a few core interests that include the initiation of a limited-entry aquaculture licensing process that would reduce the risk of uncontrolled growth of aquaculture in potentially sensitive areas. The plan also recommended the organization of a citizen’s volunteer monitoring program that would track water quality and other environmental conditions within Duxbury Bay. This effort continues with participation from individuals within the oyster farming industry and the town has recently been awarded federal and state grants to support the bay monitoring program.
The success of shellfish farming in Duxbury has resulted in numerous benefits to the community and beyond. The annual Island Creek Oyster Festival, held each September on Duxbury Beach, is more than a culinary/arts community event; it generates funds that are used to enhance local, regional, and international environmental and philanthropic projects. One project being planned this year is the establishment of a shellfish hatchery in Zanzibar (Tanzania) to support local food production and economic development efforts. Over the next year or two, scientists and shellfish farmers from both countries will exchange ideas, information, and expertise toward fulfilling the goal of providing a clean, sustainable source of protein to several communities within Zanzibar. It all started with an idea.
ESIP Journal Entry, March/April 2009
Thierry Chopin and his team received the prestigious Synergy Award for Innovation from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
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Beyond the monetary value of the award ($200,000 plus the hiring of 2 industrial research and development fellows for two years for a total value of $360,000), what is most important to Thierry Chopin is the recognition that the concept promoted by his interdisciplinary team over the last 7 years is becoming more and more accepted and their tireless work is finally bearing its fruit.
Aquaculture already produces more than 40 % of the seafood consumed worldwide. To continue to supply the demand, aquaculture needs to continue to grow, but it must develop innovative, responsible, sustainable and profitable practices that will optimize its efficiency, diversify its products and help reduce the impacts of its activities. One such practice is IMTA, which combines the cultivation of fed species (fish) with that of species extracting dissolved inorganic nutrients (seaweeds) and that of species extracting the particulate organic matter (shellfish) for a balanced approach to ecosystem management.
With IMTA, part of the food and energy considered to be waste and lost in fish monoculture are reused and converted for the growth of other crops of commercial value, while allowing biomitigation to take place and substantial savings to be made on feed. That way all the components of the aquaculture system have a role in the processes and recycling services of the ecosystem. Product diversification brings economic stability and reduces risks. Environmental and economic advantages of IMTA should also contribute to an improved societal acceptance of the aquaculture industry.
"We are extremely delighted to have received this award, which clearly demonstrates that R&D in aquaculture is very competitive and can be celebrated. We are participating in the evolution of the Blue Revolution by making it greener!" says Thierry Chopin, with a big smile.
More information can be obtained at: http://www.unbsj.ca/sase/biology/chopinlab/
ESIP Journal Entry, January/February 2009
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This on-going project was initiated in the fall of 2006, and has served as a spring board for several undergraduate research projects. Dr. Sulikowski and his students have used a variety of methods to sample the Saco River area in Maine, using beam trawls, otter trawls, beach seines, gillnets, and ichthyoplankton nets.
To date, this research has yielded some surprising results. So far, fifteen species of larval fish, including cusk, which is a species of concern, and harvest fish, which is rare for this area, have been important finds in the ichthyoplankton surveys. Likewise, the surveys for macro fauna have also yielded interesting results. So far over twenty species have been identified within the estuarine portions of the river. These include Atlantic sturgeon, smelt, and blueback herring which are all considered species of concern. Even more interesting is the fact that all species captured to date have been juveniles, which suggests this geographic area may play an important role as a nursery ground.
Sulikowski s research is an important contribution to the efforts of the Gulf of Maine Council. In Action Goal 1 (Coastal and marine habitats are in a healthy, productive and resilient condition), the Council specifically focuses upon habitat restoration. The Council emphasizes habitats damaged by past human activities can be restored so they contribute to a properly functioning ecosystem.
What remains to be done? Dr. Sulikowski plans to continue this monitoring study for as long as possible. In addition, an acoustic array will be deployed in order to track the movement patterns of Atlantic sturgeon within the lower Saco River Watershed. This, along with deciphering the biotic and abiotic factors that are contributing to the nursery area, will keep Dr. Sulikowski and his students busy for quite some time. For more information, contact Dr. James Sulikowski at .
ESIP Journal Entry, November/December 2008
Submitted by:
Andy Sharpe, Science Coordinator
Clean Annapolis River Project
151 Victoria Street, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada, B0S 1A0
902 532 7533
Garlic Mustard Management in Nova Scotia
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In the spring and summer of 2008, Clean Annapolis River Project (CARP), working with Parks Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (NSTIR), initiated a garlic mustard management project in Grand Pré. Project activities included mapping of the core and satellite garlic mustard populations, hand-pulling second-year flowering plants at satellite locations and along road side ditches, developing best management practices (BMP) for right-of-way maintenance and preparing a management plan for the garlic mustard population at Grand Pré.
The Gulf of Maine Action Plan recognizes that invasive alien species, both terrestrial and aquatic, pose a major threat to biodiversity, the integrity of ecosystems and the economy. Beyond attempting to control the spread of this invasive plant, the project sought to raise awareness in the local community of the threat posed with alien species, with 119 households being directly contacted.
Due to the reservoir of seeds within garlic mustard infestations, successful control efforts in other jurisdictions have required concerted efforts over at least three to five years. Parks Canada and the NSTIR have indicated their willingness to continue control efforts in the Grand Pré area. Over the coming months, discussions will be held with other partners to identify lead agencies for the 2009 season.
The efforts to control the garlic mustard infestation at Grand Pré has highlighted the challenges of initiating rapid and coordinated response to introductions of invasive species. Partly as a result of this experience, the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Working Group is holding a conference at Acadia University (December 3 & 4) to discuss the establishment of an Invasive Species Council for the province. For more information, contact Andy Sharpe, CARP, 902 532 7533,
ESIP Journal Entry, September/October 2008
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| In order to study how contaminants may have an affect to the North Atlantic Right Whale we focus our studies on investigating if a compound causes DNA damage. Represented in the picture is North Atlantic Right Whale chromosomes in which they have 42 chromosomes; unlike us humans who have 46. In our experiments we expose the Right Whale cells to a certain chemical and analyze each chromosome for damage (breaks, gaps, centrosome spreading etc.). |
We have found that hexavalent chromium is genotoxic to right whale testis, lung and skin cells. Moreover, using North Atlantic right whale skin biopsies, we have found that the whales have very high chromium levels. These chromium levels previously have only been reported in lung tissue occupationally exposed chromium workers. Although it is unknown how the whales are exposed it does indicate that chromium is a concern.
These studies will greatly enhance our knowledge of the physiology and toxicology of the right whale. Moreover, it will create tools (cell lines) that can serve as right whale-specific models, which can be used to better understand additional aspects of right whale genetics, physiology, immunology and biochemistry, as well as investigations into the effects of other contaminants and infectious agents. It will also allow us to evaluate the levels of contaminants found in the Gulf of the Maine by using the North Atlantic Right Whale as a sentinel species.
Our future work will be concentrated on furthering and completing our contaminant work in the North Atlantic Right Whale. We will continue to collaborate with the New England Aquarium on the right whales and also with Ocean Alliance, with whom we will study free ranging sperm whales. With our future data we hope to gain more knowledge on the toxicology of whales and what contaminants they are being exposed to off of the coast of Maine.
Contact information:
John P. Wise
ESIP Journal Entry, December 2007/January 2008
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| Gary Lines, Environment Canada, preparing data sets depicting future climate change. Photo Courtesy of Anne Warburton, Environment Canada, Nov 07. |
"Understanding the impact of climate change has always been a collaborative research effort and that is most evident in current work on climate change indicators for the Ecosystem Indicators Partnership (ESIP). Climate researchers at the University of New Hampshire, communications experts at non-profit Clean Air Cool Planet and atmospheric scientists at Environment Canada expanded work that had begun as a study of climate trends in the Northeast United States."
"The results covered a geographical area that included the northeast US as well as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island thus treating that area as a unified region with respect to climatological change. Such results will help inform ecosystem managers of these changes so that it can be incorporated in planning procedures for the next 25-50 year timeframe."
This group's research included data supplied by Environment Canada as well as results Lines and his colleagues had generated for the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Such research is an important contribution to the efforts of the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment. In the Council's Action Plan 2007-2012, Goal 1 ("Coastal and marine habitats are in a healthy, productive and resilient condition") contains at least seven separate activities directly related to expanding our understanding of climate change in the marine environment.
What are the next steps for this group? The Indicator results will be expanded to include future projections and profiled to reflect changes that would direct impact on many of the Gulf of Maine habitat priorities. As Chair of the Climate Change working Group in ESIP, Mr. Lines will continue to bring the Canadian perspective to the table and collaborate with US colleagues in generating relevant results for the Gulf of Maine Marine Environment. For more information, contact Gary Lines at 902-426-5739.
ESIP Journal Entry, October 2007
In this journal entry, Adria Elskus, a research biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), reports on collecting fish, worms, and bivalves in August 2007 from areas above and below the Veazie and Great Works Dams along the Penobscot River in Maine. These dams are slated for removal, opening greater reaches of the river for migration of native fish, specifically the Atlantic salmon.
Read journal entry
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USGS biologist Adria Elskus, who is studying contaminant levels in fishes and invertebrates in the Penobscot River and other rivers in the Gulf of Maine watershed, dissects a fish specimen. |
ESIP and the Climate Change Network joint meeting
The Ecosystem Indicator Partnership (ESIP) and Climate Change Network held a successful joint meeting on June 11, 2007, in New Brunswick. Thanks to the energy and ideas of the attendees, ESIP has advanced significantly towards the short-term goal of deciding upon two or three initial priority indicators in each of the six focus areas (contaminants, coastal development, climate change, aquatic habitats, eutrophication, and fisheries/aquaculture). You can access two of the presentations given at the meeting and a summary of the ESIP portion of the meeting through the links provided below. If you have specific questions or would like to join in this process, please contact Christine Tilburg.
- Ecosystem Indicator Partnership: Where are we going and how can we get there? (PowerPoint, 2.12 MB)
Presenter: Christine Tilburg, ESIP Program Manager - Coastal Impacts and Adaptation Issues (PowerPoint, 1.5 MB)
Presenter: Gary Lines, Climate Change Meteorologist, Meteorological Service of Canada Atlantic - Summary of ESIP portion of meeting (Word, 30 KB)
ESIP and the Climate Change Network launch
ESIP and the Climate Change Network announce an upcoming joint meeting on June 11, 2007, in New Brunswick. The ESIP portion of the meeting will focus on work in the six ESIP subcommittees (climate change, contaminants, coastal development, eutrophication, fisheries/aquaculture, and aquatic habitats) to determine initial 2-3 indicators for publishing in regional reporting. Discussions will also focus on the specific effects that climate change might have on indicators in the Gulf of Maine. Attendance at the ESIP/CNN event is free but space is limited. Please submit the registration form (PDF, 34 KB) and book your room with the Fairmont Algonquinn. For specific information on the agenda or ride and room sharing, please contact Christine Tilburg.
Request for Proposals (RFP) for geospatial mapping application
The Ecosystem Indicator Partnership (ESIP) has released a technical development vendor Request for Proposal (RFP) for the current GeoConnections project. The primary goal of this project is to deliver an innovative geospatial application to the coastal management and decision-making community in the Gulf of Maine, which will help them understand the status and trends of important ecosystem data as well as assess the efficacy of their management efforts regarding coastal pollution. The Technical Development Vendor selected through this RFP process will be responsible for the implementation of Open Geospatial Consortium web mapping and web feature services on selected datasets and for developing the geospatial application.
Meet the new ESIP program manager
Christine Tilburg starts her new role as ESIP Program Manager on February 8, 2007. Christine has just moved from Georgia to Maine with her family. "For a number of years, my husband and I have hoped to permanently move to Maine. Now that we are in Maine, I have been given the opportunity to start my dream job. I am delighted to be part of the Ecosystem Indicators Partnership Committee. My interest in understanding human impacts to the environment began when I was a young girl. As an eighth grader, I designed a study of nutrients along highways for a science fair. Throughout graduate school and my past jobs, I've remained focused on environmental responses. I look forward to working with the talented and committed members of the ESIP Committee and the Gulf of Maine Council helping them bring their vision of a healthy marine environment to the people of the region. Together, step by step, we can implement the 2007-2012 Action Plan."
Thanks to Ray Konisky, 2006 ESIP program manager, for his fine work. Best wishes to Ray on his new position with The Nature Conservancy's New Hampshire chapter. Ray will continue his affiliation with ESIP as a member of the habitat indicators subcommittee.
ESIP overview | Vision statement and core principles | Data | Events and documents