Factors related to destruction of eelgrass (Zostera marina) by green crabs (Carcinus maenas) in Maine
Disney JE, Dirks A, Badger M, Williams L, Farrell A, Charabati J, Coyne A, Taylor T. 2014. Factors related to destruction of eelgrass (Zostera marina) by green crabs (Carcinus maenas) in Maine
From official abstract: "Eelgrass has declined in upper Frenchman Bay over the last couple of decades. In 2013 eelgrass was completely absent from the upper bay area. In outer bay areas and elsewhere around Mount Desert Island, eelgrass appeared to remain intact. In order to identify factors that might have contributed to the loss, we examined a number of variables in both types of areas and looked at the correlation with indicators of eelgrass health such as plant abundance, density, the biomass of plants, and plant composition. These variables included nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, ammonia, and silica) in the water column, sediment composition, and genetics and abundance of green crabs. There was a significant difference in silica and nitrogen among sample sites. There was a significant positive correlation with biomass of plants and levels of nitrogen in the water. There was also a significant negative correlation between the density of plants and the percent of silt/clay in the sediment. There was no correlation with eelgrass density, or biomass with the genetic type or the abundance of green crabs in these areas. There may be a combination of factors influencing eelgrass loss, which will require additional studies."
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Disney, Jane; Dirks, Alden; Badger, Mary; Williams, Larissa; Farrell, Anna; Charabati, Jirias; Coyne, Aidan; Taylor, Theodore
- Date of Issue
- 2014
- Units
- ACAD
- Keywords
- ammonia (NH3), genetics, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sediment (marine), silica (SiO2)