Nearshore Marine Systems
Southwest Alaska Network. 2020. Nearshore Marine Systems. Southwest Alaska Network
At the interface between oceans and continents lie nearshore ecosystems, defined by well-known species with well understood ecological relations, where high densities of specialist predators (sea otters, sea ducks, black oystercatchers, sea stars) exist within a diverse and productive system full of kelps and invertebrates that don’t occur in any other habitats. This is the marine ecosystem that is most familiar to and highly valued by society. However, nearshore marine ecosystems face significant challenges at global and regional scales, with threats arising from both the adjacent lands and oceans. Monitoring composition and abundance of species and understanding functional relations in the nearshore ecosystem is essential when responding to and managing present and future threats. The legacy of knowledge provided by prior nearshore science allows us to tease apart human threats from naturally induced causes and provide guidance for management of those valued resources.
- Type
- Resource Brief
- Authors
- Southwest Alaska Network
- Date of Issue
- 2020-03
- Publisher
- Southwest Alaska Network
- Units
- KATM , KEFJ , SWAN
- Keywords
- algae, black oystercatcher, Enhydra lutris, Fucus distichus, Haematopus bachmani, intertidal, invertebrates, kelp, limpet, Lottia, marine, mussels, Mytilus trossulus, Rockweed, sea otters, sea star, starfish
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Marine Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Intertidal Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Marine Invertebrates