Recent Trends of Zostera marina (Eelgrass) in a Highly Eutrophic Coastal Lagoon in the Mid-Atlantic Region (USA)  

作　　者：Michael J. Kennish Gregg P. Sakowicz Benjamin Fertig Michael J. Kennish;Gregg P. Sakowicz;Benjamin Fertig(Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, USA;Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, Tuckerton, USA;Ronin Institute for Independent Scholarship, Montclair, USA;Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA)

机构地区：[1]Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, USA [2]Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, Tuckerton, USA [3]Ronin Institute for Independent Scholarship, Montclair, USA [4]Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

出　　处：《Open Journal of Ecology》2016年第5期243-253,共11页生态学期刊（英文）

摘　　要：Spatial and temporal characteristics of Zostera marina (eelgrass) in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary are compared before (2004-2011) and after (2012-2013) major fertilizer legislation (Fertilizer Law A2290) was enacted in New Jersey (USA) to reduce nutrient inputs from fertilizers to water bodies in the state. A significant decrease of Z. marina biomass and areal cover occurred in this eutrophic estuary between 2004 and 2011 concomitantly with increasing nitrogen and phosphorus loading from the watershed. The rate of decline in aboveground and belowground biomass was significantly sharper during 2004-2006 than during 2008-2010. In 2010, Z. marina biomass dropped to a very low level (mean aboveground biomass = 7.7 g dry wt m^DŽmean belowground biomass = 27.0 g dry wt m^&#452), persisting through the last sampling period (October-November) in 2013. Biomass and areal cover of Z. marina decreased even further after Fertilizer Law A2290 was enacted in January 2012, with the lowest values recorded from August to November each year. These low values are the result of ongoing eutrophication of the system. More seagrass monitoring and research are necessary in future years to determine if the fertilizer law will have a positive effect on Z. marina condition in the estuary over the long term.Spatial and temporal characteristics of Zostera marina (eelgrass) in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary are compared before (2004-2011) and after (2012-2013) major fertilizer legislation (Fertilizer Law A2290) was enacted in New Jersey (USA) to reduce nutrient inputs from fertilizers to water bodies in the state. A significant decrease of Z. marina biomass and areal cover occurred in this eutrophic estuary between 2004 and 2011 concomitantly with increasing nitrogen and phosphorus loading from the watershed. The rate of decline in aboveground and belowground biomass was significantly sharper during 2004-2006 than during 2008-2010. In 2010, Z. marina biomass dropped to a very low level (mean aboveground biomass = 7.7 g dry wt m^DŽmean belowground biomass = 27.0 g dry wt m^&#452), persisting through the last sampling period (October-November) in 2013. Biomass and areal cover of Z. marina decreased even further after Fertilizer Law A2290 was enacted in January 2012, with the lowest values recorded from August to November each year. These low values are the result of ongoing eutrophication of the system. More seagrass monitoring and research are necessary in future years to determine if the fertilizer law will have a positive effect on Z. marina condition in the estuary over the long term.

关 键 词：Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary Coastal Lagoon Nutrient Enrichment EUTROPHICATION Zostera marina Characteristics Nutrient Reduction Regulation 

分 类 号：P73[天文地球—海洋科学]