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The Influence of Wave Energy and Sediment Transport on Seagrass Distribution

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Abstract

A coupled hydrodynamic and sediment transport model (Delft3D) was used to simulate the water levels, waves, and currents associated with a seagrass (Zostera marina) landscape along a 4-km stretch of coast in Puget Sound, WA, USA. A hydroacoustic survey of seagrass percent cover and nearshore bathymetry was conducted, and sediment grain size was sampled at 53 locations. Wave energy is a primary factor controlling seagrass distribution at the site, accounting for 73% of the variability in seagrass minimum depth and 86% of the variability in percent cover along the shallow, sandy portions of the coast. A combination of numerical simulations and a conceptual model of the effect of sea-level rise on the cross-shore distribution of seagrass indicates that the area of seagrass habitat may initially increase and that wave dynamics are an important factor to consider in predicting the effect of sea-level rise on seagrass distributions in wave-exposed areas.

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Acknowledgments

This study was a multi-disciplinary effort that involved acoustic habitat mapping, instrumented tripod deployment and recovery, and numerical modeling. The numerical modeling would not have been possible without the guidance of Edwin Elias of Deltares. The computational grids used in the hydrodynamics were modified from those created by Noud Schoenmakers as part of his Master’s Thesis at the Technical University at Delft, The Netherlands. Fieldwork for the acoustic habitat component was assisted by Andrew Schwartz of the Washington State Department of Ecology, Collin Smith of the USGS Biological Resource Division, Tom Reiss and Gerry Hatcher of the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC), and Art Pratt at the Possession Point Waterfront Park. The instrument deployment and recovery was aided by Joanne Thede-Ferriera, Hal Williams, and Jamie Grover of the USGS PCMSC. Thanks to Curt Storlazzi and Jon Warrick of the USGS PCMSC and two anonymous reviewers for commenting on an earlier version of this manuscript and to Guy Gelfenbaum (USGS PCMSC) who provided valuable discussions and guidance throughout this project. Funding for this work was provided by the USGS Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound (CHIPS) project and the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program. Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this article is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the US Government.

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  1. US Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, 400 Natural Bridges Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA

    Andrew W. Stevens & Jessica R. Lacy

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  1. Andrew W. Stevens
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Correspondence to Andrew W. Stevens.

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Stevens, A.W., Lacy, J.R. The Influence of Wave Energy and Sediment Transport on Seagrass Distribution. Estuaries and Coasts 35, 92–108 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-011-9435-1

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