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Context-Dependent Eelgrass–Macroalgae Interactions Along an Estuarine Gradient in the Pacific Northwest, USA

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Abstract

Land-based eutrophication is often associated with blooms of green macroalgae, resulting in negative impacts on seagrasses. The generality of this interaction has not been studied in upwelling-influenced estuaries where oceanic nutrients dominate seasonally. We conducted an observational and experimental study with Zostera marina L. and ulvoid macroalgae across an estuarine gradient in Coos Bay, Oregon. We found a gradient in mean summer macroalgal biomass from 56.1 g dw 0.25 m−2 at the marine site to 0.3 g dw 0.25 m−2 at the riverine site. Despite large macroalgal blooms at the marine site, eelgrass biomass exhibited no seasonal or interannual declines. Through experimental manipulations, we found that pulsed additions of macroalgae biomass (+4,000 mL) did not affect eelgrass in marine areas, but it had negative effects in riverine areas. In upwelling-influenced estuaries, the negative effects of macroalgal blooms are context dependent, affecting the management of seagrass habitats subject to nutrient inputs from both land and sea.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to all the supportive field and lab help associated with this research: at Oregon State University—O. Moulton, P. Zarnetske, J. Henderson, L. Wisehart, D. Eerkes-Medrano, S. McConville, W. Rice-Narusch, H. Bailey, J. Schaefers, M. Rogers, B. Dumbauld, and L. McCoy; SS NERR—A. Helms and A. DeMarzo; and R advice—T. Gouhier. This manuscript was greatly improved by reviewer comments. Research was funded from an award from the National Estuarine Reserve System, Estuarine Reserves Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean Service, NOAA. Additional financial support for this research was provided by Oregon State University Department of Zoology and the Hacker and Menge Labs.

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  1. Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Margot L. Hessing-Lewis, Sally D. Hacker & Bruce A. Menge

  2. South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Charleston, OR, 97420, USA

    Steve S. Rumrill

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  1. Margot L. Hessing-Lewis
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  2. Sally D. Hacker
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Correspondence to Margot L. Hessing-Lewis.

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Hessing-Lewis, M.L., Hacker, S.D., Menge, B.A. et al. Context-Dependent Eelgrass–Macroalgae Interactions Along an Estuarine Gradient in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Estuaries and Coasts 34, 1169–1181 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-011-9412-8

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