Pendrell Sound Monitoring Project 2010

Background

Despite the importance of larval dispersal, settlement and recruitment to population dynamics, a complete understanding of the interaction of dispersive and settlement supply-side processes is lacking(1). Largely due to the microscopic size of marine larvae and potentially vast distances they can travel(2), we know surprisingly little about the processes and mechanisms of dispersal, settlement and recruitment in real ecosystems and how these translate to population dynamics. Comprehension of this entire supply-side process is necessary for planning marine protected areas, sustainable management of coastal resources and prediction of the impacts of climate change. Long-term datasets are of particular importance to understanding complex ecological processes, as they allow us to discern physical and biological processes that govern dynamics of recruitment success.

One such dataset, dating back to 1959, exists for Pendrell Sound, British Columbia wherein a detailed annual record of oyster larval dynamics, settlement and recruitment and corresponding physical and biological characteristics of the sound are documented(3). Pendrell Sound is also of particular interest as it is the only known population of the profitable commercial species of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) that reproduces in significant numbers in BC. Marine intertidal and coastal regions worldwide have high economic and ecological value and threats from human-induced climate change are creating urgent need for sustainable and responsible management of these areas(4). By continuing to collect data from the Pendrell Sound region we can make use of this rare and valuable long-term ecological dataset to examine changes in invertebrate recruitment in response to changing coastal ecosystems and better predict the impacts of climate change on this and other invertebrate populations.

2010 Aims

During this season we aim to collate previous data, relevant literature and methodologies in order to provide a comprehensive summary of work to date and as a basis for further studies. In addition larval, phytoplankton and settlement samples collected by members of the shellfish industry will be analyzed and results can be viewed below.

2010 Data (see links below)

Sampling detail

Sample data

2010 Team Members

Kate Rolheiser (Research Assistant) – duties include collating previous literature, fieldwork, sample analysis and reporting.

Patrick O’Reilly (Research Assistant) – duties include data collation and summarizing, sample analysis and reporting.

Sarah Gordon (Research Assistant) – duties include sample analysis and reporting.

Dr. Neil Bourne (Research Scientist) – providing significant advice and mentorship.

Dr. Daphne Munroe, Anne McCarthy, Dr. Helen Gurney-Smith (Project Principal Investigators).

Members of the shellfish industry (Ed Bereziak), especially those in the Active Malaspina Mariculture Association (AMMA) group.

The BC Shellfish Growers Association

Funding Support

This project has been funded by the VIU Internal Research Award, Bamfield Research Fellowship, the BC Shellfish Growers Association, industry members, the Centre for Shellfish Research and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Cited References

(1) Underwood, A. and K. Keough. 2001. Supply-side ecology: The nature and consequences of variations in recruitment of intertidal organisms. In: M. Bertness, S. Gaines, and M. Hay (eds.), Marine Community Ecology. Sinauer. pp.183-200.

(2) Scheltema, R.S. 1971. Larval dispersal as a means of genetic exchange between geographically separated populations of shallow-water benthic marine gastropods. Biological Bulletin, 140: 284-322.

(3) Heritage,G.D, P. Breen and N. Bourne. 1976. Pacific Oyster Breeding in Pendrell Sound, 1975. Fisheries Research Board of Canada Manuscrip Report Series 1406 – Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, BC.

(4) Harley, C.D., et al. 2006. The impacts of climate change in coastal marine systems. Ecology Letters. 9: 228-241.