The Effect of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Expansion on a Declining Turbidity Trend in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta

Hestir, Erin L.; Schoellhamer, David H.; Greenberg, Jonathan A.; Morgan-King, Tara; Ustin, Susan L.

doi:10.1007/s12237-015-0055-z

Cited by 64 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…E. densa beds create drag and slow-moving water, reducing turbulence, and increasing net deposition of sediment, thereby increasing water clarity (Yarrow et al 2009). Hestir et al (2015) found that, 21% to 70% of the increase in water clarity in the Delta from 1975 to 2008 can be attributed to SAV expansion. The dense canopies of E. densa beds shade the water column, contributing to light limitation of phytoplankton and benthic algae.…”

Section: Submerged Aquatic Vegetationmentioning

confidence: 96%

Food Webs of the Delta, Suisun Bay, and Suisun Marsh: An Update on Current Understanding and Possibilities for Management

Brown¹,

Kimmerer²,

Conrad³

et al. 2016

SFEWS

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This paper reviews and highlights recent research findings on food web processes since an earlier review by . We conduct this review within a conceptual framework of the DeltaSuisun food web, which includes both temporal and spatial components. The temporal component of our framework is based on knowledge that the landscape has changed markedly from historical conditions. The spatial component of our framework acknowledges that the food web is not spatially static; it varies regionally and across habitat types within regions. The review highlights the idea of a changing baseline with respect to food web function. New research also indicates that interactions between habitat-specific food webs vary across the current landscape. For example, based on early work in the south Delta, the food web associated with submerged aquatic vegetation was thought to provide little support to species of concern; however, data from other regions of the estuary suggest that this conceptual model may not apply across the entire region. Habitat restoration has been proposed as a method of re-establishing historic food web processes to support species of concern. Benefits are likely for species that directly access such restored habitats, but are less clear for pelagic species. Several topics require attention to further improve the knowledge of food webs needed to support effective management, including: (1) synthesis of factors responsible for low pelagic biomass; (2) monitoring and research on effects of harmful algal blooms; (3) broadening the scope of long-term monitoring; (4) determining benefits of tidal wetland restoration to species of concern, including evaluations of interactions of habitat-specific food webs; and (5) interdisciplinary analysis and synthesis. The only certainty is that food webs will continue to change in response to the changes in the physical environment and new species invasions.

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Section: Submerged Aquatic Vegetationmentioning

confidence: 96%

Food Webs of the Delta, Suisun Bay, and Suisun Marsh: An Update on Current Understanding and Possibilities for Management

Brown¹,

Kimmerer²,

Conrad³

et al. 2016

SFEWS

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“…SAV, floating vegetation, and decreased sediment supply from the watershed may explain observed decreases in turbidity (Hestir et al 2016). Given the potential strong feedback between increased clarity and increased SAV, these changes may be an important aspect of the future Delta.…”

Section: Information Gapsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An example of biota affecting transport is invasive SAV in Delta channels. SAV began increasing significantly in the 1970s, and sites that now have greater SAV coverage had a greater turbidity decline in the later 20th century (Hestir et al 2016). SAV can slow water movement and reduce bed shear stress, promoting sedimentation and reducing SSC.…”

Section: Biogeochemical Forcingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Turbidity trends were corrected for the declining sediment 16 VOLUME 14, ISSUE 4, ARTICLE 1 supply (Wright and Schoellhamer 2004) using SSC data immediately upstream from the Delta. Hestir et al (2016) estimate that 21% to 70% of the total declining turbidity trend results from SAV expansion.…”

Section: Biogeochemical Forcingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent physical advances of significance to understanding and managing Delta Smelt include the ability of backwater sloughs (isolated dead-end channels) to trap sediment and increase turbidity (Morgan-King and Schoellhamer 2013), the possible role of SAV in decreasing turbidity (Hestir et al 2016), and the role of first flush and tidal currents on their landward migration (Bennett and Burau 2015). Though restoration efforts focus on marsh habitats, backwater sloughs may be an important and scarce habitat for Delta Smelt worthy of restoration.…”

Section: Interactions Of Multiple Driversmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recent Advances in Understanding Flow Dynamics and Transport of Water-Quality Constituents in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta

Schoellhamer¹,

Wright²,

Monismith³

et al. 2016

SFEWS

Self Cite

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This paper, part of the collection of research comprising the State of Bay-Delta Science 2016, describes advances during the past decade in understanding flow dynamics and how water-quality constituents move within California's SacramentoSan Joaquin River Delta (Delta). Water-quality constituents include salinity, heat, oxygen, nutrients, contaminants, organic particles, and inorganic particles. These constituents are affected by water diversions and other human manipulations of flow, and they greatly affect the quantity and quality of benthic, pelagic, and intertidal habitat in the Delta. The Pacific Ocean, the Central Valley watershed, human intervention, the atmosphere, and internal biogeochemical processes are all drivers of flow and transport in the Delta. These drivers provide a conceptual framework for presenting recent findings.The tremendous expansion of acoustic and optical instruments deployed in the Delta over the past decade has greatly improved our understanding of how tidal variability affects flow and transport. Sediment is increasingly viewed as a diminishing resource needed to sustain pelagic habitat and tidal marsh, especially as sea level rises. Connections among the watershed, Delta, and San Francisco Bay that have been quantified recently highlight that a landscape view of this system is needed, rather than consideration of each region in isolation. We discuss interactions of multiple drivers and information gaps.

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Effects of submerged aquatic vegetation and water quality on waterfowl abundance by foraging guild

Sibilia

Aguirre‐Gutiérrez

Mowbray³

et al. 2022

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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Back Bay, Virginia, has been documented as an important foraging area for waterfowl since at least the mid‐1800s. Expansive submerged plant beds historically supported diverse assemblages of non‐breeding waterfowl; however, coastal development and other anthropogenic influences have since led to fluctuations in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and an associated decline in waterfowl abundance in the bay. To gain insight into the effects of environmental drivers on waterfowl foraging guilds, our study explores the effects of SAV frequency and water quality on the abundance of dabbling ducks, diving ducks and swans and geese in Back Bay. We use 8 years of SAV, water quality, and waterfowl monitoring data collected by state and federal agencies to model the effects of salinity, turbidity, pH and percent frequency of SAV on the relative abundance of waterfowl by foraging guild in Back Bay. The appropriateness of the data and reasonability of the preliminary results were then evaluated through semi‐structured interviews with 11 local informants representing state, federal and non‐governmental organizations. Quantitative results indicated that dabbling ducks are affected differently than other guilds by water quality and percent frequency of SAV. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed a number of potential explanations for the model results, as well as highlighted areas of uncertainty in need of further research. In a test of face validity, participants demonstrated a significant degree of belief in turbidity, salinity and SAV as drivers of waterfowl abundance, but were not convinced by the potential effects of pH as demonstrated by the model. This mixed methods study provides insights that could potentially influence the management and conservation of non‐breeding waterfowl populations by challenging the assumption that particular environmental conditions serve all foraging groups equally.

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The Effect of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Expansion on a Declining Turbidity Trend in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta

Cited by 64 publications

References 54 publications

Food Webs of the Delta, Suisun Bay, and Suisun Marsh: An Update on Current Understanding and Possibilities for Management

Food Webs of the Delta, Suisun Bay, and Suisun Marsh: An Update on Current Understanding and Possibilities for Management

Recent Advances in Understanding Flow Dynamics and Transport of Water-Quality Constituents in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta

Effects of submerged aquatic vegetation and water quality on waterfowl abundance by foraging guild

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