379,994 research outputs found
Zooplankton of Moreton Bay
No full textMoreton Bay is a subtropical bay in south east Queensland that supports important populations of seabirds, marine mammals, reptiles and fish. Zooplankton, being small, are often overlooked, but are important nutrient cyclers and a critical link between primary producers and higher trophic levels. Here we synthesise available information on the zooplankton of Moreton Bay, from copepods to jellyfish, and describe their important roles in marine food webs. Zooplankton research in the Bay has a long history, focusing primarily on taxonomy, key taxa, seasonality, demersal zooplankton and jellyfish. Copepods dominate the fauna in the Bay, accounting for 74% of the permanent members. The temporary members of the zooplankton comprise early life stages of littoral species of molluscs, decapods, barnacles, annelids and fish. The dominant large zooplankton species is the jellyfish Catostylus mosaicus that swarms periodically, and its large biomass at times contributes significantly to nutrient cycling. Compared with immediately offshore, zooplankton in the Bay are more abundant but generally smaller in size and contain more meroplankton. In addition, the copepod community is more similar to communities of other tropical shallow coastal regions than zooplankton immediately offshore. Water quality models for the Bay have provided new insights into the variation of zooplankton in time and space that are difficult to investigate using standard sampling approaches. We conclude by highlighting key research gaps that need to be filled, namely the impact of flood events on zooplankton; the use of zooplankton as indicators of water quality to complement solely physico-chemical variables; harnessing historical data to assess the degree to which zooplankton communities have changed over recent decades; and the validation of the zooplankton components in water quality models.Full Tex
Fishing and fisheries of Moreton Bay
No full textThis is the final version. Available from Moreton Bay Foundation via the link in this recordMoreton Bay is one of the most intensely used coastal systems in Australia and supports some of Queensland’s most productive fisheries, including Indigenous, commercial, recreational and charter sectors. This paper explores the economic and cultural value of these fisheries to the Moreton Bay region and the challenges they face. Fishing is recognised as one of Queensland’s oldest industries. Marine resources were harvested by Indigenous peoples long before European settlement and continue to form an important part of Indigenous culture today. Commercial fisheries operating within Moreton Bay are valued at 194m per annum, with fishers harvesting mud crabs, sand whiting, snapper, tailor and bream, among others. Despite the longevity of these sectors, a number of challenges exist. These include managing risks related to climate change, a growing urban population, and the need to mitigate environmental impacts from fishing and other marine activities. Interactions with other management sectors, including marine park planning and native title rights, will also need to evolve if we are to ensure a sustainable future for the fisheries of Moreton Bay
Proceedings, Galveston Bay Characterization Workshop, February 21, 23, 1991
No full text220 pages; available for download at the link below.Contains 56 short papers representing the concerted work of numerous scientists with a knowledge of, and a concern for, Galveston Bay which were presented at the Galveston Bay characterization workshop held on February 21-23, 1991
Modeling toxic materials in Galveston Bay
No full textpgs. 331-337The history of pollution in Galveston Bay is closely tied to the development of urban areas, primarily the City of Houston and associated industries, and other cities and industries of the Bay's periphery. Water quality problems from biodegradable organic wastes peaked in the early 1970s, then decreased with improved waste treatment. The exact status of toxic materials in the Bay is still unknown, however, for there have been few definitive studies to delineate toxic material concentrations. Armstrong (1980) summarized the knowledge of toxic materials in Galveston Bay based on toxic material discharges, toxic material concentrations in the Bay, and an algal assay used to detect growth rate depression due to toxic materials. Armstrong used information from the original Galveston Bay project (e.g., Beal, 1975; Oppenheimer et al., 1973) and concluded that specific toxic materials were present in concentrations believed to affect organisms in the Bay. Estimates of the discharge of toxic materials to Galveston Bay by Neleigh (1974) and Goodman (1989) determined that a variety of toxic materials were being discharged to Galveston Bay from point sources and tributaries
Modeling toxic materials in Galveston Bay
No full textpgs. 331-337The history of pollution in Galveston Bay is closely tied to the development of urban areas, primarily the City of Houston and associated industries, and other cities and industries of the Bay's periphery. Water quality problems from biodegradable organic wastes peaked in the early 1970s, then decreased with improved waste treatment. The exact status of toxic materials in the Bay is still unknown, however, for there have been few definitive studies to delineate toxic material concentrations. Armstrong (1980) summarized the knowledge of toxic materials in Galveston Bay based on toxic material discharges, toxic material concentrations in the Bay, and an algal assay used to detect growth rate depression due to toxic materials. Armstrong used information from the original Galveston Bay project (e.g., Beal, 1975; Oppenheimer et al., 1973) and concluded that specific toxic materials were present in concentrations believed to affect organisms in the Bay. Estimates of the discharge of toxic materials to Galveston Bay by Neleigh (1974) and Goodman (1989) determined that a variety of toxic materials were being discharged to Galveston Bay from point sources and tributaries
Status of Submerged Vegetation in the Galveston Bay System
No full textpgs. 127-132Submerged vascular plants (SV) provide valuable nursery habitat, organic production, and bottom stability in the estuarine environment. This aquatic vegetation in specially-adapted to estuarine factors which do not significantly impact emergent wetland species, and these physical and water quality growth requirements place strict limits on SV distribution and abundance. Despite documented cases of large-scale changes in SV habitat in other major estuaries, studies on Galveston Bay SV are limited. This report reviews the current status of SV communities throughout the bay and summarizes historical changes and impacts from environmental factors. It includes different SV types in three distinct regions of the bay system: (1) freshwater to oligohaline sites in the Trinity River Delta; (2) mesohaline environment of Trinity Bay proper; and (3) the polyhaline lower-bay environment of West and Christmas Bays
Socioeconomic characterization of Galveston Bay
No full textpgs. 363-365In this paper, the results of a study which investigated socioeconomic characteristics and trends of the Galveston Bay system are presented. The objectives of the study were as follows: to conduct a demographic analysis of the Galveston Bay system; to characterize socioeconomic dependence on the Bay system; to identify social trends which affect Bay resources; to characterize the economic value of Bay activities; to predict future trends in Bay use; to predict the potential impact of a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan on Bay communities and groups; to identify gaps in existing socioeconomic information on the Bay; and to develop recommendations for additional research on the socioeconomic character of the Bay system
Status of Submerged Vegetation in the Galveston Bay System
No full textpgs. 127-132Submerged vascular plants (SV) provide valuable nursery habitat, organic production, and bottom stability in the estuarine environment. This aquatic vegetation in specially-adapted to estuarine factors which do not significantly impact emergent wetland species, and these physical and water quality growth requirements place strict limits on SV distribution and abundance. Despite documented cases of large-scale changes in SV habitat in other major estuaries, studies on Galveston Bay SV are limited. This report reviews the current status of SV communities throughout the bay and summarizes historical changes and impacts from environmental factors. It includes different SV types in three distinct regions of the bay system: (1) freshwater to oligohaline sites in the Trinity River Delta; (2) mesohaline environment of Trinity Bay proper; and (3) the polyhaline lower-bay environment of West and Christmas Bays
Galveston Bay Area Master Naturalists: Volunteers Implementing the Galveston Bay Plan
No full text[np]The Galveston Bay Area Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program is a volunteer education program designed to create a group of informed individuals knowledgeable of the values and uses of Galveston Bay's natural resources. Volunteers participate in classroom and field training. They must complete 40 volunteer service hours in restoration and education projects and eight advanced training hours to become a certified Master Naturalist. These trainings are fun and hands-on learning experiences. 185 volunteers participate in the program. The average age of the Master Naturalist volunteer is 56 years young. Partners include local governments, universities, state agencies, private industry and non-profit organizations. The Master Naturalists are involved implementing the Galveston Bay Plan through wetland restoration projects, habitat restoration of prairies and marshes, radio-tracking endangered birds, water quality and invasive species monitoring, conducting educational marsh field trips for students and constructing walk through wetlands at schools where minority students learn about the values of wetlands. In 2004, the volunteers sponsored the "Estuaries Live Day" in Galveston where 400 students learned about Galveston Bay's resources. They also conduct mini-Master Naturalist workshops for teachers during the summer. In five years, these volunteers have provided 74,988 hours of volunteer service and educated 124,136 individuals! The value of these service hours to the local community and Galveston Bay's natural resources is estimated to be $1,352,789. This hands-on presentation of the Master Naturalist Program will introduce how the program has been developed for the Galveston Bay area. It will focus on the best methods for educating adult volunteers, encouraging involvement in education and restoration activities, creating partnerships and how to maintain and increase volunteer involvement and satisfaction
Galveston Bay oyster maps. Stingaree Cut to Rollover Bay; bathymetry and reefs
No full text1 map; 61 x 84 cmThe Galveston Bay Oyster Map series is a collection of maps corresponding to the report: The Status of Oyster Reefs in Galveston Bay, Texas by Eric N. Powell, Jungguen Song, and Matthew Ellis (refer to Accession #7014). The complete map set contains a total of 41 sheets, which includes 2 overview sheets of Greater Galveston Bay and 39 sheets for specific areas around the bay. For each of 13 specific mapped areas there are 3 separate sheets - one depicting bathymetry and oyster reefs, one depicting transect lines and oyster reefs, and one depicting bathymetry and transect lines. Each of the 41 sheets is cited separately with a title consisting of the specific area mapped and the type of information recorded. The 13 specific areas include: Green's Cut to Offatt Bayou, Shell Island to Green's Cut, Stingaree Cut to Rollover Bay, Sievers Cove to Stingaree Cut, Buoy 53 to Bull Hill, Buoy 53 to Smith Point, Umbrella Point to Double Bayou, Cedar Bayou to Umbrella Point, Red Bluff to Morgan Point, Eagle Point to Red Bluff, Texas City to Eagle Point, Buoy 75 to Redfish Island, and Pelican Island to Texas City. For the complete series refer to Accession #8016 - #8056
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