Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Detailed seasonal and spatial evaluations of seaweed populations were documented, including spatial patterns of species diversity, number of taxa per various locations (geographies),and percent similarities. Low diversity patterns were typical of "stressed" habitats, including those with extensive eutrophication or other human impacts. The occurrence of "green tide" or ulvoid green algae was particularly common in eutrophic environments and diagnostic of such habitats. The presence of several introduced organism, particularly from Asia and Europe, was also characteristic of such disturbed eutrophic habitats, as well as sites with previous aquaculture activities. The rapid assessment evaluations, which occurred from Long Island Sound to Maine, were particularly successful in documenting a quick synopsis of unique seaweed populations, introduced taxa, and stressed environments. Selected molecular studies were critical in delineating several "cryptic" taxa that were not previously detected and confused with similar native organisms. Examples of these molecular delineations included the documentation of two Asiatic taxa, including the green alga Ulva pertusa and the red alga Gracilaria vermiculophylla. The products of this detailed biological information have been summarized in diverse peer-review journal articles, in newpaper articles, and presenations at diverse symposia, workshops, and scientific meetings, including open houses held at the University of New Hampshire. PARTICIPANTS: Six graduate students (M. Sc. and Ph.D.) students and one technician were associated with this project, with the former conducting field and molecular evaluations related to their thesis studies and the latter involved with rapid assessment studies (RAS). The RAS evaluations involved >25 internationally renowned specialists in diverse invertebrate and algal groups from throughout the world. Many of my field studies involving introduced seaweeds were conducted at/near diverse aquaculture sites as well as within estuarine research reserve sites - e.g. Casco Bay, Great Bay, Boston Harbor, Narragensett Bay, etc. TARGET AUDIENCES: Six graduate students (M. Sc. and Ph.D.) students and one technician were associated with this project, with the former conducting field and molecular evaluations related to their thesis studies and the latter involved with rapid assessment studies (RAS). The RAS evaluations involved >25 internationally renowned specialists in diverse invertebrate and algal groups from throughout the world. Many of my field studies involving introduced seaweeds were conducted at/near diverse aquaculture sites as well as within estuarine research reserve sites - e.g. Casco Bay, Great Bay, Boston Harbor, Narragensett Bay, etc. The target audiences represent diverse personnel and agencies: (1) Coastal zone planning personnel involved with management and restoration of coastal resources; (2) State, local and Federal Fish and Game and Conservation Officers charged with similar responsibilities; (3) Scientist interested in patterns of introduced and invasive species. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Twenty-one introduced seaweeds have been documented within this geography, including 3 green, 4 brown and 14 red algae. The lion share of these taxa have originated from Asia or Europe and they have been introduced by several vectors, including boat hulls, ballast water, and aquaculture activities (e.g. shellfish). Many introduced taxa are particularly prevalent near eutrophied aquaculture sites, with several being found in analogous situations in Europe, South America, etc. A synopsis of dates of introduction, probable vectors and sources of these 21 introduced taxa has been summarized, as well as comparisons of non-indigenous taxa from other geographies. Several methods have been employed to documents these non-indigenous taxa, including detailed field surveys, rapid assessments evaluations, and molecular evaluations.
Publications
- Mathieson, A. C., C. J. Dawes, E. J. Hehre and L. G. Harris. 2009. Floristic studies of seaweeds from Cobscook Bay, Maine. Northeastern Naturalist 16 (monograph 5): 1-48.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Studies of distributional and abundance patterns of seaweeds within the Gulf of Maine are on-going based upon rapid assessment evaluations, plus extensive seasonal and spatial evaluations. Enumerations of introduced and invasive seaweeds from Asia and Europe are being documented based upon field and molecular investigations. PARTICIPANTS: Five graduate students have been associated with this project, conducting M. Sc. (2) and Ph.D. studies (3) that have contributed to field and molecular evaluations of introduced seaweeds. Several professional colleagues from the University of New Hampshire and other institutions have contributed to the floristic and rapid assessment evaluations noted above (see Publications). TARGET AUDIENCES: The diverse floristic information outlined above is primarily meant to help coastal managers, diverse governmental agencies, and private conservation groups maintain and preserve productive coastal ecosystem. For example, knowledge regarding introduced seaweeds may help to limit their spread and initial introductions. In addition, many of the "green tide" organisms (e.g. Ulva spp.) are indicative of enhanced eutrophication, while this anthropogenic impact in coastal harbors and marinas often facilititates adverse impact os introduced (invasive) seaweeds. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Historical comparisons of seaweed populations from Casco Bay, Maine (Collins, 1911) were made during 2008 and the early 1900's in order to compare changes of floristic diversity and within this large urban northern embayment. Similar historical comparison of seaweed populations from Cobscook Bay, Maine, which is near the Bay of Fundy, were also made with these being compared with contiguous areas in the Canadian Maritimes, mid-coastal Maine, and New Hampshire. Rapid assessment surveys (RAS) of fouling seaweed populations were conducted at 67 sites between Downeast Maine and Staten Island, New York in order to document floristic changes and impacts of anthropogenic impacts. Molecular ecological studies of several "cryptic" introduced seaweeds (e.g. Ulva, Gracilaria and Porphyra) were conducted in order to document introduction patterns of non-native species within the Gulf of Maine, particularly within embayments, harbors, and marinas. Dissemination of results has occurred via scientific publications (see below), presentations of significant findings to coastal resource managers (e.g. Fish and Game Units, Environmental Protection Units), and interactions with several conservation units such as the Nature Conservancy, Friends of Casco Bay, the Great Bay Stewarts, etc.
Publications
- Dawes, C. J. and A. C. Mathieson. 2008. The Seaweeds of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, 591 pp
- Hofmann, L. C. 2009. An assessment of the biodiversity and bioremediation potential of distromatic Ulva spp. (Chlorophyta) in the Great Bay Estuarine System of New Hampshire and Maine, U.S.A. M. Sc. thesis, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 115 pp.
- Hofmann, L. C., J. C. Nettleton, C. D. Neefus, and A. C. Mathieson. 2009. Biodiverstity of distromatic Ulva taxa in the Great Bay Estuarine System of New Hampshire and Maine, USA. Europ. J. Phycol. (in press).
- Hofmann, L. C., C. D. Neefus and A. C. Mathieson. 2009. Biodiversity and bioremediation potential of Ulva spp. populations in the Great Bay Estuarine System. In: Abstracts , 48th Northeast Algal Symposium, Univ. Massachusetts, Amherst, p. 18.
- Mathieson, A. C., J. Pederson and C. J. Dawes. 2008b. Rapid assessment surveys of fouling and introduced seaweeds in the northwest Atlantic. Rhodora 110: 406-478.
- Neefus, C. D., A. C. Mathieson and T. L. Bray. 2008. The distribution, morphology, and ecology of three introduced Asiatic species of Porphyra (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) in the Northwest Atlantic. J. Phycol. 44: 1399-1414.
- Nettleton, J. C. 2008. Ecology, distribution, quantification, and impact of introduced, Asian Porphyra yezoensis f. yezoensis Ueda and Porphyra yezoensis f. narawaensis A. Miura in the Northwestern Atlantic. M. Sc. thesis, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 87 pp.
- Nettleton, J. C. 2009. Ecosystem impacts of nutrients in Great Bay. In: K. Mills, Ecological Trends in the Great Bay Estuary: 20 Year Anniversary Report, p. 22. New Hampshire Fish and Game Dept., Concord, NH.
- Nettleton, J., C. D. Neefus and A. C. Mathieson. 2009. Using macroalgae to track environmental trends in the Great Bay Estuarine System. In: Abstracts , 48th Northeast Algal Symposium, Univ. Massachusetts, Amherst, poster 20, p. 32.
- Pleticha, L. C. 2009. Morphological variation in Codium fragile in the Northwest Atlantic. M. Sc. thesis, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 112 pp.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Studies of seaweed distributions and abundances within the Gulf of Maine are continuing based upon detailed seasonal and spatial evaluations, including rapid assessment investigation. In particular the occurrence and types of exotic seaweeds is being evaluated, including diverse introduced taxa that are primarily from Asia and Europe. PARTICIPANTS: Six graduate students have been associated with this project, conducting their masters and Ph.D. studies. That is, they have been involved with field and molecular evaluations, as well as contributed to the scientific publications noted above. The rapid assessment studies have involved >20 internationally renowned scientists/specialists in diverse invertebrate and algal groups with these invidicuals being from the USA, Canada, and Great Britain. Many of the studies have interacted with personnel from iverse estuarine research reserves, including those in Casco Bay, Maine, Great Bay, NH, Boston Harbor, Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, and New York Harbor, plus other state and federal personnel (see below). TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences represent a diverse audience as follows: (1) Scientists interested in patterns of introduced and invasive species; (2) Coastal zone planning personnel involved with the management and restoration of coastal resources; (3)State, local and Federal fish and game and conservation officers charged with similar responsibilities PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Historical and recent floristic studies, rapid assessments surveys, and molecular investigations were used to evaluate the occurrence of 20 seaweeds introduced to the Northwest Atlantic, including 2 green, 4 brown and 14 red algae. Based upon floristic comparisons of Mount Desert Island and Casco Bay, Maine from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, some initial records of seaweed introductions were documented, as well as increased numbers of non-indigenous taxa. Detailed floristic studies in southern Maine and New Hampshire from the mid-1960s to 2007 have revealed expansive patterns for two Asiatic taxa (Codium fragile subsp. fragile and Neosiphonia harvey). Rapid assessment surveys conducted between the Bay of Fundy and Long Island, New York revealed seven introduced species and a recent expansion of the Asiatic red alga Grateloupia turuturu into the Gulf of Maine. Molecular evaluations confirmed the presence of several cryptic introduced species of Porphyra from Asia. A synopsis of the dates of introduction, probably vectors, and sources of these 20 introduced taxa in the Northwest Atlantic is given, as well as comparisons of numbers of non-indigenous taxa from other geographies.
Publications
- Mathieson, A. C., C. J. Dawes, J. Pederson, R. A. Gladych, and J. T. Carlton. 2008. The Asian red seaweed Grateloupia turuturu (Rhodophyta) invades the Gulf of Maine. Biological Invasions.
- Mathieson, A. C., E. J. Hehre, C. J. Dawes and C. D. Neefus. 2008. An historical comparison of seaweed populations from Casco Bay, Maine. Rhodora 110: 1-102.
- Mathieson, A. C., J. E. Pederson, C. D. Neefus, C. J. Dawes and T. L. Bray. 2008. Multiple assessments of introduced seaweeds in the Northwest Atlantic. ICES Journal of Marine Science 65: 730-741.
- Neefus, C. D., A. C. Mathieson, T. L. Bray and C. Yarish. 2008. The distribution, morphology and ecology of three introduced Asiatis species of Porphyra (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) in the Northwestern Atlantic. Journal of Phycology 44: 1399-1414.
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