Publication Date
Spring 2017
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Advisor
Ivano Aiello
Keywords
benthic infaunal communities, restoration, tidally restricted wetland, water control structures
Subject Areas
Ecology; Biogeochemistry; Aquatic sciences
Abstract
North Azevedo Pond in Elkhorn Slough, CA is a partially tidally restricted wetland that underwent an experimental ponding manipulation which increased inundation and tidal mixing within the system. This wetland has two spatially significant infaunal microsystems, south and north. Benthic cores taken before and after the manipulation showed that both the south and north infaunal communities remained dominated by the same major taxa, respectively. Both systems, however, experienced species shifts following the ponding manipulation. In the South, the non-native bivalve, Gemma gemma, declined from an average of 19,103 to 385 individuals (m2)-1 whereas the native clam, Nutricola tantilla, increased from an average of 128 to 26,154 individuals (m2)-1. In the north, Capitella teleta declined from an average of 15,256 to 1,667 individuals (m2)-1, while Pseudopolydora kempi, increased from a mean of 7,436 to 38,077 individuals (m2)-1. Overall, the hydrographic manipulations were successful in improving water quality by increasing ponding and creating more complex infaunal communities than those present prior to the ponding manipulation.
Recommended Citation
Mann, Christine Marie, "Temporal and Spatial Impacts of Water Control Structures on the Benthic Infaunal Community of a Tidally Restricted Wetland in Elkhorn Slough, CA" (2017). Master's Theses. 4810.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.5ga5-7vxc
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses/4810