Multiscale Habitat Suitability Modeling for Canary Rockfish (Sebastes Pinniger) Along the Northern California Coast

Multiscale Habitat Suitability Modeling for Canary Rockfish (Sebastes Pinniger) Along the Northern California Coast PDF Author: Portia N. Saucedo
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fish populations
Languages : en
Pages : 116

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Book Description
Detailed spatially-explicit data of the potential habitat of commercially important rockfish species are a critical component for the purposes of marine conservation, evaluation, and planning. Predictive habitat modeling techniques are widely used to identify suitable habitat in un-surveyed regions. This study elucidates the predicted distribution of canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) along the largely un-surveyed northern California coast using data from visual underwater surveys and predictive terrain complexity covariates. I used Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modelling software to identify regions of suitable habitat for S. pinniger greater than nine cm in total length at two spatial scales. The results of this study indicate the most important environmental covariate was proximity to the interface between hard and soft substrate. I also examined the predicted probability of presence for each model run. MaxEnt spatial predictions varied in predicted probability for broad-scale and each of the fine-scale regions. Uncertainty in predictions was considered at several levels and spatial uncertainty was quantified and mapped. The predictive modeling efforts allowed spatial predictions outside the sampled area at both the broad- and fine-scales accessed. This approach demonstrates that single-species suitable habitat can be defined with species-specific covariates. Further, this approach may be applicable to other rockfish species to aid fisheries management in the delineation of essential fish habitat as well as in conservation efforts in marine spatial planning.

Multiscale Habitat Suitability Modeling for Canary Rockfish (Sebastes Pinniger) Along the Northern California Coast

Multiscale Habitat Suitability Modeling for Canary Rockfish (Sebastes Pinniger) Along the Northern California Coast PDF Author: Portia N. Saucedo
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fish populations
Languages : en
Pages : 116

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Book Description
Detailed spatially-explicit data of the potential habitat of commercially important rockfish species are a critical component for the purposes of marine conservation, evaluation, and planning. Predictive habitat modeling techniques are widely used to identify suitable habitat in un-surveyed regions. This study elucidates the predicted distribution of canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) along the largely un-surveyed northern California coast using data from visual underwater surveys and predictive terrain complexity covariates. I used Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modelling software to identify regions of suitable habitat for S. pinniger greater than nine cm in total length at two spatial scales. The results of this study indicate the most important environmental covariate was proximity to the interface between hard and soft substrate. I also examined the predicted probability of presence for each model run. MaxEnt spatial predictions varied in predicted probability for broad-scale and each of the fine-scale regions. Uncertainty in predictions was considered at several levels and spatial uncertainty was quantified and mapped. The predictive modeling efforts allowed spatial predictions outside the sampled area at both the broad- and fine-scales accessed. This approach demonstrates that single-species suitable habitat can be defined with species-specific covariates. Further, this approach may be applicable to other rockfish species to aid fisheries management in the delineation of essential fish habitat as well as in conservation efforts in marine spatial planning.

Characterizing Habitat Preference in Three Nearshore Reef-associated Fishes Through Collaborative Research, Public Data, and Open Source Software

Characterizing Habitat Preference in Three Nearshore Reef-associated Fishes Through Collaborative Research, Public Data, and Open Source Software PDF Author: Ian D. Kelmartin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Lingcod
Languages : en
Pages : 53

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Book Description
Black rockfish (Sebastes melanops), canary rockfish (S. pinniger), and lingcod (Ophidion elongatus) are important species in Northern California's nearshore recreational and commercial fisheries. These species are associated with nearshore rocky reefs and are among a suite of species intended to benefit from the establishment of the marine protected area (MPA) network along the Northern California Coast in 2012. Many aspects of the North Coast's nearshore ecosystem remain poorly studied, including the spatial distribution and habitat associations of nearshore fish species. This study used data collected from Cape Mendocino State Marine Reserve (SMR), Ten Mile SMR, and paired, nearby reference sites to investigate the habitat associations of black rockfish, canary rockfish, and lingcod on the North Coast by generating Maxent habitat suitability models for each species. This study showed black rockfish associated with high relief, rocky habitat, less than ~30 meters in depth, lingcod associated with rocky habitat, independent of relief, deeper than 20 meters, and canary rockfish associated with high relief rocky habitat, deeper than ~35 meters. The findings of this study also investigated and supported the findings of a previous study that found canary rockfish associated with the edge of rocky reef and sandy habitats. Maxent modeling can increase manager's understanding of the habitat used by marine fishes and inform the establishment of MPAs, designation of Essential Fish Habitat, and regional catch limits by identifying where habitat might support more productive populations, especially for poorly studied stocks.

Identifying Habitat Factors for Canary Rockfish (Sebastes Pinniger) Off Washington and Oregon Using Environmental Data and Trawl Logbooks

Identifying Habitat Factors for Canary Rockfish (Sebastes Pinniger) Off Washington and Oregon Using Environmental Data and Trawl Logbooks PDF Author: Cathleen D. Vestfals
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Canary rockfish
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
If fisheries managers are to effectively manage commercially exploited fish populations, a basic understanding of the factors that influence fish distribution and abundance is required. In 2005, efforts to identify Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for the 82 groundfish species managed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council along the West Coast resulted in the entire continental margin being designated as EFH. Clearly, our knowledge of EFH needs to be refined, which can be accomplished by gaining insight into how environmental variables shape the distribution of managed species. Habitat is commonly used to describe a set of environmental variables that are thought to influence occupancy. The aim of this thesis research is to detect and analyze the quantitative relationships between canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) presence/absence data, their spatial distribution, and various biotic and abiotic factors. The presence of canary rockfish at various locations was correlated against co-located environmental variables including bottom depths, temperatures, locations (latitude and longitude), seafloor substrate types, canary rockfish hotspots, and the presence/absence of other groundfish and invertebrate species. The statistical analysis was conducted using the generalized additive model (GAM), which is a nonparametric regression technique very well suited to model nonlinear speciesenvironment interactions. The GAM analysis was conducted using information collected from four different data sources. Data collected by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) from 1986 to 2001 provided information at distinct locations and times on the presence/absence of canary rockfish and other groundfish and invertebrate species, and associated depths and temperatures. Seafloor lithology maps for Oregon and Washington and 100-meter gridded bathymetric data, obtained from the Active Tectonics and Seafloor Mapping Lab at Oregon State University, provided information on the physical characteristics of the seafloor. These data were used in conjunction with the AFSC bottom trawl survey data to investigate the relationships between substrate type, slope and rugosity, and the presence of canary rockfish. Finally, locations of canary rockfish hotspots, or areas with high canary rockfish catch, were identified from Oregon commercial trawl logbook data (1995-2001) and provided information on distinct areas where the trawl fishing fleet had successfully caught canary rockfish in the past. Canary rockfish presence in trawl survey tows was associated with specific locations and ranges of bathymetry, temperatures, and substrate types, as well as proximity to canary rockfish hotspots, and particular fish and invertebrate communities. Survey year had a strong effect on the presence of canary rockfish, as did location (latitude and longitude) and depth. The geographic location of a survey tow had a negative effect on the presence of canary rockfish in the nearshore region, and a positive effect the further the location was from the coastline, with canary rockfish presence being highest off the Washington coast between 47.5°N and 48.5°N. While canary rockfish were found at depths between 57 m and 307 m in the survey, the majority of the tows with canary rockfish catch, over 90%, occurred between the depths of 57 m and 199 m. Though temperature did not have a significant effect on canary rockfish presence in the GAM, canary rockfish were associated with specific temperature ranges, only being caught at temperatures between 6.2°C and 9.0°C in the survey. Over 89% of the tows with canary rockfish catch occurred between 6.2°C and 7.9°C. Since temperature and bottom depth of the trawl survey tows were highly correlated, it was difficult to determine which variable was the causative factor in determining the probability of a canary rockfish being present. Canary rockfish presence was higher in survey tows made closer to canary rockfish hotspots, as well as hard bottom types. Finally, the presence of lingcod, yellowtail, silvergray, or redstripe rockfish in a survey tow increased the likelihood of canary rockfish being present, as did the presence of basketstars and corals. By studying the relationships between species and their environment, we can begin to understand the relative importance of how environmental variables shape the distribution of managed species. For ecosystem-based management strategies to be successful, the functional relationships between organisms and their habitat must be understood. The predictive model developed in this study can be used to identify areas off Oregon and Washington where canary rockfish are likely to be found in relation to various habitat factors, and can potentially be used to delineate areas that should be sampled in future surveys of canary rockfish. Additionally, this research will help to improve our understanding of the factors that influence canary rockfish distribution, which may produce a more realistic definition of canary rockfish habitat, and improve assessment. This study specifically focuses on canary rockfish, because this species currently constrains many West Coast fisheries for groundfish, however, the methods outlined here could be applied more generally to other species of interest.

Spatiotemporal Variability of Rockfish Recruitment on California's North Coast in Relation to Habitat Availability

Spatiotemporal Variability of Rockfish Recruitment on California's North Coast in Relation to Habitat Availability PDF Author: Carolyn A. Belak
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fish populations
Languages : en
Pages : 70

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Book Description
Characterizing primary drivers of temporal and spatial variability in recruitment is imperative to understanding the role of pre- and post-settlement processes influencing marine population dynamics. On benthic reefs, the quality and quantity of suitable settlement habitat can alter post-settlement density-dependent mortality rates and increase chances of survival. The north coast of California has experienced highly unusual oceanographic conditions in recent years, leading to severe loss of highly productive kelp forests and potentially deleterious ecosystem consequences. In the present thesis, I aimed to determine the effects of canopy-forming bull kelp (Nereocystis) and alternative complex habitats on the recruitment of several kelp-associating species of rockfish (genus Sebastes), an ecologically and economically important demersal fish on nearshore rocky reefs. Zero-altered mixed models were employed to analyze the presence and abundance of rockfish recruits seen in two datasets of differing spatiotemporal scales. “Coarse-scale” annual surveys were conducted across 430 km of northern California coastline for five years as part of a long-term Marine Protected Area monitoring effort. To better resolve seasonal recruitment patterns, a “fine-scale” study was also designed, which consisted of one year of monthly surveys concentrated over 10 km in Mendocino County. Rates of settlement, habitat availability, and spatiotemporal factors were explored as effects on rockfish recruitment rates. Model results confirm previously-documented high interannual variability in recruitment but also suggest that rockfish young-of-the-year primarily use complex habitats other than bull kelp as shelter during recruitment. The probability of presence of new recruits was strongly associated with timing of settlement and latitude, indicating that large-scale oceanographic effects likely play a role in predicting the distribution of rockfish. Recruit density was positively related to the abundance of understory algae and negatively correlated with low relief and bull kelp density. Although reliance on surface kelp canopy has been documented elsewhere, rockfish recruit habitat preferences had not been previously described in northern California, and understanding the strength of habitat associations during a period of severe kelp decline will help to anticipate how rockfish populations might respond to environmental variation. While this study spanned a time of unusual oceanographic conditions, my results suggest that young-of-the-year may still be able to find suitable refuge in understory algae and high-relief reefs for survival.

Isotope Methods for Dating Old Groundwater

Isotope Methods for Dating Old Groundwater PDF Author: International Atomic Energy Agency
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789201372109
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This guidebook provides theoretical and practical information for using a variety of isotope tracers for dating old groundwater, i.e. water stored in geological formations for periods ranging from about 1000 to one million years. Theoretical underpinnings of the methods and guidelines for their use in different hydrogeological environments are described. The guidebook also presents a number of case studies providing insight into how various isotopes have been used in aquifers around the world. The methods, findings and conclusions presented in this publication will enable students and practicing groundwater scientists to evaluate the use of isotope dating tools for specific issues related to the assessment and management of groundwater resources. In addition, the guidebook will be of use to the scientific community interested in issues related to radioactive waste disposal in geological repositories.

Drafting a Conservation Blueprint

Drafting a Conservation Blueprint PDF Author: Craig Groves
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 504

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Book Description
Drafting a Conservation Blueprint lays out for the first time in book form a step-by-step planning process for conserving the biological diversity of entire regions. In an engaging and accessible style, the author explains how to develop a regional conservation plan and offers experience-based guidance that brings together relevant information from the fields of ecology, conservation biology, planning, and policy. Individual chapters outline and discuss the main steps of the planning process, including: • an overview of the planning framework • selecting conservation targets and setting goals • assessing existing conservation areas and filling information gaps • assessing population viability and ecological integrity • selecting and designing a portfolio of conservation areas • assessing threats and setting priorities A concluding section offers advice on turning conservation plans into action, along with specific examples from around the world. The book brings together a wide range of information about conservation planning that is grounded in both a strong scientific foundation and in the realities of implementation.

Channel Processes

Channel Processes PDF Author: Asher P. Schick
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : River channels
Languages : en
Pages : 174

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Book Description


Tracerlpm (Version 1)

Tracerlpm (Version 1) PDF Author: Bryant C. Jurgens
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781500222871
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Book Description
TracerLPM is an interactive Excel(r) (2007 or later) workbook program for evaluating groundwater age distributions from environmental tracer data by using lumped parameter models (LPMs). Lumped parameter models are hydrodynamic dispersion or mixing within the aquifer, well bore, or discharge area. Five primary LPMs are included in exponential model (PEM), and dispersion model (DM). Binary mixing models (BMM) can be created by combining primary LPMs in various combinations. Travel time through the unsaturated zone can be included as an additional parameter. TracerLPM also allows users to enter age distributions determined from other methods, such as particle tracking LPMs not included in this program. Tracers of both young groundwater (anthropogenic atmospheric gases and isotopic substances indicating post-1940s recharge) and much older groundwater (carbon-14 and helium-4) can be interpreted simultaneously so that estimates of the groundwater age distribution for samples with a wide range of ages can be constrained.

Wairarapa Valley Groundwater

Wairarapa Valley Groundwater PDF Author: U. Morgenstern
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Groundwater
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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Book Description


Xenobiotics in Fish

Xenobiotics in Fish PDF Author: D.J. Smith
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461547032
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
Aquaculture is rapidly becoming a major source of fish protein used to meet the nutritional needs of humans. As the aquaculture industry grows, exposure of farmed fish to environmental contaminants, and the need for chemical therapeutic agents for fish, will increase. This book is designed to bring together authorities worldwide on the regulation of environmental contaminants and food chemicals and researchers investigating the metabolism and disposition of foreign chemicals (xenobiotics) in fish species.