An assessment of marine habitats

located within urbanized areas of

Bellingham Bay, Washington

 

Prepared by Sandra Palm,

Western Washington University

 

For the Toxics Cleanup Program, Department of Ecology,

Northwest Regional Office

 

September, 1995

Abstract

Certain marine habitats situated within urbanized Bellingham Bay were surveyed, mapped, and analyzed. Habitats are intertidal or shallow subtidal and include mixed coarse beaches and eelgrass meadows. Analysis of common organisms occurring on mixed coarse beaches is provided. Location, species, and area of eelgrass meadows is identified. Results from a 1993 series of sediment bioassays are reviewed. A literature review and appendices are included.

 

Acknowledgements

The project was financed by a grant from the Washington Department of Ecology to Western Washington University, contract number C9500016, through monies received from Puget Sound Water Quality Authority.

Martha Turvey and Lucy Peebles of the Northwest Regional Office of the Department of Ecology are thanked for field and laboratory assistance. Dr. Bert Webber of Western Washington University is thanked for project suggestions.

 

Citation

Table of contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Eelgrass meadows in northern and eastern Bellingham Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

A review of sediment bioassays from a September 1993 sampling . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Appendix III: Photographs of quadrats at three public beaches

Appendix IV: Survey points identifying eelgrass meadows

Appendix V: Statistical analyses of sediment bioassay data

Introduction

This document examines specific marine habitats that exist in urbanized areas of Bellingham Bay. The urbanized bay is described as the area between the Nooksack River delta and Post Point in Fairhaven. The document is unique for the Toxics Division of the Department of Ecology in that it examines marine habitat. Previous division studies focused on toxic identification, extent and location of environmental degradation, and the effect of specific toxins on organisms. Until recently, biological studies were usually conducted at the organism level. Increasingly, habitat is assessed in recognition of the complex relationships that exist between organisms and the physical components of their environment.

It is intended that information concerning Bellingham Bay habitat will complement existing knowledge related to toxic areas of concern. Whereas previous toxic studies targeted problem areas, the present document moves towards understanding biological components that are part of the baseline character and functioning of the bay. Habitat information paired with toxic data can provide a comprehensive understanding of problem scope, as well as identify appropriate mitigation options. Bellingham Bay habitat information also can be used as a benchmark to assess change over time, used during project review, used by other agencies, and used in conjunction with marine habitat restoration.

Prior to conducting field studies, a thorough analysis of existing literature was conducted. The results are contained in the Annotated Bibliography, Appendix I. Most information related to Bellingham Bay was gray or agency literature. Most biological studies targeted distribution and abundance of specific organisms or were organism surveys. Few studies identified habitats or made comparisons between similar habitats situated in different areas of the bay or elsewhere. Important exceptions to this include the works of Webber (1975 and 1978) and Broad et al (1984) which focus on biological diversity and comparisons between proximate systems. Many studies addressed type and extent of contamination, especially associated with subtidal sediments.

Identified data gaps related to biological information were coupled with time, equipment and fiscal resources to develop a series of field studies. To this end, the following studies were conducted.

Ø Extent and location of eelgrass meadows

Ø A review of a sediment bioassays from a September 1993 sampling

Ø Habitat map of urbanized Bellingham Bay using the Dethier (DNR, 1990) method

All field studies occurred within intertidal or nearshore subtidal areas. The underlying rationale for each study was different. Beaches composed of mixed coarse materials are common in urbanized Bellingham Bay as habitats that have received varied degrees of human alteration. Because these beaches are situated throughout the bay, the investigation sought to determine if differences in organisms could be attributed to human influence or other factors.

The location and extent of eelgrass meadows were determined because of the important role this habitat serves for shellfish and juvenile fish. Prior to this study, maps of eelgrass meadows in Bellingham Bay were schematic or provided detail for limited geographic areas. Many agencies have interest in eelgrass meadows and the findings of this study can be adapted to the needs of several agencies.

Although not a field study, sediment bioassays statistics were analyzed from a sampling conducted in September 1993. The intent of the review was to assess strength of statistical methods and attendant conclusions.

A habitat map for urbanized Bellingham Bay was formulated to unify local biological information into a framework applied throughout the inland waters of Washington. Because the Department of Natural Resources uses the Dethier (1990) classification scheme, the same system was used as part of this study. This can provide a compatible basis for geographic information systems used locally, as well as by various state agencies.

Thus, each study addresses different aspects of Bellingham Bay with the intent of assisting in project review, policy planning, and mitigation of toxic areas of concern. The document is organized to facilitate rapid understanding of rationale, methods, and conclusions pertaining to field studies. As such, data are contained in a series of appendices to which the reader is directed for detailed information. It should be emphasized that conducted field studies were attainable within the constraints of time and resources. Future marine habitat studies for Bellingham Bay could build on existing information to increase comprehensive understanding of the interface between an urban area, its adjoining marine habitats, and appropriate public policy.

References