Project Title:

Modeling the effects of changes in turbidity on light available for submerged aquatic vegetation

Project Coordinator: (Lead principal investigator)

Name: Roger I. E. Newell

Position and Institutional Affiliation:

Professor, Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Address: PO Box 775, Cambridge, MD 21613

Phone:410-221-8410 Fax:410-221-8490 email: newell@hpl.umces.edu

Additional Principal Investigators:

Name: Raleigh R. Hood

Position and Institutional Affiliation:

Assistant Professor, Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Address: PO Box 775, Cambridge, MD 21613

Phone:410-221-8434 Fax:410-221-8490 email: raleigh@hpl.umces.edu

 

Name: Evamaria W. Koch

Position and Institutional Affiliation:

Assistant Professor, Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Address: PO Box 775, Cambridge, MD 21613

Phone:410-221-8418 Fax:410-221-8490 email: koch@hpl.umces.edu

 

I. Accomplishments

Scheduled Tasks for Year One

Complete the field work in the Monie Bay NERR to quantify sediment resuspension in SAV beds with different densities, and monitor sediment inputs from the agriculture and vegetated watersheds required to parameterize the model. Undertake the experimental work in the laboratory to measure changes in light extinction coefficients associated with bivalve feeding over a range of water temperatures and seston concentrations. Develop our mathematical model and parameterize it using our own field and laboratory data.

Progress on Tasks

This report for the first six month period of our CICEET funded research project was for the fall and winter. Because our research is largely a field project most of our scheduled tasks for Year One will take place during the warmer months when the seagrasses are actively growing. The one scheduled task that we have started is developing our mathematical model including writing the necessary code to implement the model in STELLA.

Difficulties Encountered

No major difficulties have been encountered so far in the development of this project.

Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives in Scheduled Project Period

We have met all the objectives we set out for the first six months of this project.

Preliminary data (incorporate in text or attach)

None produced in reporting period.

II. Tasks and activities for next reporting period

Tasks for the next reporting period

1. During the second six months of this project (spring and summer of 2000) we plan to accomplish the following:
2. We will initiate the field work in the Monie Bay NERR to quantify sediment resuspension in SAV beds with different shoot densities, and monitor sediment inputs from the agriculture and vegetated watersheds required to parameterize the mathematical model.
3. We will undertake the experimental work in the laboratory to measure changes in light extinction coefficients associated with bivalve feeding at the specified water temperatures.
4. Complete the development of our mathematical model in the STELLA modeling software predicting the interrelationships between seagrasses and suspension feeders on light penetration. We will use these field and laboratory data to parameterize our model. This model will enable managers to estimate the possible increase/decrease in SAV distribution associated with improving/worsening light availability as a result of an increase/decrease in the biomass of bivalve suspension feeders.

Work plan to accomplish tasks

1. Over the next four months we will complete the development of our mathematical model and have it running in STELLA. This will allow us to explore some of the possible interrelationships prior to starting the field work. In this way we can ensure that we are obtaining data for the most dominant relationships in the model.
2. We plan to initiate field sampling in May/June 2000 when the seagrass beds have started to attain maximum shoot density. Prior to this we will test the new equipment that we have purchased as part of this project and ensure that it is fully compatible with existing equipment and that all equipment is operating reliably.

Concerns or difficulties

1. At this point we have no major concerns regarding the development of this project. Work during the first six months has progressed as anticipated.

III. Expenditures

In all budget categories we have incurred very few expenditures because we have not started the active field research. We have ordered all of the equipment for which we requested funding.