Advancing an Ecosystem Approach in the Gulf of Maine

2012 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Bay Of Fundy ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Saint John ◽  
River Valleys

Abstract.—Estuarine and coastal ecosystems of the Gulf of Maine continue to be degraded by excessive loadings of sediments, nutrients, and contaminants derived from surrounding watersheds. The Saint John River basin is the largest basin in the Gulf of Maine, and within it there are a significant number of major industries along the main stem of the river and vast expanses of land-based activities of forestry and potato production along many of the river valleys and floodplains. Water quality and loading of sediments and nutrients have changed over the past few hundred years, with the most important changes coming with the expansion of agriculture and pulp and paper processing operations since the 1950s. Several studies are discussed in this chapter that outline the identification and quantification of watershed-based activities that influence the Saint John River ecosystem. Using export coefficient modeling, nonpoint sources of nitrogen and phosphorus to the Bay of Fundy are shown to be three to four times that of point sources. Few studies explicitly couple river dynamics to estimates of load to the Saint John River estuary and the Bay of Fundy. With high-quality geographic information on land coverage, land usage and human activities, and robust water quantity and quality monitoring programs, analytical models can be developed to help evaluate policy options and chart pathways towards a more integrated understanding and management of the basin and its receiving waters.

Advancing an Ecosystem Approach in the Gulf of Maine

2012 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Bay Of Fundy ◽  
Fishing Industry ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Georges Bank ◽  
The West ◽  
Management Guidance ◽  
Natural Foods

<i>Abstract</i>.—The Gulf of Maine (GoM) may have defined borders to some, but to the Canadian fishing industry, it carries a flow of larvae, nutrients, and other resources that help sustain the fishery from Georges Bank to the West Scotian Slope to the Bay of Fundy and all points in between. The GoM provides a source of wealth to people and communities, as well as supplying what may be one of the last natural foods on the planet. The fishing industry has been using the GoM for centuries, yet it is only recently that monitoring and data gathering has been taking place. In my opinion, we can extract much more value from the fisheries than we presently do. If the fisheries resource of the GoM is not delivering its full potential, who is ultimately responsible and accountable? In the past decade, transboundary groundfish resources from Georges Bank have been successfully managed through the Transboundary Management Guidance Committee. We can improve decision making even further in a greater ecosystem context, recognizing that decisions have to be made with the information available. An ecosystem approach to fisheries proposes a pragmatic view based on assessing the risk of not meeting agreed objectives.

Advancing an Ecosystem Approach in the Gulf of Maine

2012 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Environmental Literacy ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Bay Of Fundy ◽  
Spatial Management ◽  
The Subject

<i>Abstract</i> .—The goal of this session was to provide a synthesis of the major pressures being exerted on the Gulf of Maine (GOM), including the Bay of Fundy, that constrain the achievement of ecosystem objectives or the desired state of valued attributes (ecological, social/cultural, and economic). The GOM boasts a diverse ecosystem, much changed ecologically over the past 400 years and long the subject of intense scrutiny by a host of universities, marine labs, and research centers in both the United States and Canada. While the presentations in the session noted that this ecosystem must cope with stressors that range from climate change to pharmaceuticals and nutrient loading to overfishing, the presentations also presented an historical perspective with lessons for resiliency, including successes of finer-scale and spatial management as well as collaborations in research and communication. It was recognized that a concerted effort to raise environmental literacy amongst the gulf ’s residents is essential to ensure that the full value of its ecosystems and resources is recognized and protected for future generations.

scholarly journals Life History of the Marine Isopod Cyathura polita in the Saint John River Estuary, New Brunswick: a Species at the Northern Extent of its Range

2007 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
Sarah C. Mercer ◽  
Glenys D. Gibson ◽  
Michael J. Dadswell
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
East Coast ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
The United States ◽  
Bay Of Fundy ◽  
Sampling Program ◽  
Saint John ◽  
History Of ◽  
Northern Shore ◽  
One Year

The marine isopod, Cyathura polita, inhabits estuaries on the east coast of North America from the Gulf of Mexico to the Bay of Fundy, Canada. We studied C. polita in the Saint John estuary to test for potential differences in life history that might occur because of the northern location of the population. In the Saint John, based on our interpretation from a six-month sampling program (May-October), the population exhibits a three-year life cycle, one year longer than more southern populations, and stretching over four summers. Our study supported the occurrence of protogynic hermaphroditism. After two summers as juveniles, individuals matured as females during their third summer, then displayed sex reversal by becoming males that fall, and finally reproducing as males in their fourth summer of life before death. Mean length of C. polita from the Saint John was greater than individuals from more southern populations (females, 13.8 ± 2.14 mm; males, 16.3 ± 2.41 mm). Annual brood release occurred in late July-early August. Mean fecundity of females was 53.2 ± 18.9 embryos per brood, which was greater than found in southern populations. Cyathura polita is rare in Canada and is known only from the Saint John and along the northern shore of the Bay of Fundy to the border of the United States.

An Oceanographical and Biological Reconnaissance of Kennebecasis Bay and the Saint John River Estuary

1960 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Trites
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Bay Of Fundy ◽  
Extreme Conditions ◽  
Preliminary Survey ◽  
Saint John ◽  
Passamaquoddy Bay ◽  
Mixed Water

A preliminary survey of the oceanographic features of Kennebecasis Bay and the Saint John estuarial system was carried out in 1957–58 as part of the International Passamaquoddy Fisheries Board Program.Kennebecasis Bay and Long Reach on the Saint John River are two-layer systems with a brackish surface layer overlying a deep saline layer. Two sills separate and restrict exchange of deep water in Kennebecasis Bay from that of the Bay of Fundy. The initial step in the formation of deep water of Kennebecasis Bay occurs in the gorge area between the two sills where saline water from the Bay of Fundy mixes vigorously with fresh water of the Saint John River. During periods of low river runoff combined with spring tides a portion of the mixed water penetrates inward over the sill at the entrance to Kennebecasis Bay.It is concluded that Kennebecasis Bay represents more extreme conditions than those predicted for Passamaquoddy Bay if power dams are constructed.

Nitrogen and phosphorus in the Vistula River, Poland -- changes from source to mouth

1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 177-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Sundblad ◽  
Andrzej Tonderski ◽  
Jacek Rulewski
Keyword(s):  
Central Region ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
Diffuse Sources ◽  
Vistula River ◽  
South Central

Nitrogen and phosphorus concentration data representing samples collected once a month for nine months at 13 locations along the Vistula River are considered in a preliminary discussion of the sources of the nutrients transported to the Baltic Sea. Concentrations in relation to flow data indicated substantial differences between subbasins. Based on those differences, on the area-specific nutrient loss for a six-month period and on the wastewater discharge in each subbasin, four regions could be recognized in the river basin: i) the southern region with a large impact of point sources, ii) the south central region, where diffuse sources seemed to be of major importance, iii) the north central region with a combined effect of point and diffuse sources, and retention in two reservoirs, iv) the northern region where point sources seemed to be the dominating source, at least for phosphorus. Our results illustrate the importance of differences in phosphorus retention between the basins. Long-term retention along the course of the river, particularly in the two reservoirs, must be estimated to allow proper source apportionment in the Vistula basin. Concentration decreases in the Wloclawek Reservoir varied between 44 and 68% for P, and 11 to 37% for N, in the months with significant retention. In some months, however, concentrations increased, indicating a release of nutrients.

Sources of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the Catchment Area of Neusiedlersee/Fertö, Austria/Hungary

1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (3-5) ◽  
pp. 101-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. v. d. Emde ◽  
H. Fleckseder ◽  
N. Matsché ◽  
F. Plahl-Wabnegg ◽  
G. Spatzierer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Point Source ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Nonpoint Source ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Source Control ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Catchment Areas ◽  
The One

Neusiedlersee (in German) / Fertö tó (in Hungarian) is a shallow lake at the Austro-Hungarian border. In the late 1970s, the question arose what to do in order to protect the lake against eutrophication. A preliminary report established the need for point-source control as well as gave first estimates for non-point source inputs. The proposed point-source control was quickly implemented, non-point sources were - among other topics - studied in detail in the period 1982 - 1986. The preliminary work had shown, based on integrated sampling and data from literature, that the aeolic input outweighed the one via water erosion (work was for totP only). In contrast to this, the 1982 - 1986 study showed that (a) water erosion by far dominates over aeolic inputs and (b) the size of nonpoint-source inputs was assessed for the largest catchment area in pronounced detail, whereas additional estimates were undertaken for smaller additional catchment areas. The methods as well as the results are presented in the following. The paper concludes with some remarks on the present management practice of nonpoint-source inputs.

axillary, on 5-10 mm long stems. Sepals 5-7 mm long, elliptical, narrow-scarious along margin. Petals 7-10 mm long, oblong-obovate or oval, narrowing into long cuneate claw, orange-colored at base, white in upper portion. Capsules 16-24 mm long, 6-10 (12) mm broad, oblong-oval or oval, pentagonal; wings 2-3 mm broad. In solonchaks and solonetzic steppes, sometimes on rocky steppe slopes. West. Sib.: AL—Go (Chuya river valley: facing Chegan river estuary—class, hab. and others in Chuya steppe).— Mid. Asia, West. China, Mongolia. Map 21. 5. Z. pterocarpum subsp. tuvinicum Peschkova, subsp. nova. A subspecie typica foliis plerumque trijugis (rarius bijugis), foliolis oblongo-linearibus, petiolis apice processu aculeoli-formi molli subindistincto albido recto vel subincurvato distinguitur. Typus. Tuva, dist. Tes-Chemensis, declive australe jugi Tannu-Ola Orientalis, 1200 m.s.m., vallis FI. Irbitei, silva salicoso-populosa variiherbosa, 3 VIII 1972, V. Chanminczun, L. Kupalova, L. Eremenko (NS, isotypus LE). Unlike type subspecies, leaves usually with 3 (rarely 2) pairs of oblong-lanceolate leaflets. Leaf petioles with faint whitish, erect or slightly curved soft spiniform shoot at tip. In arid solonetzic meadows, river valleys, nannophyte solonchak semideserts. Cen. Sib.: TU (Irbitei river valley in Tes-Khemsk region—class, hab.—Ak-Chyra settlement, bank of Amdaigyn-Khol’ lake).—Endemic. 2. Tribulus L. 1. T. terrestris L. 1753, Sp. Pl.: 387. Annual with slender weak root and (3)10-60 cm tall stems diffuse along ground and branched right from base; together with leaf petioles and pedicels, covered with long distant and short semiappressed hairs bent at tip. Leaves (1) 2-6 cm long, (0.5) 1-3 cm broad, more often opposite, paripinnate, with small lanceolate-deltoid stipules; leaflets 4-7 pairs, 3-13 mm long, 34 1-5 mm broad, oblong or oblong-elliptical, asymmetric, obtuse, on very short petiolules, more or less compactly (specially young) covered beneath with long slender appressed hairs, glabrescent with age, subglabrous on upper surface. Flowers single, axillary, on short (4-10 mm) stems. Sepals 3-5 mm long, lanceolate, hairy outside. Petals narrow-obovate, about 10 mm long,

2006 ◽  
pp. 46-55
Keyword(s):  
River Estuary ◽  
River Valley ◽  
West China ◽  
River Valleys

A New Technique for Studying Non-tidal Drift with Results of Experiments off Gay Head, Mass., and in the Bay of Fundy

1957 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 931-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean F. Bumpus ◽  
Joseph Chase ◽  
C. Godfrey Day ◽  
David H. Frantz Jr. ◽  
David D. Ketchum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
New Technique ◽  
Bay Of Fundy ◽  
Martha's Vineyard ◽  
Saint John ◽  
Martha’S Vineyard ◽  
A New Technique

A transponding drift buoy has been developed to aid in the study of the horizontal motions of surface waters. Experiments to study the non-tidal drift off Martha's Vineyard, Mass., in June 1956, off Yarmouth, N.S., in October and November 1956, in Grand Manan Channel in October 1956, and off Saint John, N.B., in December 1956, are described and discussed.

Advancing an Ecosystem Approach in the Gulf of Maine

2012 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Organizational Studies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Integrated Policy ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Integrated Assessments ◽  
Science Symposium ◽  
State Of The Environment

<i>Abstract</i>.—This paper briefly summarizes some of the regional developments and advances in the theme “Tools for Integrated Policy and Management” that were presented at the October 2009 Gulf of Maine Science Symposium held in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Tools for integrated policy and management meet a wide range of functions and originate from a variety of fields, from the physical and biological sciences to social sciences and organizational studies. Some of the tools presented at the 2009 Gulf of Maine symposium are discussed in this paper. Knowledge gaps still exist regarding impacts of development and industrial activities, which becomes apparent when trying to evaluate and quantify cumulative impacts. Geographic information system-based tools and elements of marine spatial planning such as human use mapping can help establish better cumulative impact assessments. While it is recognized that advances in integrated policy and management have occurred since the previous (1996) Gulf of Maine science symposium, evaluation of that progress is still in development. Tools such as state of the environment reporting, integrated assessments/ ecosystem overviews, frameworks for implementation of ecosystem-based management (EBM), or approaches developed by the EBM Tools Network all assist in measuring and evaluating our progress towards full implementation of an ecosystem approach within the context of management activities and actions.

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