Biophysical and Ecological Overview of the Eastern Shore Islands Area of Interest (AOI)
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Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Research Document 2019/025 Maritimes Region Biophysical and Ecological Overview of the Eastern Shore Islands Area of Interest (AOI) Nicholas W. Jeffery, Susan G. Heaslip, Lydia A. Stevens, and Ryan R.E. Stanley Coastal Ecosystem Science Division, Science Branch Fisheries and Oceans Canada Bedford Institute of Oceanography P.O. Box 1006, 1 Challenger Drive Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4A2 June 2020 Foreword This series documents the scientific basis for the evaluation of aquatic resources and ecosystems in Canada. As such, it addresses the issues of the day in the time frames required and the documents it contains are not intended as definitive statements on the subjects addressed but rather as progress reports on ongoing investigations. Published by: Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat 200 Kent Street Ottawa ON K1A 0E6 http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/ [email protected] © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2020 ISSN 1919-5044 Correct citation for this publication: Jeffery, N.W., Heaslip, S.G., Stevens, L.A., and Stanley, R.R.E. 2020. Biophysical and Ecological Overview of the Eastern Shore Islands Area of Interest (AOI). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2019/025. xiii + 138 p. Aussi disponible en français : Jeffery, N.W., Heaslip, S.G., Stevens, L.A., et Stanley, R.R.E. 2020. Aperçu biophysique et écologique du site d’intérêt (SI) des îles de la côte Est. Sec. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2019/025. xiii + 149 p. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................. vii LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS ........................................................................................................ x LIST OF ACRONYMS............................................................................................................... xi ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................. xiii INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................1 OVERVIEW CONTENT .......................................................................................................... 1 PHYSICAL SETTING ..................................................................................................................2 DIVERSITY OF HABITATS .................................................................................................... 2 COASTAL AND SEABED GEOLOGY .................................................................................... 3 Bedrock .............................................................................................................................. 3 Glaciation and glacial deposits ........................................................................................... 3 Post-glacial sea-level rise and resulting deposits................................................................ 4 Post-glacial deposition in bays and inner harbours ............................................................. 5 Comparison with the Atlantic innermost shelf ..................................................................... 5 Links Between Geology and Biology .................................................................................. 5 PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY .............................................................................................. 6 CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY ............................................................................................. 7 Nutrients ............................................................................................................................. 7 Oxygen ............................................................................................................................... 8 Contaminants ..................................................................................................................... 8 HUMAN IMPACT METRICS..................................................................................................10 Bay-scale impacts .............................................................................................................10 Seagrass bed-scale impacts .............................................................................................11 Results ..............................................................................................................................12 BIOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................12 RESEARCH SURVEYS IN THE EASTERN SHORE ISLANDS ............................................12 4VsW Sentinel Survey.......................................................................................................12 Settlement Surveys ...........................................................................................................13 PLANKTON...........................................................................................................................13 Phytoplankton and Other Microbes ...................................................................................13 Zooplankton ......................................................................................................................13 BENTHIC HABITATS AND COMMUNITIES .........................................................................14 Classification of Benthic Habitats and Communities of the Eastern Shore Islands.............14 AQUATIC MACROPHYTES..................................................................................................16 Eelgrass ............................................................................................................................16 Salt Marsh .........................................................................................................................17 Macroalgae (Seaweed and Kelp) ......................................................................................18 iii INVERTEBRATES ................................................................................................................21 Diversity ............................................................................................................................21 Invasive Species ...............................................................................................................21 Sponges and Cnidarians ...................................................................................................23 Tunicates ..........................................................................................................................23 Lobster ..............................................................................................................................24 Crabs ................................................................................................................................25 Echinoderms .....................................................................................................................25 Polychaetes .......................................................................................................................26 Molluscs ............................................................................................................................26 Other Invertebrates ...........................................................................................................28 FISH ......................................................................................................................................28 Fish Diversity .....................................................................................................................28 PELAGIC AND DIADROMOUS FISHES ...............................................................................29 Atlantic Salmon .................................................................................................................29 River Herring .....................................................................................................................30 American Eel .....................................................................................................................30 Tunas and Mackerel ..........................................................................................................31 Atlantic Herring ..................................................................................................................32 Sharks ...............................................................................................................................32 BENTHIC AND DEMERSAL FISHES ....................................................................................33 Atlantic Cod .......................................................................................................................33 Haddock ............................................................................................................................34 Pollock ..............................................................................................................................34 Wolffish .............................................................................................................................35