LOUISIANA COOPERATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT

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1 LOUISIANA COOPERATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana Cooperating Agencies: Sammy King (225) U.S. Geological Survey Alan D. Afton (225) Louisiana State University Megan La Peyre (225) Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries FAX (225) Wildlife Management Institute Date: December 17, 2015 Re: FINAL SUMMARY - Occurrence and variation in submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) along the northern Gulf of Mexico: a hierarchical approach to assess impacts of environmental change on SAV resources; September August 31, 2015 Please find attached the Final Summary for the project Occurrence and variation in submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) along the northern Gulf of Mexico: a hierarchical approach to assess impacts of environmental change on SAV resources. This summary provides an overview of tasks accomplished, and products (peer review publications, presentations, student training) during the first 3 years of this 5 year project. This project is on-going with funding from other organizations including Gulf Coast Joint Venture, FWS SSP Region 2 and Region 4 and Gulf Coast Prairie LCC. Please contact me if you have any questions, Megan La Peyre mlapey@lsu.edu

2 FINAL SUMMARY 2012 South Central Climate Science Center Funding; December ADMINISTRATIVE: Project title: Occurrence and variation in submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) along the northern Gulf of Mexico: a hierarchical approach to assess impacts of environmental change on SAV resources. Principal Investigator (PI): Megan La Peyre Phone number of PI: of PI: mlapey@lsu.edu Name and number of PI s cost center: U.S. Geological Survey, Louisiana Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit; GGHEBD3400 Names/Affiliations of other cooperators and partners: Dr. Andy Nyman, Louisiana State University AgCenter; Dr. Mike Poirrier, University of New Orleans; Brady Couvillion, U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center; Joy Merino, National Marine Fisheries Service; Dr. Mike Brasher, Ducks Unlimited, Gulf Coast Joint Venture; Dr. Stephen DeMaso, US Fish and Wildlife Service/Gulf Coast Joint Venture; Barry Wilson, Gulf Coast Joint Venture. Final Report for entire Project period: September 1, 2012 August 31, PUBLIC SUMMARY: Submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities are highly productive ecosystems that provide significant ecological benefits within coastal areas, including support for many important species of fish and wildlife. Despite their critical importance, and loss globally, we lack consistent baseline data on SAV resources across the coastal salinity gradient. This project is part of a larger funded effort which has the overall objectives to document the occurrence and abundance of SAV resources (e.g., coverage, composition, seed resources) within the northern Gulf of Mexico over three years, to quantitatively assess environmental factors affecting SAV spatial and temporal variation, and to develop a conceptual model and maps of factors influencing SAV resources that can be used in predictive modeling. This portion of the project provides 2 years of coast-wide SAV data documenting percent cover, species composition, total biomass, and relating these to discrete water quality variables, nutrients, and landscape position. We determined the distribution and abundance of SAV in 384 sites in ngom coastal marshes in summer 2013 and 2014, and seed biomass in SAV resources were found to occur across the coastal zone, with approximately 20% of all sampled sites having SAV present. Salinity and water depth were the best predictors of SAV presence and biomass coast-wide, with more SAV resources in fresher marshes. As local SLR models predict altered salinities along the ngom, these findings suggest concurrent changes in spatial distribution and abundance of seed and SAV resources for fish and wildlife. Understanding the drivers that influence SAV resources across salinity zones is critical to predict potential changes in coastal ecosystems in response to climate change Additional funding acquired will be used to develop maps of SAV spatial distributions based on these data, and statistically identify models to predict changes in SAV resources with changing coastal salinities and water depths. This work will contribute to the refinement of existing models of ecosystem change and directly benefit efforts of the Gulf Coast Joint Venture (GCJV), Gulf Coast Prairies (GCP) Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC), and Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks (GCPO) LCC in forecasting the effects of these changes on distribution, abundance, and diversity of SAV resources and the priority fish and wildlife populations that depend upon them. 1

3 3. TECHNICAL SUMMARY: This projects primary goal was to provide data on occurrence and abundance of SAV resources within the fresh to saline coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico, and to relate these findings to key environmental variables. These goals were met for 2013 and 2014, the two years that were covered by this funding. Specific achievements, highlighted below, include (1) devising robust coast-wide sampling schemes, and (2) successfully collecting SAV resource and environmental data at 384 sites across the coast within each year. We successfully devised a spatially and statistically robust approach to sampling SAV resources across the northern Gulf of Mexico coast. With Brady Couvillion and Holly Beck (U.S. Geological Survey, WARC), we devised a coast-wide mask for site selection within areas where SAV could potentially exist (detailed in Hillmann et al., in press). The creation of this coast-wide potential SAV mask was developed to ensure that we were not sampling outside of the potential growth area of SAV and provides a novel product on its own. Within this mask, we applied a clustered, stratified (by salinity zone, region) design to identify 176 sites for coast-wide annual sampling. These sites were sampled once in 2013 and once in 2014 (June-September) under this research project. For all sites, we collected data on SAV presence/absence, species present, above and below-ground SAV biomass, seed bank species composition, and seed biomass by species, and discrete water quality (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, ph, water depth) at the time of data collection. We further developed a spatial mask which expanded our sampling, to include small coastal ponds, which were not part of the SAV mask, with the assistance of Michael Brasher (DU, GCJV), Barry Wilson (GCJV) and Stephen DeMaso (FWS/GCJV). This mask was created to ensure that smaller ponds, not captured by the SAV mask were also sampled (detailed in DeMarco et al., in press). The creation of this mask was developed to capture shallow water interior ponds where waterfowl are known to congregate and feed, and provides a potential novel product on its own as well. Within this mask, we applied a clustered, stratified (by salinity zone, region) design to identify 176 sites for coast-wide annual sampling. These sites were sampled once in 2013 and once in 2014 (June-September) under this research project. For all sites, we collected data on SAV presence/absence, species present, above and below-ground SAV biomass, seed bank species composition, and seed biomass by species, and discrete water quality (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, ph, water depth) at the time of data collection. We determined the distribution and abundance of SAV at all 384 sites in ngom coastal marshes in summer 2013 and 2014, and seed biomass in 2013 to determine patterns and relationships of these communities to salinity zone, water depth and geographic location. The results of these analyses are documented and presented in Hillmann et al. (in press) and DeMarco et al. (in press). These research results will be used extensively along the ngom as they provide a consistent baseline dataset of SAV resources, from AL to Nueces River, TX. This dataset will be invaluable in developing predictive models of SAV resources, allowing assessments of ecosystem vulnerability, changing resource availability based on SLR modeling, and allow for the coupling of SAV models with hydrodynamic and SLR models to determine the future availability of SAV resources. This work will contribute to the refinement of existing models of ecosystem change and directly benefit efforts of the GCJV, GCP LCC, and GCPO LCC in forecasting the effects of these changes on distribution, abundance, and diversity of SAV resources and the priority fish and wildlife populations that depend upon them. Furthermore, these data will enable energetic modeling of foraging capacity for waterfowl and address Issue #2 identified in the GCJV 2003 Evaluation Plan (Wilson 2003) by providing data to estimate the foraging value of coastal marsh habitats. 2

4 4. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: This project s primary goal was to provide data on occurrence and abundance of SAV resources within the fresh to saline coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico, and to relate these findings to key environmental variables. These goals were met for 2013 and 2014, the two years that were covered by this funding. These data will serve the coastal management community by providing a baseline dataset for the northern Gulf of Mexico of SAV resources. This dataset will be invaluable in assessing habitat vulnerability, building predictive models of SAV resources, determining carrying capacity for dependent wildlife and fishery species. As such, it will serve the larger natural resource community, including local, state and federal coastal managers, waterfowl agencies and organizations, habitat managers wanting to assess and predict future SAV resources under different conditions, and help in better understanding the basic ecology of SAV resources within this region. The project proposal identified a hierarchical, tiered design which is being followed. This funding contributed to years 1-3 of a five year project, and covered the first two years of the Tier 1 sampling in the original proposal. The Tier 1 sampling is to provide data on occurrence and abundance of SAV resources across the ngom (as stated above). This was completed. We are in the process of finishing Tier 2 and Tier 3 data collection, with other leveraged funding for this project. Tier 2 provide for intra-annual variation and more detailed environmental variable collection in relation to SAV resources. Tier 3 data provides for specific testing of SAV community with changing environmental variables through controlled greenhouse experiments. These are all continuing. A few changes from the original proposal for Tier 1 data collection involve sampling from June through September as opposed to the stated August through October. This change was made partly due to limited access to sites once hunting seasons start in our coastal marshes. Furthermore, the goal was to identify a time period when we expect to have a peak in SAV resources, and June-September captures this. A second change was in the sampling design. After consulting with a statistician, we moved away from a watershed approach, and selected random polygons along the coast. Because many of our estuaries/watersheds have very unique characteristics, this random polygon approach served to ensure a more random approach, allowed us to increase the number of polygons (clusters) sampled, but maintained the number of samples. 5. ORGANIZATION AND APPROACH: This project involved numerous personnel, including a large number of students. A large portion of the funding went directly to support these graduate and undergraduate students, as well as to support the costs associated with extensive field work (boats, gas, trucks, etc ). In particular, two graduate students, Kristin DeMarco and Eva Hillmann (PhD students in Renewable Natural Resources, LSU AgCenter), formed the core team, collecting, analyzing and overseeing day to day work related to this project. They were and continue to be critical to completion of this project. Furthermore, in order to assist with the extensive field work and the even more extensive lab processing, a large number of undergraduate students from the School of Renewable Natural Resources, LSU AgCenter were hired and supported on this project. These students were involved in all aspects of the project from field preparation, equipment maintenance, data collection, lab processing and data entry. Many of the students were involved with the project for 2 + years. Overall approach, including design of initial sampling, involved input from all project collaborators, and benefitted greatly from drawing on expertise from different backgrounds, and from individuals representing organizations with different foci. Scientific methods used, field and laboratory techniques used are detailed in the two papers in press (DeMarco et al., Hillmann et al.) for Tier 1 data collection (see attached). 3

5 6. PROJECT RESULTS: Analyzed project results to date are available in two publications which are in press: Hillmann, ER, KE DeMarco and M La Peyre. Accepted. Establishing a baseline of estuarine SAV biomass resources within coastal areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Presentation and paper. Proceedings of the Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. (IPDS ) DeMarco, KE, ER Hillman, M Brasher and M La Peyre. Accepted. Changes in coastal salinities may affect waterfowl food resources in submerged aquatic vegetation habitats in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Proceedings of the Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. (IPDS ) 7. ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS: Research findings to date are available in the two publications, and in presentations made at conferences in 2015 (listed in 9. Outreach). 8. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This project is still on-going, but interim findings are discussed in the two peer-reviewed manuscripts in press (Hillmann et al., DeMarco et al., ). Incorporation of the third year of Tier 1 sampling into the results will provide a more complete picture of SAV resources, including inter-annual variation in resources. Completion and analysis of Tier 2 data will provide a better picture of intra-annual variation in SAV resources, and more explicit understanding of drivers of SAV communities and community change. Completion and analysis of Tier 3 data will provide some quantitative data on SAV species relationship with key variables (i.e., salinity, turbidity). These portions of the project are being completed with funding from other agencies, including the Gulf Coast Joint Venture, Fish and Wildlife Service SSP Funding (Region 2 and Region 4), Gulf Coast Prairie LCC and the U.S. Geological Survey Louisiana Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit. 9. OUTREACH: We have discussed this project via one webinar, one invited seminar, and four conference presentations as detailed below. We also have 5 presentations planned for the first half of 2016 to present new data from this project, including some of the combined data collected through this funding, and other partner funding. (*presenter; students funded by this project in italics) Completed presentations (available on request): Webinar (1): La Peyre*, MK, DeMarco, KE, Hillmann, ER Changing coastal salinities will affect submerged aquatic vegetation resources in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Webinar to South Central Climate Science Center. May Invited Presentations (1): Kristin Elise DeMarco*, Eva Hillman, Megan La Peyre SAV and seed resource availability in coastal marshes across the northern Gulf of Mexico. Invited talk with Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. 4

6 Conference Presentations (4): DeMarco, KE*, ER Hillman, M Brasher and M La Peyre Changes in coastal salinities may affect waterfowl food resources in submerged aquatic vegetation habitats in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana Association of Professional Biologists, Baton Rouge, LA. August Hillmann, ER*, KE DeMarco and M La Peyre Establishing a baseline of estuarine SAV biomass resources within coastal areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico. 6 th Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, November 1-4, 2015 (IPDS ). DeMarco, KE*, ER Hillman, M Brasher and M La Peyre Changes in coastal salinities may affect waterfowl food resources in submerged aquatic vegetation habitats in the northern Gulf of Mexico. 6 th Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. November 1-4, (IPDS ) DeMarco, KE*, ER Hillmann, MK La Peyre Changing coastal salinities will affect submerged aquatic vegetation resources in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Coastal and Estuarine Federation Bi- Annual Conference. Nov 8-12, Portland OR. (IPDS ) Planned conference presentations/submitted: Darnell, K.*, T. Carruthers, P. Biber, MK La Peyre, KE DeMarco, ER Hillmann The nutrient status of submerged aquatic vegetation along a salinity gradient in Louisiana. State of the Coast, June, New Orleans, LA. DeMarco, KE*, M. Osland, S. Brown, B. Couvillion, MK La Peyre Drawing the map of submerged aquatic vegetation in the northern Gulf of Mexico: distribution and patterns of abundance across salinity zones. State of the Coast, June 2016, New Orleans, LA. (IPDS ) Hillmann, ER*, DeMarco, KE, AJ Nyman, La Peyre MK Environmental drivers of seasonal variability in coastal marsh pond SAV communities along a salinity gradient in Barataria basin, Louisiana, U.S.A. State of the Coast, June 2016, New Orleans, LA. (IPDS ). Hillmann, ER*, Rivera-Monroy, VH, MK La Peyre Long-term carbon storage of submerged aquatic vegetation beds across the salinity zone within deltaic estuaries of the northern Gulf of Mexico. (IPDS ) La Peyre, MK Session Moderator. Abundance, Distribution and Ecosystem Functions of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in Coastal Louisiana. State of the Coast, June 2016, New Orleans, LA. (IPDS ) Video: Two undergraduates who have been funded and worked on this project in the lab and field for several years created an 8 minute video on the project for a class. It is available on request. Galland, M., Flucke, C., and Cormier, J RNR 4011 Wildlife Management Techniques Class. School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA. Instructor: Professor Bret Collier. Abstracts for presentations made (* presenter; students funded by project, in italics): (1) La Peyre*, MK, DeMarco, KE, Hillmann, ER Changing coastal salinities will affect submerged aquatic vegetation resources in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Webinar to South Central Climate Science Center, May Abstract: As coastal ecosystems are increasingly exposed to the effects of sea-level rise (SLR), habitats will undergo community and species-level changes. Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds exist in coastal ecosystems as foundation species, and will be some of the first impacted by SLR. In the northern 5

7 Gulf of Mexico (ngom) these areas provide multitudes of services to fish and wildlife, providing valuable refuge and food resources. Consequently, their abundance and composition influence the general suitability of coastal habitat for bird and fish species, including potential waterfowl carrying capacity. Despite the documented importance of SAV within coastal ecosystems, little is known about their distribution across salinity zones or the potential impacts of SLR on their abundance. We determined the distribution and abundance of SAV in 384 sites in ngom coastal marshes in summer 2013 and 2014, and seed biomass in 2013 to determine patterns and relationships of these communities to salinity zone, water depth and geographic location. Over the sampling period, we documented 13 species of present SAV, and 45 seed species across the coastal marshes. Of the 13 species of SAV documented, three species (Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Ruppia maritima) accounted for 54% of aboveground biomass collected. Above-ground biomass was highest in 2014 freshwater habitats as compared to all other year and habitat combinations (F=3.447, p=0.017). Above-ground biomass of the dominant species was partially explained by water depth (C. demersum, R 2 = 0.19, M. spicatum, R 2 = 0.39), turbidity (M. spicatum, R 2 = 0.27) and salinity (R. maritima, R 2 = 0.15). We found significant differences in total seed biomass (SAV, emergent vegetation, woody species) among salinity zones; seed biomass was greatest in fresh and brackish marshes, exceeding the potential giving-up threshold for waterfowl of 5 g m -2. Although mean total cover of SAV was similar across salinity zones, mean above-ground SAV vegetation and SAV seed biomass were highest in fresh marsh. As local SLR models predict altered salinities along the ngom, these findings suggest concurrent changes in spatial distribution and abundance of seed and SAV resources for fish and wildlife. Understanding the drivers that influence SAV resources across salinity zones is critical to predict potential changes in coastal ecosystems in response to climate change. (2) DeMarco, KE*, ER Hillman, M Brasher and M La Peyre SAV and seed resource availability in coastal marshes across the northern Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana Association of Professional Biologists, Baton Rouge, LA. August Abstract: Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities are highly productive ecosystems that provide significant ecological benefits and are prevalent in coastal areas vulnerable to sea level rise (SLR). To fully understand how climate change will alter these coastal communities, it is necessary to characterize the distribution and impact of altered salinity on SAV resource availability. In the northern Gulf of Mexico (ngom), which is especially vulnerable to SLR, the abundance and distribution of SAV food resources (seeds, rhizomes and tissue) can influence the carrying capacity of coastal marshes for wintering waterfowl. We estimated SAV cover and seed biomass at 192 sample sites in coastal marshes from Texas to Alabama from June 1-September to assess variation in SAV and seed resource distribution and abundance across the coastal salinity gradient. Overall, 14 species of SAV were documented, with salinity and water depth identified as dominant drivers of SAV assemblages. Percent cover of SAV was similar among salinity zones (10-20%) although patterns of distribution differed. Specifically, SAV occurred less frequently in saline zones, but when present the percent coverage was greater in the saline zone than in fresh, intermediate and brackish. Mean seed biomass varied greatly and did not differ significantly among salinity zones. However, when considering only seed species identified as waterfowl foods, mean seed biomass was lower in saline zones than fresh, intermediate and brackish zones. Future studies to evaluate the link between SAV community response and waterfowl species vulnerability will explore the use of waterfowl and SAV isotope data to assess the relative contribution of specific SAV species to the overall diet. (3) DeMarco, KE*, ER Hillman, M Brasher and M La Peyre Changes in coastal salinities may affect waterfowl food resources in submerged aquatic vegetation habitats in the northern Gulf of Mexico. 6 th Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. November 1-4, 2015 (IPDS ) 6

8 Abstract: As coastal ecosystems are increasingly exposed to the effects of sea-level rise (SLR), habitats will undergo community and species-level changes. Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds are prevalent in shallow water environments and will be some of the first impacted by SLR. In the northern Gulf of Mexico (ngom) wintering waterfowl are closely linked to SAV as their seeds, rhizomes, and leafy material are valuable food resources. Accordingly, their abundance and composition influence the carrying capacity of coastal marshes for waterfowl. Despite the documented importance of SAV within coastal ecosystems, and specifically to waterfowl, little is known about their distribution across salinity zones or the potential impacts of SLR on their abundance. We estimated SAV cover and seed biomass in coastal marshes from Texas to Alabama in summer 2013 to determine patterns and relationships to salinity zone, water depth and geographic location. We found significant differences in total seed biomass (SAV, emergent vegetation, woody species) among salinity zones; seed biomass was greatest in fresh and brackish marshes, exceeding the potential giving-up threshold for waterfowl of 5 g m -2. Although mean total cover of SAV was similar across salinity zones, mean SAV seed biomass was highest in fresh marsh. As local SLR models predict altered salinities along the ngom, these findings suggest concurrent changes in spatial distribution and abundance of seed resources for waterfowl. Understanding variation in seed and SAV resources across salinity zones is critical to predict and manage for potential changes in coastal ecosystems in response to climate change. (4) Hillmann, ER*, KE DeMarco and M La Peyre Establishing a baseline of estuarine SAV biomass resources within coastal areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico. 6 th Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, November 1-4, 2015 (IPDS ) Abstract: Coastal ecosystems are dynamic and productive but vulnerable to changes associated with global climate change. Despite their limited areal extent, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) serve important ecological functions including provision of habitat and food resources and are considered foundation species. Yet, there is limited understanding of factors controlling their distribution across the extensive fresh to saline coastal habitats along the northern Gulf of Mexico (ngom) preventing predictive models of future resource availability. We sampled 384 potential coastal SAV sites across the ngom in 2013 and 2014, and examined community and species-specific SAV distribution and biomass in relation to year, salinity, turbidity and water depth. Over the two years of sampling, 13 species of SAV were documented, with three species (Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Ruppia maritima) accounting for 54% of above-ground biomass collected. Above-ground biomass was highest in 2014 freshwater habitats as compared to all other year and habitat combinations (F=3.447, p=0.017). SAV below-ground material accounted for 19% of total biomass in fresh habitat, and over 26% of total biomass in intermediate, brackish and saline habitats. Above-ground biomass of the dominant species was partially explained by water depth (C. demersum, R 2 = 0.19, M. spicatum, R 2 = 0.39), turbidity (M. spicatum, R 2 = 0.27) and salinity (R. maritima, R 2 = 0.15). Understanding the environmental drivers that influence SAV distribution across salinity zones, as well as the allocation of SAV biomass fractions will ultimately enable more accurate predictive modeling and management of SAV resources under different scenarios of restoration and climate change. (5) DeMarco, KE*, ER HIllmann, MK La Peyre Changing coastal salinities will affect submerged aquatic vegetation resources in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Coastal and Estuarine Federation Biennial Conference. Nov 8-12, Portland OR. (IPDS ). Abstract: As coastal ecosystems are increasingly exposed to the effects of sea-level rise (SLR), habitats will undergo community and species-level changes. Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds exist in coastal ecosystems as foundation species, and will be some of the first impacted by SLR. In the northern Gulf of Mexico (ngom) these areas provide multitudes of services to fish and wildlife, providing valuable refuge and food resources. Consequently, their abundance and composition influence the general suitability of coastal habitat for bird and fish species, including potential waterfowl carrying capacity. 7

9 Despite the documented importance of SAV within coastal ecosystems, little is known about their distribution across salinity zones or the potential impacts of SLR on their abundance. We determined the distribution and abundance of SAV in 384 sites in ngom coastal marshes in summer 2013 and 2014, and seed biomass in 2013 to determine patterns and relationships of these communities to salinity zone, water depth and geographic location. Over the sampling period, we documented 13 species of present SAV, and 45 seed species across the coastal marshes. We found significant differences in total seed biomass (SAV, emergent vegetation, woody species) among salinity zones; seed biomass was greatest in fresh and brackish marshes, exceeding the potential giving-up threshold for waterfowl of 5 g m -2. Although mean total cover of SAV was similar across salinity zones, mean above-ground SAV vegetation and SAV seed biomass were highest in fresh marsh. As local SLR models predict altered salinities along the ngom, these findings suggest concurrent changes in spatial distribution and abundance of seed and SAV resources for fish and wildlife. Understanding the drivers that influence SAV resources across salinity zones is critical to predict potential changes in coastal ecosystems in response to climate change. (6) Darnell, K.*, T. Carruthers, P. Biber, MK La Peyre, KE DeMarco, ER Hillmann The nutrient status of submerged aquatic vegetation along a salinity gradient in Louisiana. State of the Coast, June, New Orleans, LA. (IPDS ). Abstract: Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities are critical ecosystems that support many ecosystem functions including carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and export of organic matter. The Louisiana coast supports high diversity of submerged aquatic vegetation that span both salinity (freshwater to saltwater) and nutrient (low to high) gradients. Freshwater and brackish water-tolerant SAV grow across most of the Louisiana coast, whereas saline-adapted species (seagrasses) are restricted to growing offshore along the Chandeleur Islands. Essential baseline data on plant dynamics, including species-specific nutrient content, are lacking for SAV species in Louisiana, despite the necessity of this information for predicting change under future scenarios. We used SAV collected from an extensive northern Gulf of Mexico-wide survey in 2014, and seagrass collected from the Chandeleur Islands between 1998 and 2015 to assess species-specific spatial and temporal variation in plant nutrient status across the coast. Nutrient content of seagrasses was similar across sites at the Chandeleur Islands, and leaf nutrient levels of the dominant seagrass species, turtle grass, have remained consistently high over time. Nutrient content of freshwater and brackish water varied across species and locations, and is likely related to the surrounding nutrient conditions. Data from this study can be used to better predict change under future scenarios, and understand potential implications of historical and potential future changes in SAV for ecosystem functions, specifically nutrient and carbon storage. (7) DeMarco, KE*, M. Osland, S. Brown, B. Couvillion, MK La Peyre Drawing the map of submerged aquatic vegetation in the northern Gulf of Mexico: distribution and patterns of abundance across salinity zones. State of the Coast, June 2016, New Orleans, LA. (IPDS ) Abstract: Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is a critical habitat in the northern Gulf of Mexico (ngom) coastal landscape. Many species of wildlife, including highly desirable waterfowl populations, depend on SAV for food, and will adjust population numbers and location according to SAV presence and cover. However, the distribution, abundance and patterns of growth of SAV across salinity zones remains poorly understood. To better understand these patterns, we sampled 384 sites across the ngom extending from San Antonio Bay, Texas to Mobile Bay, Alabama during 3 separate growing seasons ( ). Here, we define predictors for SAV presence across salinity zones and present a map of observed SAV presence, abundance and distribution. Hydrodynamic drivers (water level and salinity) are combined with habitat features (marsh type, pond size, and fetch) to estimate percent cover under present day conditions. These maps and data are the first step in the application of hydrodynamic modeling to describe SAV resource response to changes in salinities and water levels as a result of sea-level rise and 8

10 landscape change. Additionally, these estimates and predictions of SAV resources assist researchers attempting to predict wildlife response to a changing climate. (8) Hillmann, ER*, DeMarco, KE, AJ Nyman, La Peyre MK Environmental drivers of seasonal variability in coastal marsh pond SAV communities along a salinity gradient in Barataria basin, Louisiana, U.S.A. State of the Coast, June 2016, New Orleans, LA. (IPDS ). Abstract: Predicted effects of climate change are expected to alter the distribution and composition of habitat types and vegetation communities within coastal estuaries. Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is ecologically and economically significant and grows along the estuarine salinity gradient from fresh to saline. While several studies indicate that water depth, water clarity and salinity are key predictors of SAV biomass and community composition, their accuracy in highly variable estuarine environments, such as coastal Louisiana, is limited. We documented bi-monthly changes in SAV biomass and water quality (salinity, water depth, PAR, nutrients, sediment characteristics) at sixteen sites, stratified by salinity in Barataria Bay, LA over a 12 month period. All sites were located in proximity to continuous water data recorders providing hourly salinity, water level and temperature data. All sites differed in community composition and SAV biomass throughout the year- indicating a highly dynamic habitat. While temperature variation was similar between all sites, salinity and water levels varied significantly temporally within each site, and spatially between sites, with intermediate and brackish sites being exposed to the greatest ranges of values. Lowest salinity sites, on average, maintained higher species richness and biomass throughout the year as compared to other sites, while saline sites had lowest species richness and biomass. Discrete annual sampling or predictive models based only on annual sampling likely only represent a small fraction of the diversity and variability in SAV biomass across a dynamic salinity gradient in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Improved understanding of relationships between environmental variation and SAV response throughout the year is critical to accurately quantify these resources. More precise models will enable resource managers to more precisely predict effects of climate change and restoration on SAV and their associated fish and wildlife. (9) Hillmann, ER*, Rivera-Monroy, VH, MK La Peyre Long-term carbon storage of submerged aquatic vegetation beds across the salinity zone within deltaic estuaries of the northern Gulf of Mexico. (IPDS ) Abstract: Coastal wetlands (cypress swamps, mangrove forests, salt marsh and seagrasses) capture and retain carbon at high rates, playing a significant role in the global carbon cycle. Low decomposition rates, high net primary productivity, and high allochthonous organic matter deposition contribute to the ability of these ecosystems to optimize carbon storage. However, sequestration depends on total biomass availability, degree of refractory material, canopy structure, and plant morphology and diversity. Within Louisiana s deltaic coast, significant variation in coastal submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) biomass and species composition exists across salinity gradients. Currently there is a lack of data which constrains carbon budgets in coastal SAV systems in subtropical latitudes, particularly in muddy coasts with largescale sediment transport. We quantified long-term carbon storage in fresh to saline SAV beds across three deltaic Louisiana estuaries (Pontchartrain, Barataria, and Terrebonne). Sediment cores were collected across the salinity gradient in 2015 following a random stratified design across salinity zones (fresh, intermediate, brackish, and saline). Along with each core, we recorded water column salinity and depth, vegetation percent cover, and species composition. Sediment bulk density, percent organic matter and total carbon for each 10-cm section of cm length cores were quantified. These data provide a first estimate of SAV carbon sequestration potential along the salinity gradient of coastal ecosystems, incorporating non-seagrass species. Ultimately, these data provide increased resolution on carbon sequestration and storage estimates across coastal vegetated systems in the northern Gulf of Mexico. 9

11 (10) La Peyre, MK Session Moderator: Abundance, Distribution and Ecosystem Functions of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in Coastal Louisiana. State of the Coast, June 2016, New Orleans, LA. (IPDS ) Abstract: Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities are critical ecosystems that provide important ecological functions such as carbon and nutrient cycling and sequestration, and habitat and food for priority species of crustaceans, fish and wildlife. Coastal Louisiana has large, and increasing, areas of shallow open water that support high SAV diversity and span a wide salinity gradient from freshwater to saltwater. Whereas freshwater and brackish water-tolerant SAV grow across most of the Louisiana coast, saline-adapted species (seagrasses) are restricted to growing offshore along the Chandeleur Islands. Particularly in areas undergoing rapid change, such as coastal Louisiana, baseline data on plant occurrence and distribution is essential for predicting change under future scenarios and understanding implications of potential future changes in SAV on ecosystem functions. As the transition from emergent marsh to shallow open water habitat may increase areal extent of SAV, increased understanding of SAV in Louisiana is required to understand the implication of these transitions for supporting ecosystem functions. This session will focus on the status of SAV in coastal Louisiana, specifically the abundance and distribution of common species, and the ecosystem functions supported by these species which includes carbon and nutrient cycling and sequestration. Attached: Hillmann, ER, KE DeMarco and M La Peyre. Accepted. Establishing a baseline of estuarine SAV biomass resources within coastal areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Presentation and paper. Proceedings of the Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. On Nov 6, :59 PM, "Steven Sammons" <sammosm@auburn.edu> wrote: Dear Eva, I am happy to accept your publication, Establishing a Baseline of Estuarine Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Resources Across Salinity Zones Within Coastal Areas of the Northern Gulf of Mexico, for publication in the 2015 Journal of SEAFWA. Attached is the final version I am sending to the General Editor. This has only been lightly edited for format and wording. Before I send this to the General Editor, I need separate figure files sent to me, in *jpg or similar format. Please consult the Guide to Authors for any other questions. After I receive those files, I will send them on to Arnie and any subsequent contact will come from him. Thank you for an excellent submission to the Journal of SEAFWA. I look forward to receiving more in the future. Sincerely. Steve Sammons, Fisheries Technical Editor Journal of the Southeastern Associated Fish and Wildlife Agencies Steven M. Sammons, Ph.D School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences 203 Swingle Hall Auburn University, AL (334)

12 DeMarco, KE, ER Hillman, M Brasher and M La Peyre. Accepted. Changes in coastal salinities may affect waterfowl food resources in submerged aquatic vegetation habitats in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Proceedings of the Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. From: James Alan Martin <martinj@warnell.uga.edu> Date: Tue, Sep 29, 2015 at 9:59 AM Subject: JSEAFWA Manuscripts To: Greetings authors, If you are receiving this , then your manuscript 1 will be accepted to the Journal of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Volume 3. Thus, congratulations to all of you! I wanted to send out this quick to inform you all of this so that you can meet the early registration deadlines (click here to register online today). Although this confirms your manuscript will be accepted, there still will be revisions that will need to be addressed. I will be working with each of you individual to do that in the coming weeks and months. The last two volumes were available online in March the following year. We will be working within that parameter. Sorry for any delays in getting reviews back. However, I don t think this issue is unique to JSEAFWA, unfortunately. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Kind regards, jm 1 For those of you that have submitted two manuscripts, this confirms that at least one of those has been accepted. James A. Martin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources & Savannah River Ecology Lab University of Georgia Athens, GA Office Location: Forestry Office: *notice this is a new number. Cell: It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain an idea without accepting it. Aristotle 11