Species of Interest
Species of interest were divided into 4 groups: finfish, shellfish, crabs, and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). All species chosen were selected due to their important role in recreational or commercial fishing and/or their importance to the ecosystem in the food web or as habitat space for other species. Individual species in each category are listed below as well as their important biological limits, and their relevance to the economy and environment.
Photo by: ufs.gov
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Striped Bass (Morone saxitilis)
Have 7-8 horizontal stripes down their sides and range from olive green to brown-black in color with a silver underside. Species can live up to 30 years and reach up to 5 ft in length. Striped Bass populations are below target levels largely due to overfishing. Biological Limits: T < 46F DO > 5.0 mg/L Importance: Fisheries, Top Predator |
Photo by: NOAA Fisheries
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Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)
Bluefish have sharp teeth with a distinctive jaw. Their upper bodies are blueish on top with silvery undersides. Bluefish travel along the U.S. East coast and are highly migratory species. They can live up to 12 years and are fast growing, able to reach 39 inches. These are top predators in coastal areas but are main food sources for sharks and billfish in the open ocean. Biological Limits: T > 14-16F DO > 5.0 mg/L Importance: Fisheries, Top Predator, Predator-Prey Interactions |
Photo by: fws.gov
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Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)
Oysters are bivalve mollusks, with a hinged shell that is white to white-brown and is bumpy, with a "cupped" shape. After a larval juvenile stage, oysters settle on the bottom, producing a cement-like substance onto other oysters or hard surfaces, creating oyster beds. One oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water in one day, which helps to improve water quality. Eastern oysters are harvested along the U.S. East Coast. Biological Limits: 0F < T < 45F DO > 5 mg/L Importance: Fisheries, Water Quality, Habitat |
Photo by: fws.gov
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Hard Clam (Mercenaria mercenaria)
Hard clams have thick hinged shells that are white or grey with growth rings. The inner shell is purple in color and was used by Native Americans as wampum. Hard clams grow up to 3-5 inches and can live up to 40 years. Clams burrow into the sand or sediment and filter feed by extending their siphons to the surface. Hard clams are harvested along the East Coast. Biological Limits: 0F < T < 42F DO > 5.0 mg/L Importance: Fisheries, Water Quality, Habitat |
Photo by: nps.gov
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Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis)
Blue mussels are black or dark blue in color and have a hinged shell since they are bivalve mollusks. They are relatively sessile, attaching themselves with byssal threads to rocks and other hard surfaces in sub and intertidal regions. Blue mussels are a large part of the shellfish industry and are found on both coasts. These, along with other shellfish, help clean our waters by filter feeding. Biological Limits: T < 28 F DO > 1.0 mg/L Importance: Fisheries, Water Quality, Habitat |
Photo by: http://fl.biology.usgs.gov
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Ribbed Mussel (Geukensia demissa)
Ribbed mussels have ribbed shells that are dark brown in color. They are found in salt marshes and mud flats and are extremely tolerant of physical parameters like T, Sal, and DO. Ribbed mussels cannot be eaten but they clump together around cordgrass with their byssal threads, which stabilizes the substrate and provides habitat space for other organisms. They also filter feed which helps with water quality. Biological Limits: T < 56F DO > 1.0 mg/L Importance: Water Quality, Habitat |
Photo by: nps.gov
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Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus)
Blue crabs have bright blue claws and an olive green carapace that can be up to 9 inches across. Blue crabs have paddle-like back legs (swimmers) and are predators, feeding on bivalve mollusks, other crustaceans, and anything they can find. Female blue crabs have red colored tips on their claws and get an orange "sponge" egg sac on their underside during mating months in the summer. Blue crab fisheries, both recreational and commercial, are important along the eastern U.S. coast. Biological Limits: T < 33F DO > 6.5 mg/L Importance: Fisheries, Predator and Prey Interactions |
Photo by: Colin Faulkingham
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Eelgrass (Zostera marina)
Eelgrass is long, ribbon-like grass that can grow up to 4 feet in length. Eelgrass beds are found in salty, tidal waters where enough sunlight can penetrate through the water column. Beds are important nursery areas for many fish and crustaceans living in the region and so are important for supporting healthy, future populations of key species. Eelgrass beds are eaten by migratory waterfowl and can be compromised by decreased water quality. Biological Limits: T < 33F Turb. < 5 NTU Chl-a < 12-15 ug/L Importance: Habitat, Water Quality, Slows Erosion |
Photo by: plants.usda.gov
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Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima)
Widgeon grass has thin, delicate leaves with branching along the stem. It is a tolerant species, able to survive in a range of salinities, from fresh to saline waters. The extensive root system of widgeon grass helps to stabilize the sediment and prevent erosion. Grass beds are cut back on by feeding migratory waterfowl. Biological Limits: T < 33F Turb. < 5 NTU Chl-a < 12-15 ug/L Importance: Habitat, Water Quality, Slows Erosion |
References for species' information:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species
https://www/chesapeakebay.net/S=0/fieldguide
References for biological limits:
Brennan, C. E., Blanchard, H., & Fennel, K. (2016). Putting Temperature and Oxygen Thresholds of Marine Animals in Context of
Environmental Change: A Regional Perspective for the Scotian Shelf and Gulf of St. Lawrence. PLOS ONE, 11(12), 1–19.
Marsh, J.A., Dennison, W.C., & Alberte, R.S., 1986. Effects of temperature on photosynthesis and respiration in eelgrass (Zostera
marina). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology & Ecology, 101: 257-267
Nestlerode, M. (2009). Geukensia demissa. Animal Diversity.org
Stoklosa, A. M., Keller, D. H., Marano, R., & Horwitz, R. J. (2018b). A Review of Dissolved Oxygen Requirements for Key Sensitive
Species in the Delaware Estuary.
Tyler-Walters, H. & d'Avack, E.A.S., 2015. [Ruppia maritima] in reduced salinity infralittoral muddy sand. In Tyler-Walters H. and
Hiscock K. (eds) Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, Plymouth: Marine Biological
Association of the United Kingdom.
U.S. Department of the Interior - U.S. Geological Survey. (2016). Estimation of Secchi Depth from Turbidity Data in the Willamette
River at Portland, OR.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2001). Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual (EPA-822-B-01-003).
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species
https://www/chesapeakebay.net/S=0/fieldguide
References for biological limits:
Brennan, C. E., Blanchard, H., & Fennel, K. (2016). Putting Temperature and Oxygen Thresholds of Marine Animals in Context of
Environmental Change: A Regional Perspective for the Scotian Shelf and Gulf of St. Lawrence. PLOS ONE, 11(12), 1–19.
Marsh, J.A., Dennison, W.C., & Alberte, R.S., 1986. Effects of temperature on photosynthesis and respiration in eelgrass (Zostera
marina). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology & Ecology, 101: 257-267
Nestlerode, M. (2009). Geukensia demissa. Animal Diversity.org
Stoklosa, A. M., Keller, D. H., Marano, R., & Horwitz, R. J. (2018b). A Review of Dissolved Oxygen Requirements for Key Sensitive
Species in the Delaware Estuary.
Tyler-Walters, H. & d'Avack, E.A.S., 2015. [Ruppia maritima] in reduced salinity infralittoral muddy sand. In Tyler-Walters H. and
Hiscock K. (eds) Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, Plymouth: Marine Biological
Association of the United Kingdom.
U.S. Department of the Interior - U.S. Geological Survey. (2016). Estimation of Secchi Depth from Turbidity Data in the Willamette
River at Portland, OR.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2001). Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual (EPA-822-B-01-003).