Ecology of Albemarle Sound, North Carolina: an estuarine profile

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5300268

Copeland, B J; Hodson, R G; Riggs, S R; Easley, Jr, J E

Albemarle Sound, a large oligohaline estuary in northeastern North Carloina, constitutes a significant portion of North Carolina's coastal system. It is shallow, wind dominated, and strongly influenced by freshwater inflow. These conditions, combined with limited oceanic access and exchange, maintain fresh- to brackish water conditions throughout most of the estuary during the year. The nekton are the most well-known biological component of this extensive estuarine system. Albemarle Sound is an important nursery area for a number of anadromous and migratory fish as well as the blue crab and supports fisheries for many of these species. Other biological components (phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthos) in the estuary are less well studied. Declining fisheries, algal blooms in freshwater tributaries, and changing patterns of land and water use are among the critical issues facing managers of Albemarle Sound. This report discusses current steps being taken toward holistic management and provides a state-of-the-art information base and ecological synthesis of the estuary and its watershed. 89 references, 50 figures, 19 tables.

• Research Organization: North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh (USA); East Carolina Univ., Greenville, NC (USA). Dept. of Geology
• OSTI ID: 5300268
• Report Number(s): FWS/OBS-83/01; ON: DE84900658
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BENTHOS
CLIMATES
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEMS
ESTUARIES
FEDERAL REGION IV
FISHES
FISHING INDUSTRY
FOOD CHAINS
GEOLOGY
HYDROLOGY
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LAND USE
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NORTH CAROLINA
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