The ecology of the soft-bottom benthos of San Francisco Bay: A community profile
Benthic species composition in San Francisco Bay reflects the highly variable environment and the predominance of introduced species. Species abundances vary greatly with season, reflecting both intrinsic (reproduction/mortality) and extrinsic (salinity, sedimentation, wind) factors. Larger year-to-year variations appear associated with climatic patterns and unusual climatic events. Filter feeders predominate, with growth in some species linked to the availability of microalgae. They may prevent the growth of nuisance algal blooms. Benthic invertebrates are, in turn, food for fish, aquatic birds, and humans. Sediments and organisms are contaminated with wastes, but effects at the population level (declines in abundance) or community level (changes in species composition) are not easily distinguished from natural variability. Permanent effects of freshwater diversion or dredging on benthic community structure have not been detected. Shellfish harvesting, once commercially prominent, is restricted to sports digging of two introduced clam species. The renewal of commercial oyster growing, now being considered, requires resolution of contamination issues. The future management of the estuary's benthic resources depends on increased awareness of the need to protect and enhance these resources, on increased commitments to estuarine research, and on improved strategies for overcoming human-induced problems. 214 refs., 38 figs., 4 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA (USA). Water Resources Div.; San Francisco State Univ., Tiburon, CA (USA). Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies
- OSTI ID:
- 7056414
- Report Number(s):
- BR-85(7.19); ON: TI89002501
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CHEMICAL WASTES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COMMUNITIES
EVALUATION
SAN FRANCISCO BAY
BASELINE ECOLOGY
BENTHOS
CALIFORNIA
ESTUARIES
FISHERIES
MORTALITY
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
REPRODUCTION
SEA BED
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SEDIMENTATION
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ECOLOGY
FEDERAL REGION IX
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
PACIFIC OCEAN
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VARIATIONS
WASTES
520100* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)