Quantifying shoreline modifications adjacent to eelgrass meadows in the Strait of Georgia bioregion / by John M. Cristiani, Katherine H. Bannar-Martin and Emily M. Rubidge.: Fs97-6/3574E-PDF

"Coastal marine ecosystems face threats from various marine and terrestrial human activities. Shoreline modifications that result from these activities can significantly impact the health and functioning of coastal biogenic habitats, including seagrass meadows. Quantifying the extent of shoreline modifications adjacent to seagrass meadows is therefore crucial for assessing potential human impacts to seagrass ecosystems. Here, we map, characterize, and quantify shoreline modifications adjacent to eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows in the Strait of Georgia Bioregion. Using aerial imagery and a spatial dataset of seagrass distribution, we digitized shoreline modifications within 100 meters inland of each seagrass meadow. We focused on areas that have been de-vegetated and altered from their natural state. We characterized modifications into six categories (road, residential, industrial, agriculture, greenspace, unclear). The median percent of modified shoreline area was 9%. Of the 685 meadows analyzed 19% had no modifications, and 9% were more than 50% modified. The dominant modification type was residential development. The resulting dataset provides valuable information for assessing land-use patterns and predicting impacts to nearshore ecosystems. This study highlights the importance of managing seagrass within its broader landscape context, and it emphasizes the need for ongoing data collection and analysis to inform effective seagrass management strategies"--Abstract, page v.

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