A5030010513- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Marine and fisheries research
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Underwater Acoustics Research
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Seismic Imaging and Inversion Techniques
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Plant and animal studies
- Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Echinoderm biology and ecology
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Ocean Acidification Effects and Responses
- Marine Toxins and Detection Methods
Bedford Institute of Oceanography
2016-2025
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
2016-2025
Dalhousie University
2024
University of New Brunswick
2003-2006
Seagrass meadows are among the most productive and diverse marine ecosystems, providing essential structure, functions, services. They also impacted by human activities in urgent need of better management protection. In Canada, eelgrass ( Zostera marina) found along Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic coasts, thus occur across a wide range biogeographic conditions. Here, we synthesize knowledge ecosystems Canada’s highlighting commonalities differences environmental conditions, plant, habitat,...
This study examined echinoderm assemblages from nearshore rocky habitats for large-scale distribution patterns with specific emphasis on identifying latitudinal trends and large regional hotspots. Echinoderms were sampled 76 globally-distributed sites within 12 ecoregions, following the standardized sampling protocol of Census Marine Life NaGISA project (www.nagisa.coml.org). Sample-based species richness was overall low (<1–5 per site), a total 32 asteroid, 18 echinoid, 21 ophiuroid, 15...
Abstract A global decline in seagrass populations has led to renewed calls for their conservation as important providers of biogenic and foraging habitat, shoreline stabilization carbon storage. Eelgrass ( Zostera marina ) occupies the largest geographic range among species spanning a commensurately broad spectrum environmental conditions. In Canada, eelgrass is managed single phylogroup despite occurring across three oceans ocean temperatures salinity gradients. Previous research focused on...
Advances in underwater imaging enable collection of extensive seafloor image datasets necessary for monitoring important benthic ecosystems. The ability to collect imagery has outpaced our capacity analyze it, hindering mobilization this crucial environmental information. Machine learning approaches provide opportunities increase the efficiency with which is analyzed, yet large and consistent support development such are scarce. Here we present BenthicNet: a global compilation designed...
Coastal biogenic habitats are vulnerable to human impacts from both terrestrial and marine realms. Yet the broad spatial scale used in current approaches of quantifying anthropogenic stressors is not relevant finer scales affecting most coastal habitats. We developed a standardized impact metric that includes five bay-scale four local-scale (0–1 km) marine-based quantify magnitude bays nearshore applied this 180 seagrass beds ( Zostera marina), an important habitat prioritized for...
Characterizing the response of ecosystems to global climate change requires that multiple aspects environmental be considered simultaneously, however, it can difficult describe relative importance metrics given their collinearity. Here, we present a novel framework for disentangling complex ecological effects variability by documenting emergent properties eelgrass ( Zostera marina ) across ∼225 km Atlantic Coast Nova Scotia, Canada, representing gradients in temperature, light, sediment...
This study examined spatial relationships between rocky shore polychaete assemblages and environmental variables over broad geographical scales, using a database compiled within the Census of Marine Life NaGISA (Natural Geography In Shore Areas) research program. The consisted abundance measures polychaetes classified at genus family levels for 74 93 sites, respectively, from nine geographic regions. We tested general hypothesis that set emerging as potentially important drivers variation in...
Gastropod assemblages from nearshore rocky habitats were studied over large spatial scales to (1) describe broad-scale patterns in assemblage composition, including by feeding modes, (2) identify latitudinal pattern of biodiversity, i.e., richness and abundance gastropods and/or regional hotspots, (3) potential environmental anthropogenic drivers these assemblages. Gastropods sampled 45 sites distributed within 12 Large Marine Ecosystem regions (LME) following the NaGISA (Natural Geography...
Satellite remote sensing is a valuable tool to map and monitor the distribution of marine macrophytes such as seagrass seaweeds that perform many ecological functions services in coastal habitats. Various satellites have been used these bottom habitat-forming species, with each sensor providing unique benefits. In this study, we first explored optimal methods create habitat maps using WorldView-3 satellite imagery. We secondly compared previously produced Sentinel-2 temperate, optically...
Latitudinal gradients in species abundance and diversity have been postulated for nearshore taxa but few analyses done over sufficiently broad geographic scales incorporating various depth strata to empirically test these gradients. Typically, are based on literature reviews lists focused alpha across the entire zone. No studies used a standardized protocol field examine density among sites large spatial scale while also focusing particular strata. The present research collected samples...
Seagrass meadows are ecologically important habitats that declining globally at an accelerating rate due to natural and anthropogenic stressors. Their decline is a serious concern as this habitat provides many ecosystem services. Eelgrass (Zostera marina) the dominant seagrass species in western North Atlantic. It has recently been established invasive tunicate possibly threaten health of eelgrass beds. Colonization leaves by tunicates can inhibit growth may cause shoot mortality. To...
Abstract Seagrass beds inhabit highly heterogeneous temperature regimes that characterize the marine nearshore. Temperature directly influences seagrasses and also provides indirect information on other ecologically relevant environmental variables. Multiple processes operate seasonal sub‐seasonal timescales (i.e., hours to months) include variation from air–sea heat fluxes, advective transport upwelling tidal circulation, daily heating cooling of shallow waters. Despite this,...
We examined the effects of invasive colonial tunicates (golden star, Botryllus schlosseri; violet Botrylloides violaceus), and native breadcrumb sponge (Halichondria panicea) on growth, survival, light attenuation eelgrass (Zostera marina). Eelgrass shoot growth survival were higher for unfouled shoots than fouled shoots, dependent fouling species identity. Growth was lowest with tunicate fouling, fouling. A large proportion (0.20-0.38) marked measurements not found during retrieval compared...
Abstract We obtained and analyzed a baseline dataset of Zostera marina (eelgrass) dynamics in three adjacent bays Nova Scotia, Canada. The field sites were Kejimkujik National Park Seaside (Keji), Port l’Hebert (PH), Joli (PJ). Measures Z. growth production, including shoot density, aboveground belowground biomass, productivity, sampled monthly for 1 year. Physical parameters, water temperature, suspended solids, nutrients, ice cover, algal presence, also measured. Seasonal cycles leaf...
Abstract Reduced light availability is a leading cause of seagrass declines worldwide. Light deficiency can be chronic or episodic, where pulsed stress punctuated by periods optimal light. Seagrass resilience to likely modulated the durations and level reduction, yet remains poorly understood. We used laboratory experiment examine response recovery Zostera marina 16 weeks three types disturbance: (i) continuous (C; constant shade), (ii) episodic low (EL; cycles 4 days shade:3 no (iii) high...
Sentinel-2 satellite imagery has been successfully used to map submerged seagrasses in clear waters, and surface-canopy forming seaweed habitats a range of water types. We examined the ability use remote sensing reflectance classify fully seagrass optically complex, temperate waters within high priority management region Atlantic Canada. To do so, we determined "best" image available between 2015 2019 based on tidal height, absence sun glint clouds, transparency. Using full tile,...
Relationships of diversity, distribution and abundance benthic decapods in intertidal shallow subtidal waters to 10 m depth are explored based on data obtained using a standardized protocol globally-distributed samples. Results indicate that decapod species richness overall is low within the nearshore, typically ranging from one six taxa per site (mean = 4.5). Regionally Gulf Alaska crustacean community structure was distinguishable by depth, multivariate analysis indicating increasing...
Sexual reproduction is critical to the resilience of seagrass beds impacted by habitat degradation or environmental changes, as robust seed banks allow new shoots establish each year. Reproductive strategies range on a continuum from strictly annual perennial, driven local conditions. We examined reproductive dynamics Zostera marina at six sites Atlantic coast Canada characterize how life history are shaped surrounding environment. Sites were categorized wave protected and exposed, where...