A Biogeographic assessment off North/Central California: In support of the National Marine Sanctuaries of Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay. Phase II - Environmental setting and update to marine birds and animals

NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) conducts and supports research, monitoring, assessments, and technical assistance to meet NOAA’s coastal stewardship and management responsibilities. In 2001 the Biogeography Branch of NCCOS partnered with NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) to conduct biogeographic assessments to support the management plan updates for the sanctuaries. The first biogeographic assessment conducted in this partnership focused on three sanctuaries off north/ central California: Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay. Phase I of this assessment was conducted from 2001 to 2004, with the primary goal to identify and gather the best available data and information to characterize and identify important biological areas and time periods within the study area. The study area encompasses the three sanctuaries and extends along the coastal ocean off California from Pt. Arena to Pt. Sal (35°-39°N). This partnership project was lead by the NCCOS Biogeography Branch, but included over 90 contributors and 25 collaborating institutions. Phase I results include: 1) a report on the overall assessment that includes hundreds of maps, tables and analyses; 2) an ecological linkage report on the marine and estuarine ecosystems along the coast of north/central California, and 3) related geographic information system (GIS) data and other summary data files, which are available for viewing and download in several formats at the following website: http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/canms_cd/welcome.html Phase II (this report) was initiated in the Fall of 2004 to complete the analyses of marine mammals and update the marine bird colony information. Phase II resulted in significant updates to the bird and mammal chapters, as well as adding an environmental settings chapter, which contains new and existing data and maps on the study area. Specifically, the following Phase II topics and items were either revised or developed new for Phase II: •environmental, ecological settings – new maps on marine physiographic features, sea surface temperature and fronts, chlorophyll and productivity •all bird colony or roost maps, including a summary of marine bird colonies •updated at-sea data CDAS data set (1980-2003) •all mammal maps and descriptions •new overall density maps for eight mammal species •new summary pinniped rookery/haulout map •new maps on at-sea richness for cetaceans and pinnipeds •most text in the mammal chapter •new summary tables for mammals on population status and spatial and temporal patterns

The effects of temperature on hatching and survival of northern rock sole larvae (Lepidopsetta polyxystra)

Northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra) is a commercially important flatfish in Alaska and was recently classified as a distinct species from southern rock sole (L. bilineata). Taxonomic and vital rate data for northern rock sole are still not fully described, notably at early egg and larval stages. In this study, we provide new taxonomic descriptions of late-stage eggs and newly hatched larvae, as well as temperature-response models of hatching (timing, duration, success), and larval size-at-hatch and posthatch survival at four temperatures (2°, 5°, 9°, and 12°C). Time-to-first-hatch, hatch cycle duration, and overall hatching success showed a negative relationship with temperature. Early hatching larvae within each temperature treatment were smaller and had larger yolk sacs, but larvae incubated at higher temperatures (9° and 12°C) had the largest yolk reserves overall. Despite having smaller yolks, size-at-hatch and the maximum size achieved during the hatching cycle was highest for larvae reared at cold temperatures (2° and 5°C), indicating that endogenous reserves are more efficiently used for growth at these temperatures. In addition, larvae reared at high temperatures died more rapidly in the absence of food despite having more yolk reserves than cold-incubated larvae. Overall, northern rock sole eggs and larvae display early life history traits consistent with coldwater adaptation for winter spawning in the North Pacific.

Manchester Mosslands SAC Astley and Bedford Moss, Holcroft Moss, Risley Moss

This is the report on Habitats Directive, the Review of Consents Stage 1 and 2 by the Environment Agency of the Manchester Mosslands cSAC, Astley and Bedford Moss, Holcroft Moss and Risley Moss. The Habitats Directive has the main aim to promote the maintenance of biodiversity by defining a common framework for the conservation of wild plants and animals and habitats of community interest. The Directive establishes a European ecological network known as "Natura 2000". The network comprises Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). In the section on Stage 1 or Screening Process of the Habitat Directive, it is identified the likely impacts upon the Manchester Mosslands cSAC, Astley and Bedford Moss, Holcroft Moss and Risley Moss of a project, plan or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant. In the section on Stage 2 or Appropiate Assessment of the Habitat Directive, it is considered the impact on the integrity of the Manchester Mosslands cSAC, Astley and Bedford Moss, Holcroft Moss and Risley Moss of the projects, plans or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, with respect to the site’s structure and function and its conservation objectives. Additionally, where these are adverse impacts, an assessment of the potential mitigation of those impacts. The criteria used in this report to identify relevant projects, plans or activities and their impacts are water quality discharge consents, waste management licences, abstraction licences, Integration Pollution Control (IPC) and Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) permits. Proformas, hydrogeological and GIS maps are included in the review.

West Middlands Mosses cSAC, Wybunbury Moss and Abbots Moss

This is the report on Habitats Directive, the Review of Consents Stage 1 and 2 by the Environment Agency of the West Midlands Mosses cSAC, Wybunbury Moss and Abbots Moss. The Habitats Directive has the main aim to promote the maintenance of biodiversity by defining a common framework for the conservation of wild plants and animals and habitats of community interest. The Directive establishes a European ecological network known as "Natura 2000". The network comprises Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). In the section on Stage 1 or Screening Process of the Habitat Directive, it is identified the likely impacts upon the West Midlands Mosses cSAC, Wybunbury Moss and Abbots Moss of a project, plan or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant. In the section on Stage 2 or Appropiate Assessment of the Habitat Directive, it is considered the impact on the integrity of the West Midlands Mosses cSAC, Wybunbury Moss and Abbots Moss of the projects, plans or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, with respect to the site’s structure and function and its conservation objectives. Additionally, where these are adverse impacts, an assessment of the potential mitigation of those impacts. The criteria used in this report to identify relevant projects, plans or activities and their impacts are water quality discharge consents, waste management licences, abstraction licences, Integration Pollution Control (IPC) and Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) permits. Proformas, hydrogeological and GIS maps are included in the review.

Meres and mosses conservation plan: Rostherne Mere

This is a report on the Conservation Plan for Rostherne Mere. The project primarly involved collating existing information from a variety of sources, supplemented by a limited amount of survey work commissioned for the project, including identification of the surface water catchment, water flows, and land use within the catchment. The section 1 outlines the physical situation of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), its geological setting and hydrological regime. A summary of the ecological characteristics, conservation interest and objectives is provided in Section 2, and the issues affecting the site are identified in Section 3. . Operations and mechanisms for addressing the issues are suggested in Section 4, compiled from field visits, information held on file by English Nature and the Environment Agency, and English Nature. The last Section 5 provides a brief summary of the site’s condition and a discussion of the issues and operations suggested. A summary table is provided of the recommended actions for each site. Supporting information on the hydrology and aquatic ecology (where relevant) is provided in appendices.

St. John, USVI mission report: a strategy to inventory, characterize, and monitor the marine region within and around the National Park and Monument boundaries of St. John, USVI

The intent of this field mission was to continue ongoing efforts: (1) to spatially characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance and size of both reef fishes and conch within and around the waters of the Virgin Islands National Park (VIIS) and newly established Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument (VICR), (2) to correlate this information to in-situ data collected on associated habitat parameters, (3) to use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting and to establish the efficacy of those management decisions. This work is supported by the National Park Service and NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program’s Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Project.

Mission report: a strategy to inventory, characterize, and monitor the marine region within and around the National Park and Monument boundaries of St. John, USVI, July 21- July 31, 2008

The intent of this field mission was to continue ongoing efforts: (1) to spatially characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance and size of both reef fishes and conch within and around the waters of the Virgin Islands National Park (VIIS) and newly established Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument (VICR), (2) to correlate this information to in-situ data collected on associated habitat parameters, (3) to use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting and to establish the efficacy of those management decisions. This work is supported by the National Park Service and NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program’s Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Project. The report highlights the successes of this mission.

Effect of nitrite, ammonia, and temperature on P. monodon larvae

P. monodon larvae were studied for the effects of temperature, ammonia, and nitrite on survival. Toxicity levels of nitrite were found to vary with larval stage. Larvae could tolerate ammonia up to about 10 ppm, with the effect more clearly shown by the zoea stage. Survival and growth were not significantly affected by temperature, although moulting was enhanced at temperatures higher than 29 C. Larvae of P. monodon have lower tolerance toward nitrite and ammonia compared to postlarvae. Although high survival was obtained at low levels of nitrite and ammonia, it is still necessary to know their effects on metabolism, in order to examine possible biochemical parameters for diagnosing sublethal toxicity or stress.

Distribution and abundance of cirripede larvae (Cirripedia: Thoracica) in the northern Arabian Sea

Cirripede larvae obtained in the zooplankton samples of the North Arabian Sea Ecological and Environmental Research (NASEER) cruise I (January, 1992) have been studied for their distribution and abundance. They were collected in the northern Arabian Sea waters (22°51'N to 24°58'N, 60°05'E to 65°59'E). Thirty- two samples were taken at 18 stations. The maximum number of larvae were collected from a station near Indus cone (Sta. 8), whereas an off shore station (Sta. 37) and one near the Makran coast (Sta. 60) had poor representation. Regular coastal collections from Manora Channel (24°48'N, 66°59'E), during the study period of one year (1994), have been also included to supplement the NASEER samples. Only one naupliar stage (VI) and a cyprid stage were identified. Relative abundance in day and night samples were also studied.

The design of multimesh, multidepth gillnet fleets for use in the Lake Victoria Fisheries Research Project

Multimesh, multidepth gillnet fleets are useful in assessing fish stock abundance, size distribution and depth distribution. Using data collected on net mesh selectivity for Nile perch, Lates niloticus (L.), in the Kenyan waters of Lake Victoria, suitable mesh sizes for gillnet fleets for use in the Lake Victoria Fisheries Research Project were determined. The modal selection length for Nile perch in the mesh sized used in the earlier experiment were determined, as was the size range vulnerable to capture. Initial trials suggest 60% of the Nile perch swim within 5 m of the bottom. Setting and hauling of the nets is simple and quick, allowing the nets to be used at the same time as other sampling programmes.

Teaching Change: Information Literacy Collaboration at Texas A&M University at Galveston

While college students use a wide array of technologies to access information, their skills at determining what is relevant, in a university setting and in life, are poor. Many of these skills have to be taught in college courses. Instruction must be performed by a collaborative team using technologies that effectively reach students. This team must be ready to go into the classroom when needed and be able to address the problem whenever the student needs assistance. The results will be better writing and better research skills that will not only benefit the faculty but will lead to lifelong learning.

The microbiological quality of water: the nature of the problem

Improvements in methods for the detection and enumeration of microbes in water, particularly the application of techniques of molecular biology, have highlighted shortcomings in the ”standard methods” for assessing water quality. Higher expectations from the consumer and increased publicity associated with pollution incidents can lead to an uncoupling of the cycle which links methodological development with standard-setting and legislation. The new methodology has also highlighted problems within the water cycle, related to the introduction, growth and metabolism of microbes. A greater understanding of the true diversity of the microbial community and the ability to transmit genetic information within aquatic systems ensures that the subject of this symposium and volume provides an ideal forum to discuss the problems encountered by both researcher and practitioner.

Distribution patterns of tidepool fishes on a tropical flat reef

Rockpools on a tropical f lat reef off the southeastern coast of Brazil were sampled to determine the influence of pool morphometry and water characteristics on fish community structure. The pool closest to the inner fringe of the reef had lower salinity and higher temperature due to inflow of groundwater. The other pools varied only with respect to their morphometric characteristics, algal cover, and bottom composition. Species with a strong affinity for estuarine- like waters characterized the pool closest to the beach and distinguished its fish community from that of the other pools. Instead of being strongly structured by the physicochemical setting and position in the reef, fish communities of the other pools were determined by behavioral preferences and intra- and interspecific interactions. Differences in community structure were related to pool size (the larger sizes permitting the permanency of schooling species), to algal cover (which allowed camouflage for large predatory species), to bottom composition (which provided substrate for turf flora available to territorial herbivores), and to ecological effects (e.g., competition, territoriality, and predation). Although distribution patterns of tidepool fishes have previously been related to the availability of niches, independent of pool position in the reef, our results show synergistic interactions between water properties, presence or absence of niches, and ecological relationships in structuring tidepool fish communities.

Rixton Clay Pits cSAC

This is the report on Habitats Directive, the Review of Consents Stage 1 and 2 by the Environment Agency of the Rixton Clay Pits cSAC. The Habitats Directive has the main aim to promote the maintenance of biodiversity by defining a common framework for the conservation of wild plants and animals and habitats of community interest. The Directive establishes a European ecological network known as "Natura 2000". The network comprises Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). In the section on Stage 1 or Screening Process of the Habitat Directive, it is identified the likely impacts upon the Rixton Clay Pits cSAC of a project, plan or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant. In the section on Stage 2 or Appropiate Assessment of the Habitat Directive, it is considered the impact on the integrity of the Rixton Clay Pits cSAC of the projects, plans or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, with respect to the site’s structure and function and its conservation objectives. Additionally, where these are adverse impacts, an assessment of the potential mitigation of those impacts. The criteria used in this report to identify relevant projects, plans or activities and their impacts are water quality discharge consents, waste management licences, abstraction licences, Integration Pollution Control (IPC) and Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) permits. Proformas, hydrogeological and GIS maps are included in the review.

South Pennine Moors cSAC-SPA. North West Region-South Area

This is the report on Habitats Directive, the Review of Consents Stage 1 and 2 by the Environment Agency of the South Pennine Moors cSAC/SPA. The Habitats Directive has the main aim to promote the maintenance of biodiversity by defining a common framework for the conservation of wild plants and animals and habitats of community interest. The Directive establishes a European ecological network known as "Natura 2000". The network comprises Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). In the section on Stage 1 or Screening Process of the Habitat Directive, it is identified the likely impacts upon the Rixton Clay Pits cSAC of a project, plan or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant. In the section on Stage 2 or Appropiate Assessment of the Habitat Directive, it is considered the impact on the integrity of the Rixton Clay Pits cSAC of the projects, plans or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, with respect to the site’s structure and function and its conservation objectives. Additionally, where these are adverse impacts, an assessment of the potential mitigation of those impacts. The criteria used in this report to identify relevant projects, plans or activities and their impacts are water quality discharge consents, waste management licences, abstraction licences, Integration Pollution Control (IPC) and Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) permits. Proformas, hydrogeological and GIS maps are included in the review.