Small Town News

CIB meeting to focus on macroalgae, marsh birds

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Scientists tracking pollution in the Inland Bays will get a good indicator of die levels of nutrient pollution in the bays Friday, March 26, when Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control biologist Robin Tyler presents results of his study on macroalgae.

Tyler first studied Inland Bays macroalgae in die 1990s and repeated that same study last year. Tyler looked at die total amount of algae in die bays and die distribution of different types.

He will present his findings to the Center for the Inland Bays Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee Friday, March 26.

Chris Bason, science and technical coordinator for the center, said several species of macroalgae, commonly called sea lettuce, grow in the Inland Bays, some with broad, bright-green leaves and others with long, thin leaves like grass.

It's common in coastal bays systems, such as the Inland Bays, but too much of it can be treacherous.

Macroalgae, like microalgae, respond noticeably to excessive nutrients, so they are a good indicator of the overall health of the bays, said Bason.

"It blooms, like microalgae, but because it's so large, it can be a problem, and it has been a serious problem in our bays," he said.

When there are too many nutrients in the bays, sea lettuce blooms and dominates the bottom of the bays. That's where eelgrass, the natural vegetation on the bottom of healthy bays, grows, said Bason. Sea lettuce can choke it out.

"It's a well-documented phenomenon diat bays shift from eel grass to macroalgae when nutrient loads increase," he said.

"In our bays, it's fairly unhealthy because it limits diversity," Bason explained.

At the same meeting, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control scientist Alison Rogerson will present work she did as a master's student, examining how long piers affect birds.

Bason said, "There is a large class of birds called secretive marsh birds that includes rails, herons and egrets." He said Rogerson's study looked at how piers that jut'far into the water affect their habits.

The committee will also elect new officers at the meeting.

CIB COMMITTEE MEETS

MARCH 26 IN LEWES

The Center for the Inland Bays Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee meets from 9 a.m. to noon, Friday, March 26, at the University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean and Environment Cannon Lab Room 104.

Find The Center for the Inland Bays online at inlandbays.org.





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