Bulkheads disrupt ecological connections between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

Sarah M. Heerhartz, PhD

Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group 17 May 2015

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Graphics created using ArcGIS 10.1

• Armored-unarmored beach pairs • Focus of my research: aquatic-terrestrial

linkages

Armoring = 27% of total shoreline length

Study location: Puget Sound

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Variability in types of armoring structures

RANGE OF ELEVATIONS: 1.97 m – 4.72 m MLLW

VERTICAL CONCRETE

VERTICAL RIPRAP

VERTICAL WOOD

SLOPED RIPRAP

Methods

Beach profiles Wrack and log surveys

4 Snorkel surveys Bird surveys Wrack invertebrates

3 STUDY YEARS, SAMPLING IN SPRING AND FALL

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Snorkel surveys

Bird surveys

Beach wrack and inverts Width of

log line Max elevation

MLW

Beach width

= DECREASE

= CHANGE

Beach wrack and nearshore food webs

Terrestrial

Aquatic

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Logs

Beach hoppers

Beetles Flies

Terrestrial

Aquatic

Shoreline armoring and nearshore food webs

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Terrestrial

Aquatic

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Aquatic-terrestrial connectivity is an important component of Puget Sound nearshore food webs

Conclusion

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Questions???

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Restoration example: Seahurst Park

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“Restoration” example: Olympic Sculpture Park