Structure and function in coastal ecosystems

Estuaries are places where rivers meet the sea in coastal bays. They are places of great productivity, providing services to people like seafood, shoreline protection, and filtration of pollutants. There are several habitat types in estuaries including mud, sand, shellfish beds, and seagrass meadows. Each of the habitats provides different services. Farming of mussels and oysters has the potential to provide some of these services in a controlled way, especially production of seafood. In order to understand the role of these habitats in the overall workings of coastal environments, computer models are used. These ecosystem models rarely include the services mentioned above, especially tied into specific habitats. However, stresses on coastal environments such as runoff from cities, farms, and industry causes damage to these habitats and the services they provide. We propose to improve ecosystem models as well as measurements in estuaries to include the role of ecosystem services. An important function of coastal habitats is the ability to remove nutrients and other harmful inputs. Using measurements and models of nutrient removal in eastern Canada, we will estimate the role of different habitats (shellfish culture, seagrass, sediments) in helping remove these wastes. We will then use these predictions to plan activities such as aquaculture as a means of helping restore the health of coastal ecosystems.