28.05.2014 Views

appendix b final 2008 biological surveys of los angeles and long ...

appendix b final 2008 biological surveys of los angeles and long ...

appendix b final 2008 biological surveys of los angeles and long ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

8.0 Eelgrass<br />

adjacent to most transects within the selected eelgrass beds to ensure that density transects<br />

were representative <strong>of</strong> the surrounding area <strong>and</strong> to acquire ancillary information used for sidescan<br />

sonar density interpretations.<br />

8.2.4 Data Analysis<br />

Statistical analysis <strong>of</strong> eelgrass distribution <strong>and</strong> turion density was consistent with previous<br />

baseline studies (MEC 2002) to provide direct comparisons between survey efforts. Turion<br />

density (turions/m 2 ) means <strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ard deviations were calculated for each transect. The<br />

spatial extent <strong>of</strong> eelgrass beds was calculated as acres per location <strong>and</strong> compared to previous<br />

results. Some differences in turion density sampling methodologies, including differences in the<br />

level <strong>of</strong> effort (number <strong>of</strong> quadrats sampled), are discussed below. Patch analysis was<br />

considered, but the low number <strong>of</strong> transects representing most <strong>of</strong> the eelgrass beds, patchy<br />

distribution <strong>of</strong> the beds, variable turions densities, <strong>and</strong> high density st<strong>and</strong>ard deviations made<br />

this approach infeasible.<br />

8.3 RESULTS<br />

8.3.1 Eelgrass Distribution<br />

The distribution <strong>of</strong> eelgrass beds is limited primarily by<br />

physical factors such as depth, light, <strong>and</strong> substrate,<br />

such that only limited habitat is available within the<br />

generally deep water <strong>of</strong> the Ports <strong>of</strong> Los Angeles <strong>and</strong><br />

Long Beach. Both Ports are spatially dominated by<br />

waters greater than -20 ft MLLW depth <strong>and</strong> are well<br />

protected (e.g., by breakwaters) to accommodate<br />

marine commerce <strong>and</strong> public recreation, thus reducing<br />

circulation <strong>and</strong> water quality compared to open coastal<br />

environments. The majority <strong>of</strong> the Ports’ bathymetry is<br />

comprised <strong>of</strong> well maintained dredged channels that<br />

limit the optimum habitat available to support extensive<br />

eelgrass beds. Two areas have previously been<br />

identified that support persistent <strong>and</strong> concentrated<br />

eelgrass beds within the Port <strong>of</strong> Los Angeles: (1) Cabrillo Beach near the far west end <strong>of</strong> the<br />

outer Los Angeles Harbor, including the Cabrillo Beach Youth Facility to the north <strong>and</strong> Inner<br />

Cabrillo Beach to the south; <strong>and</strong> (2) east <strong>of</strong> Pier 300 including the shallow water mitigation<br />

habitat <strong>and</strong> Seaplane Lagoon (Figure 8.3-1). Eelgrass was introduced to the Port <strong>of</strong> Los<br />

Angeles in 1985 as a result <strong>of</strong> plantings <strong>of</strong>f the Cabrillo Beach Youth Camp as part <strong>of</strong> mitigation<br />

to <strong>of</strong>fset eelgrass impacts from dock construction in Huntington Harbor, although a limited<br />

amount <strong>of</strong> eelgrass was already present in the general area (H<strong>of</strong>fman pers. comm. 2009). No<br />

eelgrass beds were observed within the boundary limits <strong>of</strong> the Port <strong>of</strong> Long Beach, but potential<br />

habitat <strong>and</strong> adjacent eelgrass beds were observed, as discussed below.<br />

8.3.2 Results by Eelgrass Area <strong>and</strong> Season<br />

8.3.2.1 Cabrillo Beach<br />

Spring (April) <strong>2008</strong><br />

A total <strong>of</strong> 36.0 acres <strong>of</strong> eelgrass was recorded in the Cabrillo Beach area adjacent to the swim<br />

beach (“Cabrillo South”) <strong>and</strong> Cabrillo Beach Youth Facility (“Cabrillo North”) during the April<br />

<strong>2008</strong> <strong>surveys</strong> (Figure 8.3-2). This was comprised <strong>of</strong> 26.7 acres at the north site, <strong>and</strong> 9.33 acres<br />

8–4 <strong>2008</strong> Biological Surveys <strong>of</strong> Los Angeles <strong>and</strong> Long Beach Harbors<br />

April 2010

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!