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

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Executive Summary<br />

EELGRASS<br />

Eelgrass communities are spatially <strong>and</strong> temporally dynamic as influenced by physical <strong>and</strong><br />

<strong>biological</strong> factors associated with site-specific characteristics <strong>and</strong> regional oceanographic<br />

conditions. Based on the rapid recruitment <strong>and</strong> growth tendencies <strong>of</strong> eelgrass coupled with the<br />

physical <strong>and</strong> <strong>biological</strong> requirements <strong>of</strong> these plants, eelgrass communities are relatively easy<br />

to locate but can be difficult to quantify. Eelgrass habitat is important to associated <strong>biological</strong><br />

communities, water quality, <strong>and</strong> sediment stabilization <strong>and</strong>, where suitable habitat exists, can be<br />

a surrogate indicator <strong>of</strong> the relative health <strong>of</strong> Port waters. The ability to map <strong>and</strong> describe<br />

persistent <strong>and</strong> new eelgrass beds within the Ports provides important data for underst<strong>and</strong>ing the<br />

evolution <strong>and</strong> dynamics <strong>of</strong> eelgrass communities <strong>and</strong> their contributions to the environment.<br />

Eelgrass communities delineated during the present <strong>surveys</strong> were consistent with previous<br />

investigations <strong>and</strong> established additional information on eelgrass density, morphology, <strong>and</strong><br />

regional context. However, in contrast to the 2000 baseline study, little or no seasonal<br />

variability was evident between spring <strong>and</strong> fall <strong>2008</strong> <strong>surveys</strong>. Competition for habitat space by<br />

various marine algal species was more prevalent in <strong>2008</strong> than during the 2000 baseline survey.<br />

Additionally, there was less consistency <strong>and</strong> more patchiness <strong>of</strong> the majority <strong>of</strong> the eelgrass<br />

areas at both Cabrillo Beach <strong>and</strong> the Pier 300/Seaplane Anchorage area compared to results<br />

from MEC (2000) <strong>and</strong> Merkel & Associates (<strong>2008</strong>).<br />

BIRDS<br />

Los Angeles <strong>and</strong> Long Beach Harbors provide valuable habitat for foraging, resting, <strong>and</strong><br />

breeding by numerous species <strong>and</strong> individuals <strong>of</strong> birds. Over 100 avian species use the various<br />

habitats within the Ports seasonally, year-round, or during migration. A total <strong>of</strong> 96 species<br />

representing 30 families were observed within the Ports during the current study. Of these<br />

species, 68 are dependent on marine habitats.<br />

Species numbers varied seasonally, with a greater variety <strong>of</strong> birds present in fall <strong>and</strong> winter <strong>and</strong><br />

fewer species during summer, consistent with large-scale migratory patterns. Bird abundance<br />

was more variable <strong>and</strong> was attributed to differences in bird migratory patterns <strong>and</strong> nesting<br />

activities. Bird abundance a<strong>long</strong> the southern California coast typically follows a seasonal<br />

pattern, with the greatest numbers <strong>of</strong> individuals <strong>and</strong> species occurring during fall <strong>and</strong> winter.<br />

Several special status species were commonly observed during the present study, including<br />

large numbers <strong>of</strong> the recently delisted California brown pelican which use the outer breakwaters<br />

as resting habitat. The endangered California least tern successfully nests at a designated site<br />

on Pier 400, <strong>and</strong> the endangered Peregrine falcon nests on bridges within the harbors. Nonlisted<br />

special status species observed during the current study included black-crowned night<br />

heron, great blue heron, black oystercatcher, black skimmer, Caspian tern, elegant tern, doublecrested<br />

cormorant, <strong>and</strong> burrowing owl. Several <strong>of</strong> those species, including the cormorant,<br />

herons, oystercatcher, <strong>and</strong> terns, were observed nesting at the Ports during the current study.<br />

Similar to the previous baseline study (MEC 2002), birds observed during the current study<br />

were not equally distributed among survey zones. The highest numbers <strong>of</strong> birds were noted in<br />

the Long Beach West Basin <strong>and</strong> main shipping channel <strong>of</strong> Los Angeles Harbor, with counts<br />

being approximately an order <strong>of</strong> magnitude lower at small basin <strong>and</strong> channel zones at inner<br />

harbor locations.<br />

EXOTIC SPECIES<br />

Similar to the previous baseline study (MEC 2002), the only exotic (non-indigenous) fish species<br />

collected in the <strong>2008</strong> sampling <strong>surveys</strong> was the yellowfin goby (Acanthogobius flavimanus),<br />

<strong>2008</strong> Biological Surveys <strong>of</strong> Los Angeles <strong>and</strong> Long Beach Harbors ES–5<br />

April 2010

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