Predicting the distribution of seagrass habitat along the Texas Gulf Coast using Maxent

• In Event: Poster Presentation and Judging for: Anthropology; Botany; Conservation Ecology; Environmental Science; Freshwater Science; Geosciences; Mathematics & Computer Science; Neuroscience; Physics & Eng; Science Education; Terrestrial Ecology & Management.
  In Poster Session: Conservation Ecology Poster Session

Abstract

Seagrasses provide numerous essential ecosystem services to coastal ecosystems around the world, including stabilization of benthic habitats, provision of food and habitat for other benthic species, and maintenance of water quality. Five seagrass species occur along the Texas portion of the Gulf of Mexico, including shoal grass (Halodule wrightii), turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme), star grass (Halophila engelmannii), and widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima). However, due to disturbances caused by development and the effect of natural disasters to the wetlands where these seagrasses are found, seagrass habitats are in decline. Based on a literature search, we identified a suite of variables we considered most useful for predicting seagrass locations: bathymetry, salinity, nitrogen, and disturbance caused by boat propellers and natural disasters. Bathymetry was selected because seagrasses thrive in various depths of water and topography. Furthermore, seagrasses require specific salinity, nitrogen, and other nutrients within their environment, warranting selection of such layers. Finally, we identified disturbance as a driving factor since seagrass populations are found to reestablish after hurricanes, human impact, and other anthropogenic disturbances at slow rates. Following a priori identification of this list of factors for determining seagrass habitat suitability, we used the species distribution modeling program Maxent to model the distribution of seagrass habitat along the Texas Gulf Coast. Effective biodiversity management depends upon an understanding of habitat suitability; thus, our work represents an important first step toward the conservation of seagrasses and the ecosystem services they provide.

Authors

• Rachel Bittner, Texas Tech University

• Elizabeth L Roesler, Texas Tech University

• Matthew A Barnes, Texas Tech University