Monthly Archives: April 2013

Metchosin Bioblitz 2011-2012 lists for Sector 7, Weir’s Beach to Taylor Beach Bluffs

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PrintSector 7. Weirs and Taylor Beach Bluffs – A variety of cliff face, beach, estuary and rocky shores, with intertidal areas.

 Thanks to Kem Luther for providing the Metchosin Bioblitz Records for this Coastal Sector and to the individuals who examined the area on the day of the Bioblitz , in April, 2012

Species Common name Species-Group  sub-group
Acrosiphonia coalit Greenrope Algae  chlorophyta
Alaria marginata  brown algae Algae  paheophyta
Costaria costata Five-ribbed kelp Algae  phaeophyta
Cystoseira sp Bladder Leaf Alga phaeophyta
Enteromorpha intestinalis Tube weed Algae  chlorophyta
Fucus sp. Rockweed Algae  phaeophyta
Lithothamnion sp.  re encrusting Algae  rhodophyta
Mazaella sp. Iridescent red algae Algae  rhodophyta
Scytosiphon lomentaria Soda Straw Algae  phaeophyta
Stephanocystis geminata Algae  phaeophyta
Ulva lactuca Sea lettuce Algae  chlorophyta
Leucolepis acanthoneuron Palm tree moss Bryophyte Moss moist, rich site
Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Cat’s paw moss Bryophyte Moss moist, rich site
Balanus crenatus Crenate barnacle Invertebrate Arthropod
Balanus glandula Acorn barnacle Invertebrate Arthropod
Cancer magister Dungeness crab Invertebrate Arthropod
Cancer productus Red rock crab Invertebrate Arthropod
Caprella sp. Skeleton shrimp Invertebrate Arthropod
Chromopleustes oculatus Black and White Sea Flea Invertebrate Arthropod
Chthamalus dalli Little brown barnacle Invertebrate Arthropod
Crangon alaskensis Northern Crangon Invertebrate Arthropod
Gnorimosphaeroma oregonense Stubby Isopod Invertebrate Arthropod
Hemigrapsus nudus Purple Shore Crab Invertebrate Arthropod
Heptacarpus spp Shrimp Invertebrate Arthropod
Idotea wosnesenskii Rockweed isopod Invertebrate Arthropod
Pagurus hirsutiusculus Hairy hermit crab Invertebrate Arthropod
Petrolisthes eriomerus Flattop crab Invertebrate Arthropod
Pugettia gracilis Graceful kelp crab Invertebrate Arthropod
Semibalanus cariosus Thatched barnacle Invertebrate Arthropod
Spirontocaris sp Shrimp Invertebrate Arthropod
Anthopleura elegantissima Aggregating anemone Invertebrate Cnidaria
Urticina crassicornis Painted Anemone Invertebrate Cnidaria
Evasterias troschelli Mottled Star Invertebrate Echinoderm
Pycnopodia helianthoides Sunflower Star Invertebrate Echinoderm
Clinocardium nuttallii Nuttall’s Cockle Invertebrate Mollusc
Littorina scutulata Checkered Periwinkle Invertebrate Mollusc
Littorina sitkana Sitka Periwinkle Invertebrate Mollusc
Lottia digitalis Finger limpet Invertebrate Mollusc
Lottia pelta Shield Limpet Invertebrate Mollusc
Macoma nasuta Bent-nose macoma Invertebrate Mollusc
Macoma secta White Sand Macoma Invertebrate Mollusc
Mopalia liignosa Woody Chiton Invertebrate Mollusc
Mopalia muscosa Mossy Chiton Invertebrate Mollusc
Mytilus  trossulus Pacific Blue Mussel Invertebrate Mollusc
Nucella lamellosa Wrinkled Dogwinkle Invertebrate Mollusc
Nucella ostrina Northern Striped Dog Winkle Invertebrate Mollusc
Nuttallia obscurata Dark Mahogany Clam Invertebrate Mollusc
Rostanga pulchra Red Nudibranch Invertebrate Mollusc
Tectura persona Mask Limpet Invertebrate Mollusc
Tectura
scutum		 Shield limpet Invertebrate Mollusc
Tonicella lineata Lined Chiton Invertebrate Mollusc
Eudistylia vancouveri Feather duster worm Invertebrate Polychaete
Schizobranchia sp. Feather duster worm Invertebrate Polychaete
Thelepus sp Spaghetti worm Invertebrate Polychaete
Halichondria sp. Yellow encrusting sponge Invertebrate Porifera
Ophlitaspongia pennata Red Encrusting Sponge Invertebrate Porifera
Pyura haustor Warty Tunicate Invertebrate Tunicate tunicate, not in efauna
Peltigera aphthosa Rock lichen Lichen xeric (rock)
Pentagramma triangularis Goldenback fern Vascular plant Fern sub-xeric
Polystichum munitum Sword fern Vascular plant Fern scattered
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken fern Vascular plant Fern disturbed ground
Achillea millefolium yarrow Vascular plant Forb
Alyssum sp. Alyssum Vascular plant Forb
Ambrosia chamissonis Silver burr ragweed Vascular plant For adjacent to beach
Angelica sp. sea-watch? Vascular plant Forb
Aquilegia formosa Columbin Vascular plant Forb scattered
Brassica campestris Fieldnmustard Vascular plant Forb scatteredn
Cardamine oligosperma Few-seeded bitter-cress Vascular plant Forb mesic
Chenopodium album Lamb’s-quarters Vascular plant Forb open, disturbed area
Cirsium edule Edible thistle Vascular plant Forb toe slopes, exposed
Claytonia perfoliata Miner’s lettuce Vascular plant Forb sub-hygric
Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed Vascular plant Forb base of bluffs
Equisetum arvense Horsetail Vascular plant Forb sandy wet sites
Erodium cicutarium stork’s bill Vascular plant Forb
Galium aparine Cleavers (bedstraw) Vascular plant Forb toe of bluffs
Geranium molle dove’s foot geranium Vascular plant Forb
Geranium robertianum Herb-Robert Vascular plant Forb toe of bank
Geum macrophyllum Large-leaved avens Vascular plant Forb permesic
Heracleum maximum cow-parsnip Vascular plant Forb
Heuchera micrantha Small flowered alumroot Vascular plant Forb occasional
Hyacinthoides sp. bluebells Vascular plant Forb
Hyacinthus orientalis Hyacinth Vascular plant Forb escaped
exotic
Hypochaeris radicata Hairy catsear Vascular plant Forb mesic
Lamium purpureum purple dead nettle Vascular plant Forb
Lathyrus japonicus Beach pea Vascular plant Forb open toe slope, adj. to beach
Linnaea borealis Twinflower Vascular plant Forb shaded forest
Lithophragma parviflorum Small-flowered woodland star Vascular plant Forb occasional
Lysichiton americanus Skunk cabbage Vascular plant Forb on Garry Fletcher’sr’s prop.
Maianthemum  dilatatum False lily of the valley Vascular plant Forb on Garry Fletcher’sr’s prop.
Medicago lupulina Black medic Vascular plant Forb disturbed site
Mitella brewerii Brewer’s mitrewort Vascular plant Forb occasional
Oenanthe sarmentosa Pacific water-parsley Vascular plant Forb sub-hygric
Osmorhiza chilensis sweet-cicely Vascular plant Forb
Phragmites australis Common reed Vascular plant Forb open wet meadow
Plantago sp. plantain Vascular plant Forb
Platanthera sp. rein orchid Vascular plant Forb
Potentilla anserina silverweed Vascular plant Forb
Potentilla anserina Common silverweed Vascular plant Forb marsh adjacent to lagoon
Prunella vulgaris Self-heal Vascular plant Forb moist microsite
Ranunculus occidentalis Western buttercup Vascular plant Forb open areas
Ranunculus sp. buttercups Vascular plant Forb
Ranunculus uncinatus Small-flowered buttercup Vascular plant Forb openings next to beach
Romanzoffia tracyi Tracey’s mistmaiden Vascular plant Forb
Rumex acetosella sheep sorrel Vascular plant Forb
Rumex sp. dock Vascular plant Forb
Saxifraga sp. Saxifrage  Vascular plant Forb
Senecio vulgaris Common groundsel Vascular plant Forb mesic
Sonchus asper Prickly sow thistle Vascular plant Forb not in flower
Stachys sp. hedge nettle Vascular plant Forb
Taraxacum
officinale		 Common dandelion Vascular plant Forb adjacent to beach
Taraxacum sp. dandelion Vascular plant Forb
Tellima grandiflora Fringe cup Vascular plant Forb permesic, base of bluffs
Trientalis borealis ssp latifolia Starflower Vascular plant Forb permesic
Trifolium repens White clover Vascular plant Forb  shady, moist site
Urtica dioica stinging nettle Vascular plant Forb
Vicia sativa Common vetch Vascular plant Forb disturbed sites
Elymus mollis Tall beachgrass Vascular plant Grass next to the beach
Poa sp. Bluegrass Vascular plant Grass scattered
Juncus effusus Common rush Vascular plant Rush on Garry Fletcher’sr’s prop.
Carex lyngbyei Lyngby’s sedge Vascular plant Sedge on Garry Fletcher’sr’s prop.
Carex obnupta Slough sedge Vascular plant Sedge on Garry Fletcher’sr’s prop.
Scirpus
americanus		 Hard-stemmed bullrush Vascular plant Sedge on Garry Fletcher’sr’s prop.
Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon berry/service berry Vascular plant Shrub
Cytisus scoparius Scotch broom Vascular plant Shrub in open areas (introduced)
Daphne laureola spurge-laurel Vascular plant Shrub scattered along bluff face
Gaultheria shallon salal Vascular plant Shrub
Hedera helix English ivy Vascular plant Shrub naturalized
Holodiscus discolor ocean spray Vascular plant Shrub
Ilex sp Holly Vascular plant Shrub naturalized
Lonicera ciliosa orange honeysuckle Vascular plant Shrub
Mahonia nervosa Oregon grape Vascular plant Shrub drier sites
Oemleria cerasiformis Indian plum Vascular plant Shrub mesic and wetter
Ribes lacustre Black gooseberry Vascular plant Shrub toe slopes
Ribes sanguineum Red flowering currant Vascular plant Shrub toe slopes
Rosa nutkana Nootka rose Vascular plant Shrub
Rubus armeniacus Himalayan blackberry Vascular plant Shrub exposed areas (introduced)
Rubus parviflorus thimble berry Vascular plant Shrub
Rubus spectabilis salmon berry Vascular plant Shrub
Rubus ursinus Trailing blackberry Vascular plant Shrub in openings
near toe slopes
Sambucus racemosa red elder Vascular plant Shrub
Symphoricarpos albus snowberry Vascular plant Shrub
Ulex europaeus Gorse Vascular plant Shrub introduced
Abies grandis grand fir Vascular plant Tree
Acer macrophyllum big leaf maple Vascular plant Tree
Alnu rubra red alder Vascular plant Tree
Arbutus menziesii arbutus Vascular plant Tree
Malus fusca Pacific crabapple Vascular plant Tree permesic site
Pinus contorta shore pine Vascular plant Tree
Prunus marginata Bitter cherry Vascular plant Tree permesic site
Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas fir Vascular plant Tree
Quercus garryana Garry Oak Vascular plant Tree
Salix scouleriana Scouler’s willow Vascular plant Tree above the beach
Salix sitchensis Sitka willow Vascular plant Tree adjacent to the beach
Salix sp. willow Vascular plant Tree
Buteo jamaicensis Red tail hawk Vertebrate Bird in the air above Taylor beach
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle Vertebrate Bird in the air east of Taylor beach
Larus glaucescens Glaucus winged gull Vertebrate Bird in the air numerous)
Sphyrapicus ruber Red-naped sapsucker Vertebrate Bird in an alder snag
Blepsias cirrhosus Silverspotted Sculpin Vertebrate Fish
Gobiesox maeandricus Northern Clingfish Vertebrate Fish
Leptocottus armatus Staghorn Sculpin Vertebrate Fish
Liparis florae TidepoolSnailfish Vertebrate Fish
Pholis sp. Gunnel Vertebrate Fish
Lontra canadensis River otter Vertebrate Mammal off Witty’s beach
Oryctolagus cuniculus European rabbit Vertebrate Mammal open grass meadow near lagoon
Phoca vitulina Harbour seal Vertebrate Mammal
Thamnophis sp Garter snake Vertebrate Reptile in the grass adjacentcent to lagoon

 

Macroalgae ( Kelp) beds around Southern Vancouver Island and their role in Carbon Sequestration .

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Sometimes viewed as a nuisance for boaters around the shores of Metchosin, kelp beds (Nereocystis luetkeana) are however a valuable species of our natural capital

Nereocystis leutkeana, Bull kelp

Nereocystis luetkeana, Bull kelp

Our kelp beds provide ecosystem services such as habitat for juvenile fish, and marine mammals. Research on macroalgae of the temperate coastal areas in the world  has also shown extremely high rates of photosynthetic capacity and therefore another ecosystem service, in these algal beds, carbon fixation,  In this post I will  annotate  some of the significant research that documents the value of this resource.

“Kelp forests occur in cold, nutrient-rich water and are among the most beautiful and biologically productive habitats in the marine environment. They are found throughout the world in shallow open coastal waters, and the larger forests are restricted to temperatures less than 20ºC, extending to both the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. A dependence upon light for photosynthesis restricts them to clear shallow water and they are rarely much deeper than 15-40m. The kelps have in common a capacity for some of the most remarkable growth rates in the plant kingdom. In southern California, the Macrocystis can grow 30 cm per day.”

Abstract: There has been a good deal of interest in the potential of marine vegetation as a sink for anthropogenic carbon emissions , (Blue Carbon). Marine primary producers contribute at least 50% of the world’s carbon fixation and may account for as much as 71 percent of all carbon storage. In this paper, we analyze the current rate of harvesting of both commercial and growing and wild growing macro algae, as well as their capacity for photosynthetically driven carbon dioxide assimilation and growth. We suggest that carbon dioxide acquisition by marine macroalgae can represent a considerable sink for anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions and the harvesting and appropriate use of macroalgal primary production could play a significant role in carbon sequestration and amelioration of greenhouse gas emissions.

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Sea Lettuce, ( Ulva lactuca)

Sea Lettuce, ( Ulva lactuca)

Off the  shores of Weir’s Beach  grows a large bed of Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) .  the following article attests to the efficiency of sea lettuce  in carbon dioxide fixation:

Carbon sequestration by a few marine algae: observation and projection

Kaladharan, P and Veena, S and Vivekanandan, E (2009) Carbon sequestration by a few marine algae: observation and projection. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 51 (1). pp. 107-110

Abstract: CO2 sequestration by the marine planktonic microalgae Nannochloropsis salina and Isochrysis galbana as well as macroforms Gracilaria corticata, Sargassum polycystum and Ulva lactuca was estimated under laboratory conditions. The green seaweed U. lactuca registered 100% utilization of CO2 towards carbon fixation from the ambient water up to 15 mg/l and beyond that it declined to 60%. The microalgae were able to utilize 27.7% of dissolved CO2 at 15 mg/l, but did not show any effect either for carbon fixation or for emission at lower and higher levels. Gross primary productivity of these algae were also not affected by increase in the CO2 levels. It is estimated that the seaweed biomass along the Indian coast is capable of utilizing 9052 tCO2/d against emission of 365 tCO2 /d indicating a net carbon credit of 8687 t/d.

Recommendation:
  • A detailed mapping of Nereocystis beds  and Ulva lactuca beds on the Coast of Metchosin  should be done to quantify the extent of these resources.

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Concerns for the Kelp Resources of Metchosin:

The potential for commercial exploitation of this species is of concern, since he value as habitat for marine animals may far outweigh commercial possibilities. This reference explains the uses of the plant and it does not even include the potential for harvest for biomass , gas extraction:
“Uses 

Both the stipe and the blades of Nereocystis luetkeana are used for fresh and dried foods, nutritional supplements, cosmetic products such as exfoliants, fertilizers, animal feed, dog snacks, and dog shampoo and moisturizer.  Producers have found that it is rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium, iodine, potassium, phosphorus, iron, bulk fiber, and vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E, and K, protein and free amino acids.  It is used as an herbal remedy, with claims that it detoxifies body tissues of heavy metal and radioactive agents, treats thyroid disorders, arthritis and digestive problems; purifies blood, aids in weight loss, eases lymphatic swelling; treats herpes infections, eases inflammation and neuritis, soothes mucuous membranes, and reduces side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.  Other benefits mentioned for Nereocystis luetkeana in the spa include that it is stimulating, firming, revitalizing, tonic and slimming.  Over 25 products have been identified from over 10 different sellers in Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands.

Harvesting 

Commercial harvesting is known to occur in British Columbia and California

Harvesting Techniques 

As Nereocystis luetkeana grows in the subtidal and shallow intertidal zones, it is typically harvested from a skiff or small boat with a knife, although in some areas it may be harvested on foot at low tide.

Ecosystem 

Nereocystis tends to grow in large kelp forests, and the blades create lush surface canopies. Kelp forests provide important sheltering habitat for many marine fishes and invertebrates, including urchins, sea stars, snails and crabs, and are an important food source for sea urchins.  These forests also provide habitat for sea otters since sea otters eat the invertebrates that live on the kelp forest floor and the kelp itself provides a canopy which the otter can anchor to while resting to keep from drifting away.  The anchoring holdfast can reach a diameter of more that a foot, and can harbor its own collection of organisms by offering them protection among the haptera.  Nereocystis luetkeana is the only kelp which will drop spore patches, so that the right concentration of spores lands near the parent’s holdfast.  They grow out continuously from a meristem located at their base and slough off at their older outer tips.  The detritus formed by the sloughing tips has been shown to be an important source of carbon for inshore intertidal communities.  This detritus feeds species such as Blue rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) and many of the filter feeders, such as Pacific Blue Mussels (Mytilus trossulus) in the intertidal zone.  Urchins feed on Nereocystis luetkeana, and conversely this kelp can opportunistically and rapidly colonize areas that have been cleared by urchins.”

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Research into the role of marine algae and its importance in contributing to energy flow when they end up on a beach is reported in the following research out of the Bamfield Marine Station:

by Malte Mews, Martin Zimmer, Dennis E. Jelinsk
ABSTRACT: The fate of subtidally drifting macrophytal detritus after its deposition ashore was studied based on short-term mass loss effects and species composition of beach-cast detritus. Different species of macroalgae and seagrass varied in both physical and microbial decay, as well as faunal decomposition rates. Their preferred status as food for detritivorous amphipods also varied. Thus, beach-cast detritus changed in species composition during detritus aging. Estimated turnover rates, based on daily input rates and mass loss rates, ranged from <1 d for Nereocystis luetkeana, Macrocystis integrifolia and Ulva spp. to roughly 30 d for Fucus spp. and Phyllospadix spp. Thus, the dynamics of nutrient fluxes within the marine–terrestrial ecotone depends not only on the spatial distribution and amount of beach-cast detritus, but also on its species composition.
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  • Recommendation: The municipality should investigate the possibility of influencing provincial legislation to place a moratorium on the harvest of any natural kelp resources on our shoreline.

 

 

Index: BC Coastal Ecological Sustainability

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Contents /Index[
1.0 Introduction:
2.0 Environmental Sustainability in our Marine Environment

3.0 The Biodiversity and the Need to Conserve

4.0 Physical Story

5.0 Humans as part of Ocean Systems

6.0 A Choice of FUTURES

7.0 Environmental Sustainability in Education 

8.0 Types of Curriculum Activities which could Complement the Sustainability theme.

9.0 Take-Aways for the student from a Sustainability Approach

 

 

Slide Show of the Metchosin Coastline

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The images for this slideshow from Beecher Bay to Albert Head were provided by GeoBC. Enlargements of each picture and captions may be seen in the Gallery

Marine Algae of the Metchosin Coastline.

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Marine Algae along the Coast of Metchosin contributes to  Biodiversity and to the habitat of the shoreline. The productivity of some of the macroalgae beds is very high, contributing to carbon fixation and a food source for marine ecosystems. Some algae are grazed directly by fish and invertebrates, but many contribute their energy to the ecosystems when they break down in the water column or on the shoreline. The kelp beds of the coastal areas are valuable habitat for larval, and juvenile fish. Thus marine algae contribute to the Natural Capital of our marine systems in a very significant way.

Resources:

algaeredfenestrThe Algae of Taylor Beach

 

 

 

image005The Race Rocks Digital Herbarium

 

 

 

halosacc

Marine Plants at Race Rocks

 

 

 

saltwaterArchived Videos of Marine Plants at Race Rocks

 

The Green and Blue Spaces Strategy, December, 2007

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The PDF of this report from  2007 may be viewed in it’s entirety here:
Blue-green-spaces-Document

Note in particular: page 4 : TYPES OF GREEN and BLUE SPACES

part 5. Marine Areas.

a. Nearshore marine areas: These areas  occur along the coastlines of Metchosin. They are productive nursery areas and habitat for marine life, and include eelgrass beds, kelp beds, and subtitle rocky areas.

b. Marine shorelines: these are areas of natural shoreline on land. They are an important part of the scenic character of the community, contain recreational trails or beach access points, and provide a buffer between buildings and natural dynamic processes such as shoreline erosion. Examples include rocky marine shorelines and beaches [especially between Helberg had and church island], tidal lagoons, estuaries and offshore islands.

Under recommendations  —Municipal governments:

  •   while Metchosin has no formal management responsibility for nearshore marine areas, we should continue to acquire and maintain inventories of these areas, and have municipal input into provincial and federal government decisions regarding their management.
  • Recognize the importance of and encourage the protection and restoration of Metchosin’s natural shoreline.

Link: The CRD Blue-Green report

 

 

 

Sector 1 Race Rocks

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SECTOR 1 RACE ROCKS

Great Race Rock, the central island. All but the tower envelope is included now in the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve.. The other islands of the ecological reserve are represented below: The link to the racerocks.ca website is used for the ecological information on this part of Metchosin’s coastline.

 

Link to the Ecology of Race Rocks through the racerocks.ca website

 

Race Rocks Ecological reserve from Mount Blinkhorn

 

 

 

 

Race Rocks from Mount Macdonald

 

 

 

Race Rocks from the mouth of Pedder Bay

 

 

 

Race Rocks from Sea Bluff Trail

 

 

The MetchosinCoastal web site has been created to represent the contiguous ecosystems of the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve/Marine Protected Area and for the use of the Green Blue Spaces sub committee of the Metchosin Environmental Advisory Select Committee ( MEASC).
Copyright: G.Fletcher 2013 (garryf(use at) gmail.com)

 

Sector 2: Bentinck Island

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SECTOR  2:  Bentinck Island  


Aerial Maps Courtesy of the CRD Natural Areas Atlas

Link to History of Names and Early Use of the Island as a Leper colony on Bentinck Island


1. South Entrance
to Eemdyk Pass

 

 

 

​​2.South Bentinck Island

 

 

 

 

​. 3. Central
Bays and east lobe of Bentinck 

 

 

 

​ 4.Central
Island in Eemdyk Passage

 

 

 

5. North Bentinck Island

 

 

 

 

 

6.Rocky
Point Shoreline
between Cape Calver and Edye Point.

 

 

 

Map of the Complete Rocky Point Area

 

 

 

Link to Anthropogenic Impacts on Habitat of the Rocky Point Area

 

 

 

 

The MetchosinMarine website has been created to represent the contiguous ecosystems of the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve/Marine Protected Area and for the use of the Green Blue Spaces sub committee of the Metchosin Environmental Advisory Select Committee (MEASC). Copyright: G.Fletcher 2013 ( garryf (use at) gmail.com)

 

6.2 Global Change means Ocean Change

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References:

1. Impacts of Climate Change Coming Faster and Sooner: New Science Report Underlines Urgency for Governments to Seal the Deal in Copenhagen…Washington/Nairobi, 24 September 2009

“Recent estimates of the combined impact of melting land-ice and thermal expansion of the oceans suggest a plausible average sea level rise of between 0.8 and 2.0 metres above the 1990 level by 2100. This compares with a projected rise of between 18 and 59 centimetres in the last IPCC report, which did not include an estimate of large-scale changes in ice-melt rates, due to lack of consensus” http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=596&ArticleID=6326&l=en

2. Widespread Arctic Warming Crosses Critical Ecological Thresholds,Scientists warn.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/03/050308100441.htm

3. Climate ‘altering UK marine life’

The UK’s coasts are becoming stormier places, the report says
The biodiversity and productivity of seas around the UK could already be suffering the consequences of climate change, a report has concluded.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6191828.stm

4. Scientists Warn Of Climate Change Risk To Marine Turtles

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070220003809.htm


ScienceDaily (Feb. 22, 2007) — North American marine turtles are at risk if global warming occurs at predicted levels, according to scientists from the University of Exeter. An increase in temperatures of just one degree Celsius could completely eliminate the birth of male turtles from some beaches. A rise of three degrees Celsius would lead to extreme levels of infant mortality and declines in nesting beaches across the USA.

5. IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AUSTRALIAN MARINE LIFE

http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/impacts/publications/marinelife.html

Climate change impacts on marine life and marine ecosystems are likely to dramatically affect human societies and economies. Notable impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity have been observed throughout the world – principally due to the existence of long-term data series. Evidence from Australian waters is sparse, mainly due to a lack of historical long-term data collection. Importantly, little modelling has been conducted to predict future changes in Australian marine ecosystems and this remains a critical gap. This report identified six key questions that need to be addressed by future modelling and monitoring programmes:

6. Ocean climate change and its effects on marine life at all depths

http://www.neptunecanada.ca/science/ocean-climate.html

7. http://www.ec.gc.ca/climate/overview_canada-e.html

“British Columbia/Yukon
Climate change will have significant impacts on British Columbia and Yukon, including increased flood dangers in some areas, drought in others, and widespread disruption to forests, fisheries, and wildlife.
Sea levels are expected to rise up to 30 cm on the north coast of British Columbia and up to 50 cm on the north Yukon coast by 2050, mainly due to warmer ocean temperatures. This could cause increased sedimentation, coastal flooding, and permanent inundation of some natural ecosystems, and place low-lying homes, docks, and port facilities at risk.
Other changes that may result from climate change include:

In winter, increased winter precipitation, permafrost degradation, and glacier retreat due to warmer temperatures may lead to landslides in unstable mountainous regions, and put fish and wildlife habitat, roads, and other man-made structures at risk. Increased precipitation will put greater stress on water and sewage systems, while glacier reduction could affect the flow of rivers and streams that depend on glacier water, with potential negative impacts on tourism, hydroelectric generation, fish habitat, and lifestyles.
Spring flood damage could be more severe both on the coast and throughout the interior of British Columbia and Yukon, and existing flood protection works may no longer be adequate.
Summer droughts along the south coast and southern interior will mean decreased stream flow in those areas, putting fish survival at risk, and reducing water supplies in the dry summer season when irrigation and domestic water use is greatest.

Atlantic
Climate change in the Atlantic region has not followed the national warming trend of the past century, and, in fact, a slight cooling trend has been experienced over the past 50 years. This trend is consistent with projections by climate models.
Atlantic Canada is particularly vulnerable, however, to rising sea levels, whose impacts could include greater risk of floods; coastal erosion; coastal sedimentation; and reductions in sea and river ice.
Other potential impacts include:
• loss of fish habitat;
• changes in ice-free days, which could affect marine transportation and the offshore oil and gas industry; and
• changes in range, distribution, and breeding success rates of seabirds”

6.3 Profiles of Individuals

Return to Index

The Effect of Seawalls

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“Seawalls damage virtually every beach they are built on. If they are built on eroding beaches—-and they are rarely built anywhere else,—-they eventually destroy the beach. ”  –Cornelia Dean, (Science Editor of the New York Times) Against the Tide, The Battle of America’s Beaches 53 (1999) 

A serious problems which has developed on the coastline  of Metchosin, is the building of seawalls under the pretext of protecting private property from erosion. Owners of properties along a coast are often not aware of the mechanics of the interaction with ocean energy of the shoreline. After an intense storm, evidence of erosion along a shore-front often leads land owners, desperate to save their property to go to often very expensive extremes in order to try to protect their property.

A survey of literature from various parts of the world indicates this is not only a local problem, but is indeed very wide spread. The series of photographs documented on this website from Puget Souperkinslane_pugetsoundnd, show the problem not far from our shores. We should consider ourselves lucky so far in Metchosin as we have yet to experience the disasters that have happened in Puget Sound.  This link to an Image Gallery shows how bad it could get:

 

Impact of Coastal Erosion in Australia 7 Mar, 2013
Senior Coastal Scientist at Coastalwatch Professor Andrew Short has compiled a comprehensive piece focusing on coastal erosion in Australia.

For the 50% of the Australian coast that is composed of sand and in some places mud, the shoreline is prone to change, building seaward and in some places eroding landward. In most locations this is a natural process with usually no impact on human settlement. Coastal protection of the shoreline is rarely required in Australia, however in a few locations the dynamic shoreline has become a problem, in some cases a major and expensive problem, and in almost all of these cases the problem is related to human interference or encroachment on the shoreline. Coastal protection works, such as breakwaters, groynes, or seawalls, are usually built to guard against erosion. In doing so they harden the coast and reduce its ability to adjust naturally. As a consequence, these defences can exacerbate further erosional problems, with seawalls reflecting and concentrating wave energy and erosion, and groynes starving downdrift the coast of sediment thereby leading to further erosion. There are areas where human have encroached into the dynamic beach environment only to suffer the consequences, and others where they have interfered with coastal processes leading to accelerated coastal erosion.

The Utilization of Seawalls in Response to Shoreline Erosion Consequences, Socio-Economic, Political and Legal Forces, and Alternatives Shawn W. Kelly , Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management University of California, Santa Barbara November 30, 2000

Executive Summary
See the full PDF version: Seawall

seawallWhen coastal buildings or roads are threatened, the typical response is to harden the coast with a seawall. Seawalls run parallel to the beach and can be built of concrete, wood, steel, or boulders. Seawalls are also called bulkheads or revetments; the distinction is mainly a matter of purpose. They are designed to halt shoreline erosion caused primarily by wave action. If seawalls are maintained, they may temporarily hold back the ocean from encroaching on shoreline development. In spite of their ability to hold back the ocean, when waves hit a seawall, the waves are reflected back out to sea, taking beach sand with them and eventually causing the beach to disappear. Moreover, seawalls can cause increased erosion at the ends of the seawall on an adjacent beach that is not walled. Alternatives to seawalls exist, such as beach nourishment and managed retreat. Making coastal land use decisions that ensure a seawall will not be needed in the
future to protect structures, however, is the most prudent coastal management solution. This can be accomplished by establishing setback lines and conducting managed retreat of structures that are threatened by shoreline erosion before the situation worsens, or structures that have the potential for being threatened in the future. Regional case studies are presented to illustrate.
And finally an amusing story about coastal erosion and the origin of the term

“The Streisand effect”

The following excerpt from George Monbiot ( on SLAPP suits) mentions a very interesting case :

In Canto 21 of the Inferno, Dante watches lawyers who made a habit of bringing frivolous or oppressive suits being perpetually submerged in a lake of boiling tar by demons with boathooks. They get off quite lightly, in other words. But perhaps hell of a different kind awaits on earth. It’s called the Streisand Effect. In 2003 Barbra Streisand’s lawyers launched an action to have an aerial photograph of her home in Malibu removed from a collection of 12,000 such shots, whose purpose was to document coastal erosion(11). They demanded $50m in damages. Before they became involved, the photo was downloaded four times. In the month after they launched their stupid suit, it was downloaded 420,000 times(12). “The Streisand Effect,” in other words, is blowback: disastrous unintended consequences of an attempt at censorship.”