Research Index
Consortium for Estuarine Ecoindicator Research for the Gulf of Mexico
|
Macrobenthic Ecoindicators
Dr. Chet Rakocinski chet.rakocinski@usm.edu
The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS
Keywords: macrobenthic indicators; body-size spectra; secondary production; trophic dynamics; estuarine ecosystem integrity
The overall objective of this project is to develop, validate and apply macrobenthic ecoindicators of estuarine ecosystem integrity, function, and resilience for use by regional monitoring programs across the northern Gulf of Mexico. The general hypothesis is that nutrient loading and attendant ecological stresses will lead to shifts in estuarine processes that can be detected and measured at multiple levels of organization. This project will develop a suite of macrobenthic process ecoindicators that will serve as integrated elements within the larger context afforded by synthesis with ecoindicators from other CEER-GOM components. The macrobenthic component of the CEER-GOM program has seven specific objectives: (1) to use the EMAP-E Benthic Index as a baseline for comparison with novel ecoindicators from other CEER-GOM components, and in order to establish historical continuity within the EMAP-E program; (2) to examine whether body-size spectra can serve as a reliable macrobenthic process ecoindicator of ecological stress; (3) to examine whether macrobenthic secondary production as derived from body-size spectra can serve as a reliable process ecoindicator of ecological stress; (4) to examine whether trophic structure in terms of secondary production can serve as an effective functional ecoindicator; (5) to consider some potential biochemical indicators of trophic condition for selected target species; (6) to characterize various sediment properties, including pore water nutrients, sediment composition, TOC, grain size distributions, and RPD position; (7) to facilitate integration of macrobenthic ecoindicators with novel ecoindicators from other CEER-GOM components. Ultimately, an integrated suite of sensitive and reliable ecoindicators will be provided to state estuarine monitoring programs across the northern GOM, to use for assessments of estuarine ecosystem integrity.
Dr. Rakocinski will serve as Project Manager and Point of Contact (POC) with the EPA Contracting Officer. He will assist in protocol development, oversee the organization, development, and implementation of final collection, processing, and distribution schedules, and communicate regularly with the EPA Contracting Officer relative to report preparation and effectiveness evaluations. He will also communicate regularly with the EPA Contract Officer to assure that benthic evaluations are proceeding according to schedule, and to convey any problems encountered as they occur.
Dr. Rakocinski will oversee sample handling, be responsible for organization of the project, and supervise sample processing and implementation of the work plan for the project. Benthic organisms will be sorted, identified, and enumerated under the joint supervision of Drs. Rakocinski and Heard. They also will coordinate taxonomic standardization within the project. Dr. Rakocinski will oversee data management, analysis, interpretation, and reporting activities.
![[Dr. Richard Heard]](../images/heardr.jpg)
Dr. Richard Heard richard.heard@usm.edu
The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS
Dr. Heard and his staff will provide experience in identification of benthic taxa, and will coordinate and oversee the benthic taxonomy portion of the project, including quality assurance and verification of taxonomy. He will also oversee sample handling, be responsible for organization of the project, and supervise sample processing and implementation of the work plan for the project. Benthic organisms will be sorted, identified, and enumerated under the joint supervision of Drs. Rakocinski and Heard. They also will coordinate taxonomic standardization within the project.
