Document: REU-3-74-20

Nearshore ecological properties associated with shoreline erosion processes in selected Great Lakes ecosystems.

GOFORTH, R.R.* ¹, G.A.MEADOWS ², D.M.MICKELSON ³, T.B.EDIL ³, S.D.MACKEY ⁴ and D.E.GUY, JR. ⁴

Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI 48909 USA ¹
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA ²
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA ³
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Sandusky, OH 44870 USA ⁴

Abstract:
Unprecedented development of Great Lakes shorelines has altered the physical properties that drive coastal recession and erosion along many shoreline reaches. Changes in sediment supply and erosion rates along shorelines influence the aquatic-terrestrial interface that mediates resource availability in nearshore areas. Altered physical processes modify habitat and nutrient availability, influencing local aquatic community structure. Understanding the responses of shoreline and nearshore ecosystems to development pressure and altered physical processes can contribute greatly to restoration efforts and improve resource planning strategies. Our multidisciplinary, multi-institutional team has combined efforts to model erosion processes, habitat availability and aquatic community structure based on surveys of shorelines and nearshore areas along the eastern and western shores of Lake Michigan and the southern shore of Lake Erie. Preliminary data analyses suggest that nearshore habitat and aquatic community patterns are associated with shoreline erosion processes. Nearshore areas characterized by sandy, organic rich sands and sediments support abundant benthos and are heavily utilized by juvenile fish. In contrast, nearshore areas where downcutting associated with altered shoreline physical processes has removed much of the organic rich sand substrates are characterized by altered, simplified community structures. Additionally, exposure of cobble substrates and hard-packed clays have provided ideal habitat for invasive species such as zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, and round gobies, Neogobius melanostomus, thus enhancing changes in nearshore aquatic communities along altered shorelines.

Keywords: Great Lakes ecosystems, lake communities, nearshore ecology

This abstract is being presented at: 8:00 AM in session:
Oral Session #54: Lake Ecology.