Species Profiles. Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Pacific Southwest). Dungeness Crab
Abstract
This species profile is one of a series on coastal aquatic organisms. The profiles are designed to provide coastal managers, engineers, and biologists with a brief comprehensive sketch of the biological characteristics and environmental requirements of the species and to describe how populations of the species may be expected to react to environmental changes caused by coastal development. Each profile has sections on taxonomy, life history, ecological role, environmental requirements, and economic importance, if applicable. The Dungeness crab supports a valuable commercial and sport fishery along the west coast of the U.S. It occupies ecological niches in both marine and estuarine waters and is ecologically important as both predator and prey at all life stages. Recent studies on the environmental consequences of dredging in estuaries have established a strong probability that the Dungeness crab population will be seriously reduced by habitat alteration from dredging unless proper precautions are taken to reduce losses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA224837
Entities
People
- David A. Armstrong
- G. L. Thomas
- Gilbert B. Pauley
- Robert Van Citter