Environmental Effects of Dredging. Mapping Seagrasses for Dredging Operations,
Abstract
Seagrass beds represent some of the most valuable aquatic habitats within the marine ecosystem. They provide critical refuge and foraging grounds for a diversity of organisms, including crustaceans and other invertebrates, as well as fish. Many of these species are economically important. Corps of Engineers districts frequently need to assess the character, extent, condition, and potential impacts to seagrass beds within their jurisdiction, particularly in areas where dredging is proposed in the vicinity of existing seagrass beds. Traditional sea grass survey methods are expensive, labor-intensive, and subject to unknown error. The Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Early Warning System (SAVEWS), an integrated sensor/software system consisting of hydroacoustic, global positioning system, and geographic information system components, has the potential to provide rapid, low-cost, near-real time detection and mapping of marine seagrasses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA307012
Entities
People
- Bruce M. Sabol
- Debroah J. Shafer
- Eddie Melton Jr