Positive Relationship between Freshwater Inflow and Oyster Abundance in Galveston Bay, Texas

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dc.acquisition-srcen_US
dc.call-noen_US
dc.contract-noen_US
dc.contributor.authorBuzan, Den_US
dc.contributor.authorLee, Wen_US
dc.contributor.authorCulbertson, Jen_US
dc.contributor.authorKuhn, Nen_US
dc.contributor.authorRobinson, Len_US
dc.contributor.otherEstuaries and Coastsen_US
dc.date.accessioned2010-02-15T16:46:20Z
dc.date.available2010-02-15T16:46:20Z
dc.date.issued2008en_US
dc.degreeen_US
dc.descriptionpgs. 1-7en_US
dc.description-otheren_US
dc.description.abstractAnalysis of fisheries-independent data for Galveston Bay, Texas, USA, since 1985 shows eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) frequently demonstrate increased abundance of market-sized oysters 1 to 2 years after years with increased freshwater inflow and decreased salinity. These analyses are compared to Turner's (Estuaries and Coasts 29:345-352, 2006) study using 3-year running averages of oyster commercial harvest since 1950 in Galveston Bay. Turner's results indicated an inverse relationship between freshwater inflow and commercial harvest with low harvest during years of high inflow and increased harvest during low flow years. Oyster populations may experience mass mortalities during extended periods of high inflow when low salinities are sustained. Conversely, oyster populations may be decimated during prolonged episodes of low flow when conditions favor oyster predators, parasites, and diseases with higher salinity optima. Turner's (Estuaries and Coasts 29:345-352, 2006) analysis was motivated by a proposed project in a basin with abundant freshwater where the goal of the project was to substantially increase freshwater flow to the estuary in order to increase oyster harvest. We have the opposite concern that oysters will be harmed by projects that reduce flow, increase salinity, and increase the duration of higher salinity periods in a basin with increasing demand for limited freshwater. Turner's study and our analysis reflect different aspects of the complex, important relationships between freshwater inflow, salinity, and oysters.en_US
dc.description.urihttp://gbic.tamug.edu/request.htmen_US
dc.geo-codeGalveston Bayen_US
dc.history1-16-09 kswen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1969.3/18555
dc.latitudeen_US
dc.locationNot available in house - Please contact GBIC for assistanceen_US
dc.longitudeen_US
dc.notesen_US
dc.placeen_US
dc.publisheren_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries10076.00en_US
dc.relation.urien_US
dc.scaleen_US
dc.seriesen_US
dc.subjectCrassostrea virginicaen_US
dc.subjectfreshwater inflowen_US
dc.subjectoystersen_US
dc.titlePositive Relationship between Freshwater Inflow and Oyster Abundance in Galveston Bay, Texasen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
dc.universityen_US
dc.vol-issue32(1)en_US

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