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Benthic Community Dynamics in Coyote Creek and Artesian Slough, Southern San Francisco Bay, California, May 2016 to March 2018

Open-File Report 2019-1057
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191057

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Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to quantify current (2016–18) benthic-community structure and function in the southern San Francisco Bay, and to compare those communities to the communities in the neighboring sloughs. The study area is inclusive of the area south of the Dumbarton Bridge including Coyote Creek and Artesian Slough.
   
The southern San Francisco Bay is a system dependent on phytoplankton as the base to the food web. Despite abundant nutrients, southern San Francisco Bay has had limited phytoplankton production in the last several decades owing to poor light conditions caused by high turbidities, and high grazing losses from the water column by benthic invertebrates and zooplankton. However, the balance of biogeochemical conditions during spring of most years accommodates a short phytoplankton bloom in the southern San Francisco Bay. This balance between available light, nutrients, and grazing has maintained the phytoplankton biomass in the southern San Francisco Bay at low levels relative to other high-nutrient urban estuaries. The role of benthic invertebrates during episodic spring events, as well as in other seasons, remains of great interest to water-quality and biological resource managers.

Suggested Citation

Shrader, K.H., Pearson, S.A., Parchaso, F., and Thompson, J.K., 2019, Benthic community dynamics in Coyote Creek and Artesian Slough, southern San Francisco Bay, California, May 2016 to March 2018: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2019–1057, 93 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191057.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Executive Summary
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Conclusions
  • References Cited
  • Figures
  • Tables
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Benthic community dynamics in Coyote Creek and Artesian Slough, southern San Francisco Bay, California, May 2016 to March 2018
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2019-1057
DOI 10.3133/ofr20191057
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) WMA - Laboratory & Analytical Services Division
Description v, 96 p.
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial San Francisco Bay
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details