Marine macrophyte wrack (macroalgae and seagrasses) frequently washes onto beaches but little is known about the factors controlling its biogeographic variability. This research reports on a large-scale study of macrophyte wrack deposition patterns on the U.S. Pacific Northwest coast. Researchers measured macrophyte wrack on 12 sandy beach sites from southern Washington to northern California. The highest wrack biomass (g m-2) occurred on southern beaches but the greatest wrack patch density (number m-2) occurred on northern beaches, resulting in some northern sites having orders of magnitude more wrack than other sites. Eelgrass (Zostera marina and Z. japonica) was present in wrack in the greatest proportions at northern sites, and kelp (e.g. Nereocystis luetkeana and Macrocystis integrifolia) was present in the greatest proportions at central and southern sites. Further analyses showed that the proximity of estuary and rocky reef habitats, ocean upwelling, and beach geomorphology and wave climate all contributed to the biogeographic patterns of beach wrack. New evidence indicated that estuarine out welling combined with ocean upwelling can significantly contribute to these patterns.

Authors: Reimer, Jessica N.; Hacker, Sally D.; Menge, Bruce A.; Ruggiero, Peter

Product Number: 
ORESU-R-18-011
Source (Journal Article): 
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 594:263-269, April 26, 2018
DOI Number (Journal Article): 
10.3354/meps125​65
Year of Publication: 
2018
Length: 
7 pages