CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Germain, D.; Hétu, B.; and Filion L.
Date : 2008.
Title : La climatologie des avalanches de neige dans les Chic-Chocs, Gaspésie, Québec.
Publication : 400 Years of Discovery. 2008 Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Geographers. May 20-24, 2008. Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec.
Issue : Abstract Volume.
Page(s) : 54.
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems are potentially impacted by the presence of mussel (Mytilus edulis) aquaculture. The benthic environment can become suboxic (oxygen depleted) as feces are deposited, resulting in reduced biodiversity. Sediment property measures of this impact include sulphide concentration, redox potential, percent water, and total organic content. The sediment properties for three different bays on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia (Country Harbour, Marie Joseph Harbour, and Tor Bay) where mussel aquaculture is present and/or planned were sampled in July and August 2005 with sediment grabs. Bottom composition surveys were also completed using underwater videography and echosounding. Initial results indicate that these coastal systems are not impacted by the presence of aquaculture. The interpretation and mapping of point-based sediment measurements without the application of interpolation methods does not allow for spatial trends to be fully analysed. Tools available within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enable the generation of interpolated surfaces that are much more interpretable than basic point maps. Models specific to each bay were generated using the ordinary kriging geospatial analysis technique in ArcGIS and applied to produce trend estimates. The estimation surfaces provide valuable information that can be used to analyse the spatial distribution of sediment property trends. The sulphide concentration and redox potential samples for each bay required log transformation in order to provide statistically valid results. Geostatistical modelling has been surprisingly scarce in aquaculture planning despite its ability to define boundaries, habitats, and undertake constraint mapping to exclude unsuitable areas. Kriging analysis provides an additional communication tool and means of influencing management options and decisions, and in this case offers baseline sediment property trends for this region. The interface between GIS analysis, policy and practice is a function of the usability of the GIS, as well as its predictive capability and input to the decision process.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology