Inter-Research
Marine Ecology Progress Series

ABSTRACT: Current and wave properties were studied in the semi-protected waters of the San Juan Archipelago, Washington, at 6 shallow subtidal sites chosen to include a wide range of variability in exposure to both tidal currents and waves. Within each site, 4 to 6 plots measuring roughly 50 to 100 m² each were established on nearly horizontal rock platforms at mean depths ranging from 6.1 to 11.0 m, with most plots at mean depths of 7.0 to 9.2 m. Plots were established nominally to minimize within-site variability in hydrodynamics, and were locations of several species of kelp (reported in a companion paper). For more than a year replicate measurements of flow and pressure (mean depth and wave signals) were collected at all sites in 2 Hz bursts 25 cm above the substratum, a height relative to understory kelps, providing a unique, detailed spatial and temporal characterization of a shallow subtidal hydrodynamic regime pertinent to these plants. Despite the intended similarity of plots within sites, local-flow microhabitat remained substantial at scales relative to understory plants, and largely ameliorated differences in tidal signals among most sites. Greater than 50% of the spatial variability in maximum tidal current speed, and 31 to 44% of the variance in the duration of periods of calm flow (speeds consistently <20 cm s^-1), occurred within sites at scales of meters, and not at the larger (km) scales that separated sites. In contrast, wave effects at 7 to 11 m depth were predictable spatially. Significant wave impacts were recorded only at 2 sites characterized by a large, open fetch. Wave-dominated flows were recorded by replicate sensors multiple times within both of these sites, and the strongest instantaneous wave speeds approached 150 to 200 cm s^-1. Maximum wave-generated speeds recorded just above the substratum at these 2 sites were ~2 to 3× maximum tidal currents. These results help to explain patterns noted in concurrent studies of the population dynamics and morphology of several species of kelp.

KEY WORDS: Hydrodynamics · Kelp · Wave · Tidal current

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Published in MEPS Vol. 265 (2003) on December 31
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2003