Sitka Sound still feels the impacts of sea star wasting syndrome, a disease that was first detected in the summer 2014 and drastically reduced sunflower star populations. The cascading effect of this disease on predatory sea star populations and their associated marine communities has been well documented in other affected regions. At the time, researchers were concerned that sea star wasting syndrome in Sitka could extend to human subsistence and harvest activities including pinto abalone and herring roe-on-kelp harvest in Sitka Sound and this research project bore from those concerns.

Through a combination of quantitative assessments of the nearshore community and qualitative interviews of subsistence users SSSC researchers aimed to identify biodiversity risk and resiliency. Community surveys were conducted to document sea star die-off and recovery, as well as explore seasonal and depth-related patterns in population structure and record the density of select grazers and macroalgae. Informal interviews with local experts were used to document traditional and local ecological knowledge about historic changes and to highlight important areas of productivity and subsistence harvest.

With the help and support our education team SSSC researchers facilitated a Scientist in the Schools lesson where students engaged in hands-on research by examining the effects of temperature on the grazing rates of different invertebrates—getting real practice with scientific method!

Research Findings

This study helped to fill gaps in our understanding of subtidal community seasonal dynamics as well as provide repeatable surveys for future documentation of change. This project enabled the first series of subtidal winter surveys in Sitka Sound – a cold, but worthy effort to capture a snapshot of invertebrate communities during a season of low productivity, pH, light, and temperature. SSSC is thrilled that the results from these surveys are already being used to inform ongoing subtidal research in Sitka Sound by two PhD students at the University of California Santa Cruz.

Resource User Interviews

This project collected interviews with local experts to formally document traditional and ecological knowledge of Sitka Sound’s marine environments. These interviews highlight important areas of productivity and subsistence harvest.

Sitka Nature Show Interview

Lauren was interviewed about this project by Matt Goff for the Sitka Nature Show, aired on KCAW Raven Radio on Feb 4, 2018.

Project Contact: Ron Heintz