A Survey of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation of Currituck Sound and Western Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System
This report addresses the temporal and areal distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Lower Back Bay, Currituck Sound and western Albemarle and Pamlico sounds and estuaries. The extent and/or success of SAV is a function of fetch, depth, salinity regimes, sediment texture, concentration of suspended sediments, degree of epiphyte encrustation, weather, climate, nutrient availability, and the inherent adaptations of the SAV. Most of these potential "stresses" are natural, but some are exacerbated by human activities. The report discusses the Pamlico River; the Neuse River; Western Pamlico Sound; Back Bay; Currituck Sound; Kitty Hawk Bay; Perquimans, Little, Pasquotank, and North Rivers; and other tributaries, embayments, and creeks of the Pamlico Sound system. For each area, it describes the status of, any known trends in, and any known factors regarding SAV distribution. The report emphasizes the "stress factors"; most easily observed or deduced that may be responsible for the current patterns of SAV distribution turbulence, turbidity, and epiphytic growth and makes recommendations for further research and monitoring efforts. In the Pamlico River, a virtual disappearance of SAV in 1979 was due to unusual weather conditions that caused a dramatic turbidity increase. Some revegetation with wild celery occurred, but not in the areas of high stress. In the Neuse River, there are small healthy beds of wild celery. Western Pamlico Sound demonstrated a paucity of SAV when compared with the eastern portion of the sound. Back Bay was found to be turbid and essentially barren as was the Pasquotank River. Currituck Sound was also found to be somewhat turbid. The Perquimans and Little Rivers had healthy growths of SAV.

An Analysis of Fringe Wetlands in Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds

This study was conducted as a preliminary characterization of fringe wetlands. Three reaches of the Albemarle-Pamlico area's shoreline, southern Albemarle Sound, Croatan Sound, and northern Pamlico Sound were examined on National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps to determine wetland type, zonation of vegetation, and geomorphic characteristics. In freshwater areas where fringe wetlands dominate, some sites develop a gradient in species composition, vegetation, structure and hydrology that distinguishes shoreline forest stands from interior wetland sites. In brackish water areas, zonation of vegetation tends to be determined by salinity, with marsh vegetation near the edge grading into shrubs and trees further from the shore. Fringe wetlands are influenced by wind-driven water level changes. Consequently, hydro-period varies with location and climatic conditions. Common approaches for predicting the effects of rising sea level on fringe wetlands are inappropriate for these unique habitats. New methods must be developed.

An Inventory and Protection Plan for Southeast Virginia's Critical Natural Areas, Exemplary Wetlands, and Endangered Species Habitats
An intensive field inventory was conducted to document Southeast Virginia's significant natural areas, wetlands and endangered species habitats. A total of 57 ecologically significant sites were documented. The sites are prioritized according to their biological significance, described in detail and mapped. Protection and management recommendations were prepared for each site and the region as a whole.

Classification of Pamlico Sound Nursery - Recommendations for Critical Habitat Criteria
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries initiated a monitoring program for the Pamlico Sound in 1971 to explore environmental variables and the abundance and diversity of juvenile finfish and crustaceans. Classifications of areas by species and abiotic variables produced distinct station groupings. Salinity, the key abiotic factor, was the lowest in the rivers and eastern Albemarle Sound, and was the highest in Core Sound and near the inlets. Based on group classifications, recommendations were made for critical habitat criteria. It was recommended that the Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) recognize the high salinity areas in Core Sound and behind the Outer Banks as critical habitats and nursery areas. It was also recommended that the MFC expand the number of species it considers in determining nursery areas to include, for example, shrimp, finfish and pigfish.

Coastal Eutrophication and Disappearing Submerged Vegetation: Lethal Effects of Nitrate Enrichment on Eelgrass and Other Beneficial Aquatic Plants
Surprisingly low, pulsed doses of nitrate can be toxic to eelgrass. This study (1) determines the threshold of nitrate loading that promotes destruction of eelgrass, and (2) examines whether nitrate enrichment is toxic to other valuable aquatic plants. Submerged vegetation is a very important component of much of the fisheries, as is the success of replanting efforts.

Effects of Trawling on Benthic Community Structure and Fish Production: A Literature Review
This work represents the first attempt in North Carolina to evaluate the impact of trawling on benthic community structure and an early attempt to relate changes in benthic community structure to productivity of bottom feeding fishes. Results of the proposed research will make a significant contribution to the resolution of the conflict over the impact of trawling on nearshore benthic communities. The results will be critical for determining whether shrimp trawl fisheries need to be managed to minimize disturbances of benthic habitat. These results can also be used to evaluate other anthropogenic disturbances to the estuary's benthic habitat such as channel dredging and pier construction.

Evaluation of Land Use Changes Within the APES Area Utilizing GIS
By evaluating land-use data-layers and population-census data-layers currently available to APES, a better understanding will be gained of what, where, and when human impacts took place and are taking place within the APES watershed. This information will be invaluable in developing workable management strategies for both the entire APES watershed as well as specific locations within the study area.

Inventory of Natural Areas
This report is a compilation of critical natural areas under protection and unprotected, and a discussion of the rare/endangered species, wetlands, other rare areas, and geomorphology of the region. The N.C. Natural Heritage Program undertook a reconnaissance inventory to identify, describe, map, prioritize, and make protection recommendations for special natural areas, exceptional wetlands, and endangered and rare species habitats. The first phase incorporated 10 counties adjacent to Albemarle Sound. Ninety-six sites were identified as containing biological or physiographical significance at the national, state or regional level. The second phase incorporated data from seven counties adjacent to the Pamlico. The third phase incorporated information from 17 inland counties. Data from the project are recorded in the Natural Heritage Program's central inventory management system, a system used by many other agencies for resource assessment.

Mapping and GIS Implementation of Land Use and Land Cover Categories for the Albemarle- Pamlico Estuarine Area
This project resulted in (1) a current digital land use and land cover inventory based on Landsat Thematic Mapper data classified, verified, and fully registered and vertically integrated with the APES Geographic Information System (GIS) database; (2) digital files in a standard data exchange format available to investigators and resource managers involved in APES research or related activities; (3) a capability within the APES Data Management Center to maintain, analyze, and update the inventory on an as-needed basis in the future; and (4) land use/land cover classified and verified maps summarized by geopolitical boundaries available for distribution to the user community through the APES program.

Marsh Grass Protection (from Erosion) Through the Installation of Low-Cost Breakwaters
This project is intended to protect coastal marsh areas from erosion through the installation of low-cost breakwaters. Several such breakwaters were installed in an effort to determine the most efficient design and construction techniques. If the breakwaters prove to be successful, marsh grass could be planted behind them in an effort to increase primary nursery habitat.

Obstructions to Anadromous Fish Migration
Present and historical usage of rivers and streams within the Albemarle-Pamlico region by anadromous fish were determined, and physical barriers to their migrations in these tributaries were identified (and mapped). Limited data bases meant that attempts at delineations for certain species proved to be impossible. Twenty-seven obstructions were identified: 18 dams, four canal storm gates, two highway culverts, two vegetational blockages, and one canal navigation lock. An additional 30 impediments were identified in reaches where anadromous fish usage is suspected but not confirmed. Dams have affected all anadromous species, especially those in the Roanoke River Basin. Highway culverts affect mainly alewife and blueback herring. The trend towards using culverts in place of small bridges may result in significant adverse cumulative impacts unless fish passage designs are employed. Installation of fish-passage culverts on all new dams would reduce habitat loss. Restoration of spawning grounds could be affected by installing fish passageways for existing dams.

Rooted Vascular Aquatic Beds in the Albemarle-Pamlico System
This report analyzes the distribution of rooted vascular aquatic beds in the sounds and estuaries of the APES region. It has been determined that although water clarity is quite variable, the distribution of SRV is a reflection of the clearness of the water and is associated with water depth. In the Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system, however, SRV is strongly associated with salinity. SRV species that require low salinity (5 ppt) were less abundant and widespread than species that require or tolerate high salinity (5.0 ppt to 40 ppt). There are approximately 200,000 acres of SRV, about equal to the area of salt marsh in the system. The study was divided into nine subregions.

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System
The most productive submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) habitats in the southern portion of the Albemarle-Pamlico region for marine shellfish and fish are in the shallow (6 ft) saline waters on the eastern periphery of the Pamlico Sound and throughout the sounds to the south and west (Core, Back and Bogue Sounds). Eelgrass, shoalgrass, and widgeon grass dominate these environments, but such a mixture of species is unique to North Carolina. Overflights and preliminary analyses suggest an estimated area of marine submerged aquatic vegetation of approximately 200,000 acres from Bogue Island to Oregon Inlet (roughly the same area as is covered by saltmarsh). Eighty percent (80%) of the SAV is in southern and eastern Pamlico Sound. Lesser areas occur west of Bogue Inlet, in western Pamlico Sound, Croatan Sound, and Roanoke Sound, but these brackish and freshwater areas have not been photographed. A visual aerial survey (December 1987 and April 1988) was conducted, seagrass samples were collected, and ground truthing was performed. A demonstration chart was produced delineating location and abundance of SAV in southern Core Sound.