Graduation date: 1983

Gathering taxonomic data is fundamental to any biological or ecological research. It was the intent of this paper to increase the storehouse of taxonomic information by studying the marine algae of one section of the Oregon coastline. Netarts Bay was chosen because of its accessibility and generally primitive nature. It is in an area of Oregon largely untouched by phycologists and so offered an opportunity for original research. Techniques of collecting and preserving specimens were kept as simple as possible, thus allowing a proportionately greater amount of the available time to be spent in the classification of the organisms. The body of this paper is, therefore, an annotated list of the algae collected and identified. A total of 78 species were identified, the majority belonging to the division Rhodophta (45 of the 78). An effort was made in collecting to be as thorough as possible. Algae ranging in habitat all the way from the spray zone to the depths of Netarts Bay were included. However, while the collection is comprehensive, because of the great size of the Bay it is undoubtedly incomplete. Only further research can identify which algae have been overlooked or omitted. Photographs are in evidence throughout much of the text. It is hoped that they will illustrate some of the forms which might be found only in this region and also, as accurately as possible, to aid in the identification of species elsewhere.

Problems associated with planning the future use of estuarine areas stem from: A lack of knowledge on the critical aspects of the system. Inability to predict the future changes which will occur within the system in order to effectively manage the resource base. These difficulties lie in the fact that changes within the system occur because of both "natural" and "cultural" conditions. The thesis hypothesis and subsequent research is to describe the physical changes that have occurred within the Netarts system, primarily due to man's impact. Types of data gathered for the analysis includes that on historical and current land use activities, current research findings on system characteristics, and independent research on shoreline changes and vegetation composition. Much of the historical data were taken from early manuscripts and publications. Current research data were obtained from several engineering studies of the bay, as well as a baseline study of Netarts funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation and Oregon State University. This study included an inventory of man's utilization of the resource base. Methods utilized in data analysis included aerial photo-interpretation, planimetric measurement of shoreline and vegetative alterations, and on-site inventory of current shoreline and vegetation changes. Results of the research have shown that it is possible to measure and describe changes within the Netarts Bay system. Specific findings include: A decrease in sandspit volume of nine percent between 1942 and 1974 due to construction of a boat basin and fill. Occurrence of marsh progradation in all marsh areas with sedge and low sand type showing the greatest increases between 1939-1962. A decrease in rate of marsh progradation from 1962-1974. A total decrease in tidal prism of the bay between 1957-1969 as measured by cross sectional areas. The rate of decrease is occurring at a faster rate south of the mouth of Whiskey Creek. Destruction of Chum salmon fisheries and native oyster populations due to over-harvesting and siltation. Destruction of Gaper clam beds along the eastern shore of the bay and increased erosion of the shore, due to road fill and road construction. The results of the research and subsequent findings show that it is possible to describe an estuary as a "system" that has applicability for future development of a land and water use model for an estuary.

Estuarine residence and growth of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) from Netarts Bay, Oregon were estimated from daily-formed growth increments of sagittal otoliths which are distinguishable from accretion patterns formed during freshwater residence. Estuarine residence time was inversely related to the average size at which juvenile chum salmon entered Netarts Bay. Among fin-clipped, hatchery fish, large individuals disappeared from Netarts Bay more rapidly than smaller members of the same release group during the first 9 days of estuarine residence. This selective removal was not evident among creek-reared chum which were smaller than the fin-clipped fish. Size-related emigration explains this variation in residence time. Growth rates were estimated from back-calculations of fork length from otoliths. The growth rates of juvenile chum salmon in Netarts Bay (0.6 mm FL/d; 3.5% bw/d) were lower than growth rates in other estuaries where harpacticoid copepods were a major prey item. Juvenile chum salmon that entered the estuary early in the spring grew faster than those which entered later in the year, possibly because of lower water temperature and lower density of small (50 mm FL) chum during the early period. High water temperature reduced apparent growth rates by slowing growth and causing emigration of larger, faster-growing individuals. / Graduation date: 1990