Abstract
As offshore wind energy development experiences a rapid global expansion throughout coastal regions, with the first large-scale offshore wind farm in the United States begins pre-construction in 2022, environmental monitoring programs are necessary to anticipate and mediate any negative impacts on marine ecosystems. The School of Marine Science and Technology’s drop camera survey was used to create a baseline dataset assessment of the current macrobenthic community and substrate habitat of the Northern development area of Vineyard Wind Lease Area (Impact area) to understand the benthic macrofaunal community composition, substrate habitats, and the spatial and temporal scales of the communities. An adjacent Control area was selected based on proximity and similar habitat. Control areas along the Northeast Continental Shelf were selected based on common physical attributes (survey area, depth, sediment types). Substrates and species were statistically compared within and among each area survey to test the following null hypotheses: (1-2) the physical environment (substrate composition, depth, water temperature) and macrobenthic communities of the Impact and adjacent Control areas are similar; (3-4) the physical environment and macrobenthic communities of the Impact area and selected Broader Control Areas of the Northeast U.S. continental shelf are similar; and (5-6) the physical environment and macrobenthic communities of the Impact area is similar to that observed in 2012 and 2013. Null hypotheses 1, 2, 5, and 6 were accepted as the benthic habitat and communities of the Impact area, adjacent Control area, and WEA of 2012 and 2013were similar. Null hypotheses 3 and 4 were rejected as the broader control areas were statistically different from the Impact area. However, variability of these additional control sites offer insight into the natural variability of the continental shelf. The techniques used in this thesis have been designed with the intention of conducting a Before-After Control-Impact, Beyond BACI, and Before-After-Gradient style study in future windfarm assessments. The pre-construction data analyzed can be used as a comparison of data from the Vineyard Wind Project gathered post-construction and provide a framework for future environmental assessments as development continues along the United States coastline. Understanding the community structures of and variability within the Impact and control areas will better inform and prepare offshore windfarm developers and researchers alike.