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Title: A biological mechanism for enhanced wading bird foraging patches in seasonally-pulsed wetlands.
Creator: Faughnan, Thomas J., Gawlik, Dale E., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: In tropical wetlands, breeding wading birds rely on concentrations of aquatic fauna during the dry season to meet increased energetic demands. Wetland microtopography increases aquatic fauna concentration levels. Crocodilians modify the landscape creating deep-water refugia but their role as a mechanism for aquatic fauna concentration is unknown. I sampled alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) abundance and slough microtopography to examine correlation between the two measures. Despite...
Show moreIn tropical wetlands, breeding wading birds rely on concentrations of aquatic fauna during the dry season to meet increased energetic demands. Wetland microtopography increases aquatic fauna concentration levels. Crocodilians modify the landscape creating deep-water refugia but their role as a mechanism for aquatic fauna concentration is unknown. I sampled alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) abundance and slough microtopography to examine correlation between the two measures. Despite increased microtopography in high alligator use sloughs, the differences were not significant. Using an in situ experimental approach, I quantified the magnitude, timing, and spatial extent of aquatic fauna concentrations within simulated alligator depressions and the surrounding marsh. Aquatic fauna density and biomass were greater within simulated depressions, thus enhancing wading bird foraging habitat. Further understanding the mechanisms creating microtopography, thus enhancing wading bird habitat, is critical to facilitate restoration and prevent declines of wading bird populations in seasonally pulsed wetlands worldwide.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013060
Subject Headings: Wading birds., Wetland ecology., American alligator.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Analysis of Kissimmee River floodplain seed dispersal for vegetation community restoration.
Creator: Mezza, Garren., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: This research examined the influence of hydrochory (seed dispersal via water), anemochory (seed dispersal via wind), and zoochory (seed dispersal by animals) on the re-establishment of the important floodplain vegetation communities of the Kissimmee River floodplain. Fifty-eight seed species were identified from 19,849 and 43, 894 seeds trapped in hydrochory traps in sites north and south of Oak Creek, respectively. Seeds trapped by anemochory were measurable but were found to be far less...
Show moreThis research examined the influence of hydrochory (seed dispersal via water), anemochory (seed dispersal via wind), and zoochory (seed dispersal by animals) on the re-establishment of the important floodplain vegetation communities of the Kissimmee River floodplain. Fifty-eight seed species were identified from 19,849 and 43, 894 seeds trapped in hydrochory traps in sites north and south of Oak Creek, respectively. Seeds trapped by anemochory were measurable but were found to be far less important than hydrochory, while results showed no evidence of zoochory .... A number of interafting factors, e.g. hydrology, lack of remnants, seed phenology, etc. are limiting the dispersal of broadleaf marsh species north of Oak Creek, delaying range, expansion, and further community restoration.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3358754
Subject Headings: Seeds, Dispersal, Floodplain ecology, Wetland restoration
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Developing Spawning Protocols and Embryological Benchmarks for a Tropical Marine Fish (Albula spp.) in Captivity.
Creator: Halstead, William Robert III, Wills, Paul, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Relying on field research to complete the life history for certain fish species can be inadequate, but laboratory research can be used to fill these gaps. These gaps exist for Bonefish (Albula spp.), a tropical marine fish and popular sportfish. In this study, aquaculture techniques were applied to Bonefish in a captive setting at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) and Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) to induce spawning and describe early ontogeny. Photothermal manipulations and...
Show moreRelying on field research to complete the life history for certain fish species can be inadequate, but laboratory research can be used to fill these gaps. These gaps exist for Bonefish (Albula spp.), a tropical marine fish and popular sportfish. In this study, aquaculture techniques were applied to Bonefish in a captive setting at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) and Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) to induce spawning and describe early ontogeny. Photothermal manipulations and hormone injections were used to induce gonad maturation and spawning, which was achieved once at CEI and is the first record of hormone-induced spawning for Bonefish. From that spawn, egg and larval development were recorded and described through 26 hours and 56 hours respectively, representing the first record of these early life stages for Bonefish. This work expands upon what is known about Bonefish reproductive biology and will be useful for management and future captive research.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013135
Subject Headings: Albula, Bonefish, Fishes--Induced spawning, Ontogeny, Reproductive biology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Development of a Methodology for the Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Florida’s Transportation Modes and Infrastructure.
Creator: Berry, Leonard, Center for Environmental Studies, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00003460
Format: Citation

Title: Development of a Methodology for the Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Florida’s Transportation Modes and Infrastructure.
Creator: Cahill, Maria, Berry, Leonard, Florida Department of Transportation, Center for Environmental Studies, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Date Issued: 2010 - 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00003458
Format: Citation

Title: Diet and foraging ecology of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys Terrapin) in south Florida.
Creator: Denton, Mathew, Baldwin, John D., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Dietary resource use for diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapins) in subtropical mangrove habitats in south Florida creeks and islands was examined to elucidate long-term individual foraging strategies. Fecal analysis revealed seven categories of food items with gastropods, crabs, and bivalves being the most dominant food items respectively. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed differences in habitat, but not terrapin size class. Stable isotope analysis confirmed the findings,...
Show moreDietary resource use for diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapins) in subtropical mangrove habitats in south Florida creeks and islands was examined to elucidate long-term individual foraging strategies. Fecal analysis revealed seven categories of food items with gastropods, crabs, and bivalves being the most dominant food items respectively. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed differences in habitat, but not terrapin size class. Stable isotope analysis confirmed the findings, identifying habitat and site differences in δ13C and δ15N values for both terrapins and their prey. Bi-plots of terrapin and potential prey δ 13C and δ 15N values revealed potential dietary sources previously undetermined by fecal analysis. Comparisons of scute and blood isotope data revealed significant differences in δ13C indicating potential shifts in either food resources and/or habitat use through the time period recorded in the scute tissue. These tissue comparisons represent a powerful tool for estimating long term foraging strategies for a key estuarine species.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004101
Subject Headings: Diamondback terrapin -- Habitat -- Florida., Diamondback terrapin -- Ecology -- Florida., Predation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Diet of the Purple Swamphen in south Florida and invasion pathways of nonnative avian species in Florida.
Creator: Callaghan, Corey, Gawlik, Dale E., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: The spread of nonnative invasive species has become the second greatest threat to global biodiversity, making management of invasive species a critical component of the conservation of biodiversity worldwide. Managers and conservation biologists often lack basic life history data, as well as quantitative and theoretical models to predict risk of invasion or other negative effects. I contribute information to both categories by providing life history information (diet and morphology) of the...
Show moreThe spread of nonnative invasive species has become the second greatest threat to global biodiversity, making management of invasive species a critical component of the conservation of biodiversity worldwide. Managers and conservation biologists often lack basic life history data, as well as quantitative and theoretical models to predict risk of invasion or other negative effects. I contribute information to both categories by providing life history information (diet and morphology) of the Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) and by characterizing the invasion pathways that nonnative avian species in Florida follow. I found Purple Swamphens are predominantly eating and selecting for Eleocharis cellulosa. Additionally, there is a large amount of variation in nonnative avian species’ propensity to colonize natural habitat and the time it takes to do so. Nine out of 15 species investigated colonized natural habitat and the time it took them to do so ranged from 8 to 41 years. It is through a combination of various techniques that ecologists will begin to fully understand the importance of studying nonnative species as well as reducing the impact that nonnatives have on native ecosystems.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004433, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004433
Subject Headings: Birds--Behavior., Birds--Habitat., Adaptation (Biology), Biological invasions., Introduced organisms., Ecological risk assessment--Florida.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Diet variation and the consumptive effects of native centrarchids on benthic macroinvertebrates in wetlands.
Creator: Bransky, Jacob., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Fish predation can have structuring effects in aquatic communities, but the most important fish predators are not always immediately obvious. Generalist fish predators often occupy similar habitats and consume similar prey making determination of their consumptive impacts difficult. Understanding these consumptive impacts is important for understanding complex wetland food webs. I collected warmouth (Lepomis gulosus), bluespotted sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus), and dollar sunfish (Lepomis...
Show moreFish predation can have structuring effects in aquatic communities, but the most important fish predators are not always immediately obvious. Generalist fish predators often occupy similar habitats and consume similar prey making determination of their consumptive impacts difficult. Understanding these consumptive impacts is important for understanding complex wetland food webs. I collected warmouth (Lepomis gulosus), bluespotted sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus), and dollar sunfish (Lepomis marginatus) in two seasons from sloughs for both diet and bioenergetics analysis. Macroinvertebrates dominated diets of the three species, and nonparametric analyses revealed evidence of diet ontogeny in warmouth and potential competition for prey items among gape-matched individuals. Bioenergetics modeling revealed high levels of macroinvertebrate comsumption by these species relative to macroinvertebrate reproductive output suggesting that when combined with other sources of mortality, consumptive pressures placed by sunfish on benthic macroinvertebrates may be quite large.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3356894
Subject Headings: Wetland ecology, Predatory marine animals, Ecology, Predation (Biology), Habitat selction, Marine ecosystem management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Ecology of the barracudinas (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae), a ubiquitous but understudied mesopelagic predatory fish family, in the Gulf of Mexico.
Creator: Jones, Richard, Moore, Jon, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 prompted an enormous survey effort to assess the under-studied, deep-ocean ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting samples and datasets afforded a unique opportunity to study the ecology of a poorly known group of mesopelagic fishes, the barracudinas (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae). Here we address several important data gaps regarding the ecology of the Paralepididae. Our results indicate that a majority of barracudina species are efficient at...
Show moreThe Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 prompted an enormous survey effort to assess the under-studied, deep-ocean ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting samples and datasets afforded a unique opportunity to study the ecology of a poorly known group of mesopelagic fishes, the barracudinas (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae). Here we address several important data gaps regarding the ecology of the Paralepididae. Our results indicate that a majority of barracudina species are efficient at avoiding research-sized nets, suggesting that their overall abundance has been historically underestimated. Notable differences in vertical distribution, seasonal abundances of sizes classes, and diets were observed among the three major sub-groups of the family, with potential implications to ecosystem-based management of deep-pelagic fisheries. This thesis is dedicated to all the fish, squids, and shrimps that gave their lives to make these data and to those that endured the hardship of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013075
Subject Headings: Barracudinas., Paralepididae., Fishes--Mexico, Gulf of., Fishes--Ecology.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Effect of diet differences and non-native prey consumption on the productivity of small herons.
Creator: Jackson, Ashley Elizabeth, Gawlik, Dale E., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Little Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, and Tricolored Herons that nest in the Everglades have declined sharply over the past decade, due in part to food resource limitations. Here, I examined the diet of small herons to determine how prey characteristics affected the fitness of small herons in the highly modified Florida Everglades. Analysis of these diet differences showed birds nesting in 2017, a hydrologically dryer-than average year, and a more taxonomically varied diet were associated with...
Show moreLittle Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, and Tricolored Herons that nest in the Everglades have declined sharply over the past decade, due in part to food resource limitations. Here, I examined the diet of small herons to determine how prey characteristics affected the fitness of small herons in the highly modified Florida Everglades. Analysis of these diet differences showed birds nesting in 2017, a hydrologically dryer-than average year, and a more taxonomically varied diet were associated with nest success and improved body condition of nestlings. Over half (51%) of the fish biomass Little Blue Herons consumed were non-native species, compared to 14% and 19% non-native fish biomass consumed by Snowy Egrets and Tricolored Herons, respectively. Surprisingly, <7% of fish biomass available in the Everglades were comprised of non-native fish species, suggesting that small herons, and Little Blue Herons in particular, may be using alternative foraging habitats, to supplement their dietary needs.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013072
Subject Headings: Herons, Florida--Everglades., Herons--Ecology.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Effects of freshwater discharges and habitat architecture on oyster reef community development and diversity.
Creator: Salewski, Elizabeth a., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Oyster reefs support diverse estuarine communities and food webs. Factors controlling oyster reef community development were studied on restored reefs in the St. Lucie Estuary. Freshwater discharges create stresses that cause oyster mortality, habitat loss and reduction in reef community diversity. Using structural equation modeling, it was demonstrated that salinity, turbidity, and chlorophyll-a gradients influence oysters and some reef invertebrate species, but did not support the...
Show moreOyster reefs support diverse estuarine communities and food webs. Factors controlling oyster reef community development were studied on restored reefs in the St. Lucie Estuary. Freshwater discharges create stresses that cause oyster mortality, habitat loss and reduction in reef community diversity. Using structural equation modeling, it was demonstrated that salinity, turbidity, and chlorophyll-a gradients influence oysters and some reef invertebrate species, but did not support the predictions of the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis. In contrast, diversity and species richness were greatest at low stress sites. A field experiment showed that topographic relief and architectural complexity enhanced colonization and growth of reef-building species (e.g.oysters and mussels). The relief by complexity interaction had a higher order, synergistic effect on oyster abundance. When considered separately, increasing relief further enhanced dominant sessile taxa (cirripeds and ascideans) ; while, increasing complexity supported greater species richness and the abundance of cirripeds.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3355881
Subject Headings: American oyster, Reef ecology, Habitat conservation, Predation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Estimating the vulnerability of Everglades peat to combustion.
Creator: Johnson, James., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Fire occurrences in the Everglades have increased since hydrologic alterations began, yet the vulnerability of Everglades peat to combustion during wildfires has yet to be determined. Natural fire regimes help maintain ecosystem functions and services and disruptions of natural disturbance regimes can have detrimental impacts, jeopardizing ecosystem health. Severe peat combustion can destroy native vegetation, alter microtopography, and release large amounts of stored carbon into the...
Show moreFire occurrences in the Everglades have increased since hydrologic alterations began, yet the vulnerability of Everglades peat to combustion during wildfires has yet to be determined. Natural fire regimes help maintain ecosystem functions and services and disruptions of natural disturbance regimes can have detrimental impacts, jeopardizing ecosystem health. Severe peat combustion can destroy native vegetation, alter microtopography, and release large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere. To create a better understanding of the mechanistic controls on Everglades ground fires, the soil's physical properties within several sites of Water Conservation Area 3 and how changes in water table affect these physical characteristics were determined. Areas disturbed by hydrologic alterations contain higher mineral content and therefore require lower water content to combust when compared to preserved regions. Changes in water tables have a significant effect on soil moisture and lower water tables drastically increase the vulnerability of a region.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3358594
Subject Headings: Ecological engineering, Conservation of natural resources, Fire ecology, Ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: FAU Climate Change Initiative Priority Theme: Research, Engineering, and Adaption to a Change Climate.
Creator: Berry, Leonard, Koch, Marguerite, Center for Environmental Studies, Benscoter, Brian, Comas, Xavier, Devlin, Donna, Fadiman, Maria, Gerstein, E., Herzing, Denise L., Hindle, Tobin, Milton, Sarah L., Oleinik, Anton E., Proffitt, C. Edward, Restrepo, Jorge I., Root, Tara L., Wyneken, Jeanette, Xie, Zhixiao, Zhang, Xing-Hai, Esnard, Ann-Margaret, Mitsova, Diana, Murley, J., Vos, J., Escaleras, Monica, Mehallis, M., Shaw, Eric H., Hardman, Guillermo [John], Lambert, Julie, Thomas, G., Arockiasamy, Madasamy, Bloetscher, Frederick, Carvalho, G., Dhanak, Manhar R., Frisk, George V., Kaisar, Evangelos I., Kalva, Hari, Meeroff, Daniel E., Rodriguez, Jarice, Scarlatos, Panagiotis (Pete) D., Shankar, Ravi, Teegavarapu, Ramesh, Brown, Clifford T., McAfee, Francis, Widener, Patricia, Dalgleish, Fraser R., Hanisak, M. Dennis, McMulloch, S., O'Corry-Crowe, Gregory, Pomponi, Shirley A., Reed, John K., Scarpa, John, Voss, Joshua, Heimlich, Barry N., Alvarez, R., Jolley, J., Edwards, A., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, College of Business, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, College of Education, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00003457
Format: Citation

Title: Florida Center for Environmental Studies Annual Report 1999-2000.
Creator: Center for Environmental Studies, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Date Issued: 1999 - 2000
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00003455
Format: Citation

Title: Hotspot analysis of wildlife vehicle collisions of BR-262, Mato Grosso Do Sul, Brazil and recommendations for mitigation efforts.
Creator: Dougherty, Rebecca R., Berry, Leonard, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Road networks have significant impacts on ecosystems through deforestation, rapid land conversion and wildlife-vehicle collisions. Road ecology seeks to analyze the spatial and biological patterns of collisions to understand the effect of roadways and best inform transportation planning in mitigating these threats. 215 km of roadway BR-262, that bisects critical habitat of the Brazilian Cerrado and Pantanal in southwest Brazil, was analyzed between April 2011 and June 2012 to assess how...
Show moreRoad networks have significant impacts on ecosystems through deforestation, rapid land conversion and wildlife-vehicle collisions. Road ecology seeks to analyze the spatial and biological patterns of collisions to understand the effect of roadways and best inform transportation planning in mitigating these threats. 215 km of roadway BR-262, that bisects critical habitat of the Brazilian Cerrado and Pantanal in southwest Brazil, was analyzed between April 2011 and June 2012 to assess how biological, physical and landscape characteristics affect clustering of collisions. 518 collisions, representing 40 species, were found to be seasonally clustered between the unimodal rain and flood pulse in a February-March-April window and were spatially clustered over the study area in relation to cash crop and cattle ranching land-use and the rural low-lying Pantanal floodplain. Mitigation seeks to work with local communities and transportation agencies to facilitate fauna safe crossing through the roadway that do not conflict with drivers.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004363
Subject Headings: Wildlife crossings--Brazil, Wildlife management--Brazil, Habitat conservation--Brazil, Animals, Effect of roads on, Roads--Brazil--Environmental aspects
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Improving the Resilience of a Municipal Water Utility Against the Likely Impacts of Climate Change - A Case Study: City of Pompano Beach Water Utility.
Creator: Bloetscher, Frederick, Meeroff, Daniel E., Heimlich, Barry N., Center for Environmental Studies, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00003456
Format: Citation

Title: Juvenile Population Dynamics of Families Lutjanidae and Serranidae in the Gulf of Mexico, with Respect to the Loop Current and other Hydrographic Features.
Creator: Velez, Sebastian, Moore, Jon, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: The Gulf of Mexico (GoM) contains a variety oceanographic features including; the Loop Current, cyclonic/anticyclonic eddies, common water, and the Mississippi River Plume. The relationship these features have on the community assemblages of Families Lutjanidae and Serranidae has been of great interest from both biological and economic standpoints. These families represent some of the most economically important fisheries in the GoM. Identifying the role these features play in the...
Show moreThe Gulf of Mexico (GoM) contains a variety oceanographic features including; the Loop Current, cyclonic/anticyclonic eddies, common water, and the Mississippi River Plume. The relationship these features have on the community assemblages of Families Lutjanidae and Serranidae has been of great interest from both biological and economic standpoints. These families represent some of the most economically important fisheries in the GoM. Identifying the role these features play in the transportation of larval and juvenile nearshore species to offshore environments is vital to resource managers. Using data collected shortly after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill via the NOAA Natural Resource Damage Assessment in 2011 as well as cruises conducted by the Deep Pelagic Nekton Dynamics of the Gulf of Mexico (DEEPEND) Consortium from 2015-2017, the faunal composition and abundance of these families were analyzed with respect to seasonality, oceanographic features, depth distribution, and time.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005983
Subject Headings: Lutjanidae, Serranidae, Fish populations--Mexico, Gulf of, Loop Current
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Knots in the woods: an assessment of the effects of location on self-directed experiential learning.
Creator: Coyle, Jasmine, Owen, Dianne, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: My research measured completion and retention of procedural learning tasks, and declarative and procedural components of engagement in indoor and outdoor settings. Instructor-assisted Self-Directed Learning and Non-instructor-assisted Self-Directed Learning were implemented in the context of an Experiential Learning approach. Experimental covariates included student-specific variables such as background and experience, and environment-specific variables such as temperature, and humidity. AIC...
Show moreMy research measured completion and retention of procedural learning tasks, and declarative and procedural components of engagement in indoor and outdoor settings. Instructor-assisted Self-Directed Learning and Non-instructor-assisted Self-Directed Learning were implemented in the context of an Experiential Learning approach. Experimental covariates included student-specific variables such as background and experience, and environment-specific variables such as temperature, and humidity. AIC model averaging was used to identify the best-fitting mixed GLM models. Neither location, nor pedagogic method, proved to be a significant predictor of the probability that a student would complete the most complex of the procedural learning tasks, and the percent of students completing this task was not significantly higher in outdoor groups than in indoor groups. Neither location nor pedagogic method was a significant predictor of retention of procedural knowledge or engagement with learning materials. The level of voluntary collaboration was higher in outdoor groups than in indoor groups.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004095, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004095
Subject Headings: Active learning, Education, Higher -- Philosophy, Experiential learning, Group learning in education, Inquiry based learning
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Marsh Ecosystem Services, Benefits, and Perceptions of Value: Case Studies in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Georgia.
Creator: Edwards, Vince, Polsky, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Human reliance on the goods and services provided by ecosystems and the global decline in the health of many of these ecosystems, necessitates ecosystem valuation for the purposes of decision-making and conservation policy. The literature suggests that conventionally employed economic valuation methods have been unsuccessful in capturing the full scope of the benefits ecosystems provide, particularly those benefits that are considered cultural. This research explores public perceptions of...
Show moreHuman reliance on the goods and services provided by ecosystems and the global decline in the health of many of these ecosystems, necessitates ecosystem valuation for the purposes of decision-making and conservation policy. The literature suggests that conventionally employed economic valuation methods have been unsuccessful in capturing the full scope of the benefits ecosystems provide, particularly those benefits that are considered cultural. This research explores public perceptions of salt marsh value through the use of focus groups in marsh-adjacent communities in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Georgia. Results suggest that in case study communities, outdoor experiences in salt marshes inspire serenity in Massachusetts, shape shore and “marsh” identities in Virginia, and promote stewardship cultivation in Georgia. Perceived threats to these benefits, such as the threat of residential development, industrial pollution, and increasing flood risk, together constitute the context for various community responses related to marsh protection. Results contribute to existing economic valuations.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004999
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Ecosystem services--Case studies., Salt marshes., Ecosystem services--Valuation.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Passive acoustics as a monitoring tool for evaluating oyster reef restoration.
Creator: Zenil Becerra, Hilde P., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: Oyster reefs are biodiverse communities that provide many ecological and commercial benefits. However, oyster reefs have declined around the world from human activities. Oyster reef restoration programs have begun to limit some of the decline, but the need for determining the success of a program has been problematic. Passive acoustic techniques can use naturally occurring sounds produced by organisms to assess biodiversity. Passive acoustics was utilized to compare the sounds in natural and...
Show moreOyster reefs are biodiverse communities that provide many ecological and commercial benefits. However, oyster reefs have declined around the world from human activities. Oyster reef restoration programs have begun to limit some of the decline, but the need for determining the success of a program has been problematic. Passive acoustic techniques can use naturally occurring sounds produced by organisms to assess biodiversity. Passive acoustics was utilized to compare the sounds in natural and restored oyster reefs, with special attention on snapping shrimp (Alpheus spp.) snap sounds, in the St. Lucie Estuary, Florida over a one year period. Season, estuary region, habitat and day period had an effect on sound production. Passive acoustic monitoring of snapping shrimp sound production may be a useful non-destructive technique for monitoring the progress of oyster reef restoration projects once further correlations are established between environmental effects and sound production.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3352882
Subject Headings: American oyster, Ecosystem management, Restoration ecology, Aquatic ecology, Underwater acoustics
Format: Document (PDF)

FAU Theses and Dissertations (23)	+ -
FAU College Collections (6)	+ -

Predation (Biology) (3)	+ -
American oyster (2)	+ -
Ecology (2)	+ -
Acidification (1)	+ -
Active learning (1)	+ -

Adaptation (Biology) (1)	+ -
Albula (1)	+ -
Algal communities (1)	+ -
American alligator. (1)	+ -
Animals, Effect of roads on (1)	+ -
Aquatic ecology (1)	+ -
Barracudinas. (1)	+ -
Biological invasions. (1)	+ -
Biotic communities (1)	+ -
Birds--Behavior. (1)	+ -
Birds--Habitat. (1)	+ -
Bonefish (1)	+ -
Chrysobalanus icaco (1)	+ -
Coastal ecology (1)	+ -
Coastal zone management (1)	+ -
Conservation of natural resources (1)	+ -
Coral reef biology (1)	+ -
Coral reef ecology (1)	+ -
Diamondback terrapin -- Ecology -- Florida. (1)	+ -
Diamondback terrapin -- Habitat -- Florida. (1)	+ -
Dispersal (1)	+ -
Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University (1)	+ -
Ecological engineering (1)	+ -
Ecological risk assessment--Florida. (1)	+ -
Ecosystem management (1)	+ -

Florida (5)	+ -
St. Lucie River Estuary (2)	+ -
Everglades National Park (1)	+ -
Everglades National Park (Fla.) (1)	+ -
Kissimmee River Valley (Fla.) (1)	+ -

Kissimmee River Watershed (1)	+ -
Restoration ecology (1)	+ -
St. Lucie River Estuary (Fla.) (1)	+ -

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