You are here

FAU Collections » FAU Research Repository » FAU College Collections » Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College » Honors Student Theses

Manatee census of the Harbor Branch channel utilizing photo-identification techniques

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2010
Summary:
Anecdotal accounts of manatees congregating in the Harbor Branch channel have been reported by staff scientists at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute for over three decades. The main goals of this study were to identify individual manatees using photo-identification techniques and collect baseline data on manatee abundance and environmental parameters. During the primary study period (summer 2009), I identified 31 distinct manatees at Harbor Branch. Four manatees were matched with the statewide Manatee Individual Photo-identification System database. I observed the highest abundance of manatees in the small boats marina, suggesting that this location is preferential manatee habitat. Water temperature at the two deepest depths measured (0.6 m and 1.50 m) were the only two significantly different environmental parameters influencing the number of manatees present. The results of this study provide evidence for the Harbor Branch channel as an important manatee habitat.
Title: Manatee census of the Harbor Branch channel utilizing photo-identification techniques.
129 views
51 downloads
Name(s): Nys, Lauren.
Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Thesis
Issuance: multipart monograph
Date Issued: 2010
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Physical Form: electronic resource
Extent: vii, 29 p. : ill. (some col.)
Language(s): English
Summary: Anecdotal accounts of manatees congregating in the Harbor Branch channel have been reported by staff scientists at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute for over three decades. The main goals of this study were to identify individual manatees using photo-identification techniques and collect baseline data on manatee abundance and environmental parameters. During the primary study period (summer 2009), I identified 31 distinct manatees at Harbor Branch. Four manatees were matched with the statewide Manatee Individual Photo-identification System database. I observed the highest abundance of manatees in the small boats marina, suggesting that this location is preferential manatee habitat. Water temperature at the two deepest depths measured (0.6 m and 1.50 m) were the only two significantly different environmental parameters influencing the number of manatees present. The results of this study provide evidence for the Harbor Branch channel as an important manatee habitat.
Identifier: 779606009 (oclc), 3335459 (digitool), FADT3335459 (IID), fau:1415 (fedora)
Note(s): by Lauren Nys.
Thesis (B.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, Honors College, 2010.
Includes bibliography.
Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Subject(s): Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
Manatees -- Monitoring -- Florida -- St. Lucie County
Manatees -- Habitat -- Florida -- St. Lucie County
Manatees -- Identification -- Florida -- St. Lucie County
Held by: FBoU FAUER
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3335459
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Host Institution: FAU

In Collections