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impacts of harmful algal blooms on a Florida reef fish community
Title
The impacts of harmful algal blooms on a Florida reef fish community.
Creator
Baumberger, Rex E., Jr., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Biology
Abstract/Description
Coral reefs worldwide are threatened by many environmental disturbances including harmful algal blooms (HABs) which have been increasing on Florida coasts over the past decade. Research has mainly focused on HAB identification, percent cover and other effects on the benthos but the relationship of HABs with upper trophic levels has received less attention. To study this relationship, a two-year investigation on a 10-m deep reef off of Hallandale Beach, was conducted. Stationary fish census...
Show moreCoral reefs worldwide are threatened by many environmental disturbances including harmful algal blooms (HABs) which have been increasing on Florida coasts over the past decade. Research has mainly focused on HAB identification, percent cover and other effects on the benthos but the relationship of HABs with upper trophic levels has received less attention. To study this relationship, a two-year investigation on a 10-m deep reef off of Hallandale Beach, was conducted. Stationary fish census coupled with benthic transect videos were conducted quarterly between April 2005-July 2007. A significant correlation between Lyngbya sp. blooms and alterations in fish assemblages was observed. Lyngbya had a negative interaction with fish species and abundance; additionally, HAB sample periods were significantly different from low algal abundance periods. Blooms of Dictyota sp. had no measurable relationship with the fish assemblage indicating HABs may have variable impacts on fishes depending on family, species and chemistry of the algae.
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Date Issued
2008
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/186286
Subject Headings
Toxic algae, Environmental aspects, Algal blooms, Environmental aspects, Water quality biological assessment, Coral reef ecology
Format
Document (PDF)
Diet of the Purple Swamphen in south Florida and invasion pathways of nonnative avian species in Florida
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)
Risk assessment of the nonnative Argentine black and white Tegu, Salvator merianae, in South Florida
Title
Risk assessment of the nonnative Argentine black and white Tegu, Salvator merianae, in South Florida.
Creator
Barraco, Liz Anne, Hughes, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
The Argentine black and white tegu, Salvator merianae, is a nonnative species that has invaded parts of Florida. The potential impacts of this species on native Florida wildlife are not yet known. This study looks at the stomach contents of 169 S. merianae captured between 2011 and 2013 in south Florida to infer potential impacts of S. merianae and spatial or seasonal shifts in diet. Analysis of 169 GI tracts showed that S. merianae is an omnivorous, terrestrial forager with a broad dietary...
Show moreThe Argentine black and white tegu, Salvator merianae, is a nonnative species that has invaded parts of Florida. The potential impacts of this species on native Florida wildlife are not yet known. This study looks at the stomach contents of 169 S. merianae captured between 2011 and 2013 in south Florida to infer potential impacts of S. merianae and spatial or seasonal shifts in diet. Analysis of 169 GI tracts showed that S. merianae is an omnivorous, terrestrial forager with a broad dietary range which includes insects, fruits, plants, snails, crayfish, carrion, birds, small mammals, turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs and eggs. S. merianae diet composition varied with capture habitat, the fattest tegus were collected from disturbed/agricultural areas and these samples contained, primarily, gastropods and insects. Tegu dietary habits threaten local endangered and state listed species such as the American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, and the Cape Sable seaside sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis. Dedicated funds and efforts need to be focused on this species to limit its further spread and future impact on native species.
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Date Issued
2015
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004344, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004344
Subject Headings
Adaptation (Biology), Ecological risk assessment -- Florida, Introduced reptiles -- Florida -- Identification, Lizards -- Florida -- Identification, Nonindigenous pests -- Geographical distribution, Predation (Biology)
Format
Document (PDF)
regeneration of nature: An alternative to ecological restoration
Title
The regeneration of nature: An alternative to ecological restoration.
Creator
Hindle, Tobin, Florida Atlantic University, Fiore, Robin N.
Abstract/Description
The Regeneration of Nature: an alternative to ecological restoration is an exploration of the human response to alterations society has imposed on natural ecosystems. Ecological restoration is the dominant response to these degraded systems that has emerged within Western, empirical thought. Restoration as it is characteristically practiced in the United States attempts to reverse human impact by returning an ecosystem to an earlier state of existence; its so called pre-disturbance condition....
Show moreThe Regeneration of Nature: an alternative to ecological restoration is an exploration of the human response to alterations society has imposed on natural ecosystems. Ecological restoration is the dominant response to these degraded systems that has emerged within Western, empirical thought. Restoration as it is characteristically practiced in the United States attempts to reverse human impact by returning an ecosystem to an earlier state of existence; its so called pre-disturbance condition. However, I argue that ecological restoration does not adequately address degraded ecosystems dominating today's landscape primarily because it excludes humans as an integrated part of ecosystems and it ignores the dynamic characteristics of nature. Despite the dichotomy embedded in the restoration view, humans and nature are best understood as interdependent. Therefore, those working on urban environmental issues must develop integrated solutions in which both society and nature benefit without creating negative impacts on each other. In The Regeneration of Nature: an alternative to ecological restoration , I show how the connections between science, society, and nature can be recognized as an integrated view to establish a new paradigm for positive change within communities, both natural and human. The new paradigm, which I entitle ecological regeneration, extends the interdisciplinary style of environmental research as it calls for the development, adoption, and dissemination of a truly integrated and dynamic socio-ecological model to replace the static and reductionist view that prevails within the ecological restoration model. Where restoration treats the human and natural environments as mutually exclusive, regeneration recognizes the necessity of integrating human built systems within nature and nature within built systems. By examining conceptual and practical problems within ecological restoration, my goal is to offer an ecological regeneration framework leading to theoretically better solutions with respect to society's impact on natural ecosystems. The vision I offer here of regenerating nature within the built environment is intended to help fellow scientists, non-scientists, and the general public pursue an environmentally accountable and socially responsible prospect.
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Date Issued
2006
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12232
Subject Headings
Nature--Effect of human beings on, Extinction (Biology), Biological diversity conservation, United States--Environmental policy, Ecosystem management, Ecological assessment (Biology), Biodiversity
Format
Document (PDF)
ascidian Styela plicata as a potential bioremediator of bacterial and algal contamination of marine estuarine waters
Title
The ascidian Styela plicata as a potential bioremediator of bacterial and algal contamination of marine estuarine waters.
Creator
Draughon, Lisa D., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
The tunicate Styela plicata (Ascidiacea) was investigated for its potential use in bioremediation of bacteria and microalgae blooms from estuarine waters. Salinity tolerances, filtration rate, substrate selection, and effects on digested bacteria and ichthyofaunal communities were examined. If acclimated slowly, Styela can be placed in salinities as low as 24 parts per thousand (ppt) before increased fatalities result. An immediate decrease in salinity from 32 ppt to 20 ppt was not...
Show moreThe tunicate Styela plicata (Ascidiacea) was investigated for its potential use in bioremediation of bacteria and microalgae blooms from estuarine waters. Salinity tolerances, filtration rate, substrate selection, and effects on digested bacteria and ichthyofaunal communities were examined. If acclimated slowly, Styela can be placed in salinities as low as 24 parts per thousand (ppt) before increased fatalities result. An immediate decrease in salinity from 32 ppt to 20 ppt was not detrimental at short term exposure (four days). One average-sized (~40g) Styela, exposed to 105 and 106 bacteria or microalgae mL-1, can filter as much as 4.7 L hr-1 and 3.3 L hr-1, respectively. Individual tunicate filtration rates varied from hour to hour, independent of organism size, indicating that filtration rates for this species would be better reported on a population basis rather than on an individual weight or size basis. Bacterial viability in tunicate feces was assessed by ATP analysis. Bacteria were found to be non-viable after passage through the tunicate digestive tract. Filtration of eggs or larvae of recreationally or commercially important fish is of concern. The smallest eggs (~0.6mm) reported in the Indian River Lagoon belong to Cynoscion nebulosus (spotted seatrout) and Bairdiella chrysoura (silver perch). Over the course of two hours, 72.5% of 0.5 mm glass beads (simulated fish eggs) were initially retained, but many were later expelled by the tunicates. For 1.0 mm beads, 49.4% were initially retained and for 2.0 mm beads, 43.5% were initially retained. Neither the size of the oral siphon nor the size of the overall animal was correlated to bead retention. Substrate selection was investigated using the tunicate Phallusia nigra., Newly hatched larvae preferred settling on wood (53.7%), as compared to polyethylene (30.9%), high-density polyethylene (13.0%), and polyvinyl chloride (2.4%). Overall, results of this study indicate S. plicata is very effective at removing bacteria and microalgae from estuarine waters. However, further testing is warranted regarding the unwanted removal of fish eggs and larvae before utilization of S. plicata for bioremedial purposes.
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Date Issued
2010
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/1927312
Subject Headings
Marine bioremediation, Estuarine ecology, Water quality management, Water quality biological assessment
Format
Document (PDF)
The Ascidian Styela plicata As a Potential Bioremediator of the Brown Tide Pelagophytes Aureoumbra lagunensis and Aureococcus anophagefferens
Title
The Ascidian Styela plicata As a Potential Bioremediator of the Brown Tide Pelagophytes Aureoumbra lagunensis and Aureococcus anophagefferens.
Creator
Klarmann, Phyllis A., Hartmann, James X., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
A brown tide bloom of the pelagophyte Aureoumbra lagunensis caused significant impacts to north Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in 2012-2013, including seagrass die-offs, fish kills, and reduced growth and grazing of ecologically important bivalves. There is potential for another pelagophyte, Aureococcus anophagefferens, to expand into this system. Filtration rates (FR) of the pleated tunicate Styela plicata exposed to Aureoumbra lagunensis and Aureococcus anophagefferens were measured against...
Show moreA brown tide bloom of the pelagophyte Aureoumbra lagunensis caused significant impacts to north Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in 2012-2013, including seagrass die-offs, fish kills, and reduced growth and grazing of ecologically important bivalves. There is potential for another pelagophyte, Aureococcus anophagefferens, to expand into this system. Filtration rates (FR) of the pleated tunicate Styela plicata exposed to Aureoumbra lagunensis and Aureococcus anophagefferens were measured against exposure to a control alga (Tisochrysis lutea) in order to determine its potential use as a bioremediator against these harmful algal blooms (HABs). In addition, whether S. plicata might serve as a vector of HABs was studied by culturing fecal deposits. Short-term exposure to HABs significantly reduced FR, whereas long-term exposure indicates comparable cell removal compared to the control. Vector potential of S. plicata was inconclusive. Results warrant further research to determine whether S. plicata can acclimate or respond to HAB conditions over time.
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Date Issued
2015
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004513
Subject Headings
Algal blooms -- Florida -- Indian River Lagoon, Cyanobacterial blooms -- Toxicology, Estuarine ecology, Indian River Lagoon (Fla.) -- Environmental aspects, Marine bioremediation, Marine ecology, Marine pollution, Water quality biological assessment
Format
Document (PDF)