Current Search: Habitat Ecology--Florida (x)
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(1 - 9 of 9)
- Title
- Development and application of a new comprehensive image-based classification scheme for coastal and benthic environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf.
- Creator
- Makowski, Christopher, Finkl, Charles W., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
- Abstract/Description
-
The coastal (terrestrial) and benthic environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf show a unique biophysical succession of marine features from a highly urbanized, developed coastal region in the north (i.e. northern Miami-Dade County) to a protective marine sanctuary in the southeast (i.e. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary). However, the establishment of a standard bio-geomorphological classification scheme for this area of coastal and benthic environments is lacking. The...
Show moreThe coastal (terrestrial) and benthic environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf show a unique biophysical succession of marine features from a highly urbanized, developed coastal region in the north (i.e. northern Miami-Dade County) to a protective marine sanctuary in the southeast (i.e. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary). However, the establishment of a standard bio-geomorphological classification scheme for this area of coastal and benthic environments is lacking. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis and answer the research question of whether new parameters of integrating geomorphological components with dominant biological covers could be developed and applied across multiple remote sensing platforms for an innovative way to identify, interpret, and classify diverse coastal and benthic environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf. An ordered, manageable hierarchical classification scheme was developed to incorporate the categories of Physiographic Realm, Morphodynamic Zone, Geoform, Landform, Dominant Surface Sediment, and Dominant Biological Cover. Six different remote sensing platforms (i.e. five multi-spectral satellite image sensors and one high-resolution aerial orthoimagery) were acquired, delineated according to the new classification scheme, and compared to determine optimal formats for classifying the study area. Cognitive digital classification at a nominal scale of 1:6000 proved to be more accurate than autoclassification programs and therefore used to differentiate coastal marine environments based on spectral reflectance characteristics, such as color, tone, saturation, pattern, and texture of the seafloor topology. In addition, attribute tables were created in conjugation with interpretations to quantify and compare the spatial relationships between classificatory units. IKONOS-2 satellite imagery was determined to be the optimal platform for applying the hierarchical classification scheme. However, each remote sensing platform had beneficial properties depending on research goals, logistical restrictions, and financial support. This study concluded that a new hierarchical comprehensive classification scheme for identifying coastal marine environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf could be achieved by integrating geomorphological features with biological coverages. This newly developed scheme, which can be applied across multiple remote sensing platforms with GIS software, establishes an innovative classification protocol to be used in future research studies.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004135, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004135
- Subject Headings
- Benthos -- Habitat -- Maps, Environmental mapping, Marine ecology -- Florida, Marine ecology -- Florida, Ubiquitous computing
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- 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.
Show less - 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
- The effects of Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) on gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) habitat utilization.
- Creator
- Hicklin, Judith Ray, Florida Atlantic University, Austin, Daniel F.
- Abstract/Description
-
Three plots were chosen on the Florida Atlantic University Nature Preserve (FAUNP) to study the effect of the exotic Brazilian pepper trees, on the burrow site selection and foraging range of the native gopher tortoise. The home range of tortoises was not statistically different among plots. Proximity of burrows to tree, size of tree and nearest neighbor distance exhibited no effect on burrow site selection or foraging range. Tortoise burrows in all plots exhibited a random dispersion....
Show moreThree plots were chosen on the Florida Atlantic University Nature Preserve (FAUNP) to study the effect of the exotic Brazilian pepper trees, on the burrow site selection and foraging range of the native gopher tortoise. The home range of tortoises was not statistically different among plots. Proximity of burrows to tree, size of tree and nearest neighbor distance exhibited no effect on burrow site selection or foraging range. Tortoise burrows in all plots exhibited a random dispersion. Current coverage by Brazilian pepper trees and the size of the trees present on the FAUNP has no significant effect on the burrow site selection, or burrow status of the gopher tortoises.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1994
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15024
- Subject Headings
- Schinus, Habitat (Ecology)--Florida, Exotic plants--Florida, Gopher tortoise--Habitat
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A habitat suitability model for wading birds in a large subtropical lake: linking hydrologic fluctuations and nesting.
- Creator
- Botta, Richard A., Gawlik, Dale E., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Anthropogenic hydrologic alterations can affect the quality of lake littoral zone habitats for wading birds, such as the great egret (Ardea alba), snowy egret (Egretta thula), and white ibis (Eudocimus albus). One such lake in Florida, Lake Okeechobee, has experienced a marked decline in wading bird nesting since the 1970’s, concomitant with changes in lake level management. It’s hypothesized that a reduction in foraging habitat has led to the nesting decline; however, there is little...
Show moreAnthropogenic hydrologic alterations can affect the quality of lake littoral zone habitats for wading birds, such as the great egret (Ardea alba), snowy egret (Egretta thula), and white ibis (Eudocimus albus). One such lake in Florida, Lake Okeechobee, has experienced a marked decline in wading bird nesting since the 1970’s, concomitant with changes in lake level management. It’s hypothesized that a reduction in foraging habitat has led to the nesting decline; however, there is little quantitative evidence of this link. A habitat suitability model was developed for Lake Okeechobee wading birds that incorporate the spatial and temporal dynamics of environmental factors that affect wading bird foraging and tests whether foraging habitat is linked to numbers of nests.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004082
- Subject Headings
- Birds -- Florida -- Lake Okeechobee -- Geographical distribution, Estuarine ecology -- Florida -- Lake Okeechobee, Restoration ecology -- Florida -- Lake Okeechobee, Water birds -- Habitat
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Genetic variation amongst different populations of Typha domingensis and Typha latifolia (cattails) in the Florida Everglades.
- Creator
- Tapia, Manuel N., Florida Atlantic University, Zhang, Xing-Hai
- Abstract/Description
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This thesis is intended to explore the genetic variation between cattail species (Typha spp.), within T. domingensis in different locations, anthropoegenic conditions, and possibly discover a hybrid in the Florida Everglades. Typha domingensis is the dominant cattail species in the Everglades, while Typha latifolia a less common species is also present. Five nuclear and chloroplast protein encoding genes from around 20 samples of cattail plants were collected randomly in the Water...
Show moreThis thesis is intended to explore the genetic variation between cattail species (Typha spp.), within T. domingensis in different locations, anthropoegenic conditions, and possibly discover a hybrid in the Florida Everglades. Typha domingensis is the dominant cattail species in the Everglades, while Typha latifolia a less common species is also present. Five nuclear and chloroplast protein encoding genes from around 20 samples of cattail plants were collected randomly in the Water Conservation Areas of the Everglades Protection Act, cloned and sequenced. The results of sequencing showed differences between the two species studied, using an insertion within an intron of the Type 2 Metallothionein-like protein gene as a marker to differentiate between the two species. A high degree of nucleotide polymorphisms interspecifically was revealed. Species identification based on morphology is not always reliable that is why our marker must be utilized to confirm the identity of a plant.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13415
- Subject Headings
- Everglades (Fla ), Typha--Florida--Everglades, Wetland plants--Florida--Everglades, Habitat (Ecology)--Florida--Everglades
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Gopher tortoise habitat use and spatial distribution in a southeastern Florida population.
- Creator
- King, E. H., Florida Atlantic University, Wyneken, Jeanette, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Gopher tortoise ecology is poorly understood in the rapidly developing, urbanized southeastern end of its range. This study reports on a population at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Burrow surveys were conducted from May to July 2003 and May to August 2004. Burrows were marked and mapped as was vegetative cover. Burrow locations were tested against vegetative cover height and soil types. Burrow locations did not differ among soil types. The densest concentrations of...
Show moreGopher tortoise ecology is poorly understood in the rapidly developing, urbanized southeastern end of its range. This study reports on a population at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Burrow surveys were conducted from May to July 2003 and May to August 2004. Burrows were marked and mapped as was vegetative cover. Burrow locations were tested against vegetative cover height and soil types. Burrow locations did not differ among soil types. The densest concentrations of burrows were located in areas of low, patchy vegetative cover. This is consistent with known gopher tortoise habitat preferences elsewhere in their range. Gopher tortoises on this site appeared to be acclimated to anthropogenic disturbance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13272
- Subject Headings
- Ecology, Gopher tortoise--Geographical distribution, Habitat (Ecology)--Florida, Zoogeography
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The effect of hydroperiod on the growth of the crayfish species Procambarus alleni and Procambarus fallax: Two keystone species in the Florida Everglades.
- Creator
- Gardner, Matthew D., Florida Atlantic University, Volin, John C.
- Abstract/Description
-
The Everglades ecosystem is home to two species of freshwater crayfish: the Everglades crayfish Procambarus alleni and the slough crayfish Procambarus fallax. These species play a key ecological role by transporting energy from primary producers to higher trophic levels. Understanding the factors that regulate crayfish growth is an essential step in restoring their productivity in the Everglades ecosystem. In order to determine the effect of hydroperiod on crayfish growth, I collected...
Show moreThe Everglades ecosystem is home to two species of freshwater crayfish: the Everglades crayfish Procambarus alleni and the slough crayfish Procambarus fallax. These species play a key ecological role by transporting energy from primary producers to higher trophic levels. Understanding the factors that regulate crayfish growth is an essential step in restoring their productivity in the Everglades ecosystem. In order to determine the effect of hydroperiod on crayfish growth, I collected crayfish from the Florida Everglades and subjected them to one of three hydroperiod treatments. The growth of both crayfish species in reduced hydroperiod treatments was significantly less than those in long hydroperiod treatments. Procambarus alleni had a significantly faster initial growth rate than P. fallax, which may give it a competitive advantage in shorter hydroperiod marshes and help explain the distributions of these two species. The results of this study indicate that lengthening hydroperiods in the Everglades ecosystem may have a positive effect on crayfish productivity.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13361
- Subject Headings
- Ecosystem management--Florida--Everglades National Park, Everglades National Park (Fla ), Crayfish--Habitat--Florida--Everglades National Park, Wetland ecology--Florida--Everglades National Park
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Development, evaluation, and application of spatio-temporal wading bird foraging models to guide everglades restoration.
- Creator
- Beerens, James M., Noonburg, Erik G., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
In south Florida, the Greater Everglades ecosystem supports sixteen species of wading birds. Wading birds serve as important indicator species because they are highly mobile, demonstrate flexible habitat selection, and respond quickly to changes in habitat quality. Models that establish habitat relationships from distribution patterns of wading birds can be used to predict changes in habitat quality that may result from restoration and climate change. I developed spatio-temporal species...
Show moreIn south Florida, the Greater Everglades ecosystem supports sixteen species of wading birds. Wading birds serve as important indicator species because they are highly mobile, demonstrate flexible habitat selection, and respond quickly to changes in habitat quality. Models that establish habitat relationships from distribution patterns of wading birds can be used to predict changes in habitat quality that may result from restoration and climate change. I developed spatio-temporal species distribution models for the Great Egret, White Ibis, and Wood Stork over a decadal gradient of environmental conditions to identify factors that link habitat availability to habitat use (i.e., habitat selection), habitat use to species abundance, and species abundance (over multiple scales) to nesting effort and success. Hydrological variables (depth, recession rate, days since drydown, reversal, and hydroperiod) over multiple temporal scales and with existing links to wading bird responses were used as proxies for landscape processes that influence prey availability (i.e., resources). In temporal foraging conditions (TFC) models, species demonstrated conditional preferences for resources based on resource levels at differing temporal scales. Wading bird abundance was highest when prey production from optimal periods of wetland inundation was concentrated in shallow depths. Similar responses were observed in spatial foraging conditions (SFC) models predicting spatial occurrence over time, accounting for spatial autocorrelation. The TFC index represents conditions within suitable depths that change daily and reflects patch quality, whereas the SFC index spatially represents suitability of all cells and reflects daily landscape patch abundance. I linked these indices to responses at the nest initiation and nest provisioning breeding phases from 1993-2013. The timing of increases and overall magnitude of resource pulses predicted by the TFC in March and April were strongly linked to breeding responses by all species. Great Egret nesting effort and success were higher with increases in conspecific attraction (i.e., clustering). Wood Stork nesting effort was closely related to timing of concurrently high levels of patch quality (regional scale) and abundance (400-m scale), indicating the importance of a multi-scaled approach. The models helped identify positive and negative changes to multi-annual resource pulses from hydrological restoration and climate change scenarios, respectively.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004078, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004078
- Subject Headings
- Everglades National Park (Fla.) -- Environmental conditions, Restoration ecology -- Florida -- Everglades National Park, Water birds -- Florida -- Geographical distribution, Water birds -- Habitat -- Florida -- Everglades National Park, Wetland restoration -- Florida -- Everglades National Park
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Historical analysis of development and its impact on the ecology of the Grassy Waters Preserve.
- Creator
- Yustin, Michael A., Florida Atlantic University, Gallagher, Jacqueline
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this thesis was to document human impacts to Grassy Waters Preserve and correlate that to environmental change. Aerial photographs and archives provided a history of human impacts. These impacts included roadways, canals/levees, development, and landfills. To determine if environmental change occurred vegetation maps were digitized and compared from three study areas using 1940 and 1999 aerial photography. These vegetation maps included open water, transitional marsh/prairie,...
Show moreThe purpose of this thesis was to document human impacts to Grassy Waters Preserve and correlate that to environmental change. Aerial photographs and archives provided a history of human impacts. These impacts included roadways, canals/levees, development, and landfills. To determine if environmental change occurred vegetation maps were digitized and compared from three study areas using 1940 and 1999 aerial photography. These vegetation maps included open water, transitional marsh/prairie, cypress, upland forest and human feature categories. Within all study areas the vegetation maps indicated decreases in the open water community. Within two areas major increases in cypress and uplands occurred. Vegetative shifts varied based on the locations of features like canals and levees. Due to image quality differences statistical analysis of the maps was not possible. However, the magnitude of change suggests that Grassy Waters became more densely vegetated and forested over time.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13355
- Subject Headings
- Habitat conservation--Florida, Grassy Waters Preserve (Fla), Natural history--Florida--Grassy Waters Preserve, Ecosystem management--Florida, Environmental policy--Florida, Restoration ecology--Florida--Planning, Sustainable development--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
