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Movement, dispersal and interpreting health assessment parameters for free-ranging raptors and a reptile in a compromised estuarine ecosystem
Title
Movement, dispersal and interpreting health assessment parameters for free-ranging raptors and a reptile in a compromised estuarine ecosystem.
Creator
Mealey, Brian K., Baldwin, John D., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
This investigation compared statistical parameters for the blood serum chemistries of free ranging Osprey nestlings from Florida Bay and an Osprey population from Lake Istokpoga, in Central Florida (Chapter 1). Florida Bay Ospreys showed higher mean rank values for alanine aminotransferase (H=6.79, P=.009), alkaline phosphatase (H=6.48, P=.011), and sodium (H=5.7, P=.017), and Central Florida had higher mean rank values potassium (H=13.19, P=.000) and carbon dioxide (H=6.23, P=.013). Serum...
Show moreThis investigation compared statistical parameters for the blood serum chemistries of free ranging Osprey nestlings from Florida Bay and an Osprey population from Lake Istokpoga, in Central Florida (Chapter 1). Florida Bay Ospreys showed higher mean rank values for alanine aminotransferase (H=6.79, P=.009), alkaline phosphatase (H=6.48, P=.011), and sodium (H=5.7, P=.017), and Central Florida had higher mean rank values potassium (H=13.19, P=.000) and carbon dioxide (H=6.23, P=.013). Serum chemistries values were also compared between free-ranging Bald Eagle and Osprey nestling in Florida Bay estuary in southern Florida (Chapter 2). There were significant differences between serum values of Bald Eagle and Osprey nestlings. Bald Eagle serum values were higher for total protein (H=17.833, P=.00002), Albumin (H=7.449, P=.006), Aspartate aminotransferase (H=113.153, P =.0001), and Calcium (H=7.148, P = 008). Osprey serum values were higher for alanine aminotransferase (H=11.824, P = 0.0005), alkaline phosphatase (H=105.5, P =.0001), creatine kinase (H=13.465, P = 0.0002), carbon dioxide (H=4.443, P = 0.035) and cholinesterase (H=99.3, P=.0001). Sixteen nestling Bald Eagles were fitted with satellite platform transmitter terminal (PTT) or VHF radio transmitter package for a duration of six years (Chapter 3)= to identify their movement and dispersal. One of the 15 eagles migrated to North Carolina, whereas the other 14 (93%) confined their movements to Florida. Tracking duration per individual ranged from 82 to 1,531 days. We estimated first-year survival as 52% and 67% for the period from 1.5 to 3 years. Diamondback Terrapins (Chapter 4) were evaluated by an integrated assessment of physical, chemical, and physiological parameters. Extreme site fidelity of the turtles to mangrove habitat was evident along with a strong female biased sex ratio. There was a significant difference in the total number of individuals collected at the two sites (P =. 01) despite the total size and shorelines of the two sites being very nearly the same. Total recapture rate was 70% for combined population (TLK = 80% and CKW = 48%). We provide blood serum values and microbial cultures as baselines from these turtles in the wild.
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Date Issued
2014
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004217
Subject Headings
Bald eagle -- Habitat -- Conservation, Biogeography, Habitat (Ecology), Wildlife conservation -- Florida
Format
Document (PDF)
Resource use, competition, grazing behavior, and ecosystem invasion impacts of Pomacea maculata
Title
Resource use, competition, grazing behavior, and ecosystem invasion impacts of Pomacea maculata.
Creator
Monette, Dean J., Markwith, Scott, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description
Invasion of exotic species is a global threat to native species, biological diversity, and ecological restoration projects. Pomacea maculata is a macrophyte herbivore often misidentified with one of the world’s most invasive and destructive exotic snail, Pomacea canaliculata, but has a broader geographical distribution and climate tolerance, and greater egg production. This research examines whether the exotic P. maculata and native Pomacea paludosa occupy identical vegetation communities,...
Show moreInvasion of exotic species is a global threat to native species, biological diversity, and ecological restoration projects. Pomacea maculata is a macrophyte herbivore often misidentified with one of the world’s most invasive and destructive exotic snail, Pomacea canaliculata, but has a broader geographical distribution and climate tolerance, and greater egg production. This research examines whether the exotic P. maculata and native Pomacea paludosa occupy identical vegetation communities, mechanisms of interference competition, grazing impact differences on Vallisneria americana and to develop an exploratory agent based model. This model uses historical and present data to project how differences between species in life history and grazing patterns can potentially impact South Florida ecosystems. This model examined how P. maculate invasion of South Florida could affect two of the Central Everglades Planning Project’s main environmental restoration goals: function of key vegetative communities and conservation of endangered or threatened species.
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Date Issued
2014
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004309, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004309
Subject Headings
Competition (Biology), Ecosystem management -- Florida, Florida applesnail -- Ecology, Florida applesnail -- Environmental aspects, Florida applesnail -- Habitat, Pomacea maculata -- Florida, Wildlife conservation -- Florida
Format
Document (PDF)
Evaluation of fish populations and relative abundance within Pools A, B and C of the Kissimmee River: Possible responses to the Pool B demonstration project
Title
Evaluation of fish populations and relative abundance within Pools A, B and C of the Kissimmee River: Possible responses to the Pool B demonstration project.
Creator
Miller, Daniel E., Florida Atlantic University, Courtenay, Walter R. Jr.
Abstract/Description
Channelization of the Kissimmee River from 1962 to 1971 altered the natural hydrology of the river/floodplain system. Results of construction of the C-38 canal included loss of continuous flow of water and loss of floodplain habitat which adversely impacted the fish community. In 1984 the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) constructed the Pool B demonstration project to evaluate the feasibility of a planned restoration project. To evaluate success of the demonstration project in...
Show moreChannelization of the Kissimmee River from 1962 to 1971 altered the natural hydrology of the river/floodplain system. Results of construction of the C-38 canal included loss of continuous flow of water and loss of floodplain habitat which adversely impacted the fish community. In 1984 the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) constructed the Pool B demonstration project to evaluate the feasibility of a planned restoration project. To evaluate success of the demonstration project in enhancing the Pool B fish fauna, a hoop net sampling program was conducted in 1996. The data suggest that black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and other sport species in Pool B are benefiting from habitat enhancements resulting from the demonstration project. Additional analysis distinguishes black crappie as the only centrarchid sampled that maintains activity during nocturnal hours. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) were most active during May sampling when water temperatures were optimal for spawning.
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Date Issued
1997
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15456
Subject Headings
Fish habitat improvement--Florida--Kissimmee River, Fishes--Conservation--Florida--Kissimmee River, Fish populations--Florida--Kissimmee River--Measurement
Format
Document (PDF)
Reproductive success, territory size, and predation pressures of the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) at Savannas Preserve State Park
Title
Reproductive success, territory size, and predation pressures of the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) at Savannas Preserve State Park.
Creator
Cowan, Ernest M., Florida Atlantic University, Mahoney, Sheila A.
Abstract/Description
The Florida Scrub-jay is found only in the fire-dependent xeric oak communities of Florida. The number of scrub-jays statewide has been in steady decline over the past century due to the habitat loss resulting from urban development and the aging of xeric oak scrub caused by fire suppression policies. This study looks how aging of the scrub has affected scrub-jays at the Savannas Preserve State Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The population of scrub-jays at Savannas has been in decline over...
Show moreThe Florida Scrub-jay is found only in the fire-dependent xeric oak communities of Florida. The number of scrub-jays statewide has been in steady decline over the past century due to the habitat loss resulting from urban development and the aging of xeric oak scrub caused by fire suppression policies. This study looks how aging of the scrub has affected scrub-jays at the Savannas Preserve State Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The population of scrub-jays at Savannas has been in decline over the past eight years. This study revealed that they are occupying territories that are much smaller than the normal optimal size and are having minimal reproductive success. In addition, the birds are subjected to predation pressures from natural predators present at higher than normal densities and by other predators brought into their habitat by encroaching urban development. The implementation of an aggressive prescribed fire program to restore their habitat is crucial to the long-term survival of this population of Florida Scrub-jays.
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Date Issued
2005
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13204
Subject Headings
Florida scrub jay--Geographical distribution, Florida scrub jay--Reproduction, Bird populations--Florida, Birds--Effect of habitat modification on--Florida, Wildlife conservation--Florida
Format
Document (PDF)
Historical analysis of development and its impact on the ecology of the Grassy Waters Preserve
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.
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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)
Modeling Long-Term Changes, 1958-2011, In The Reproduction And Territory Dynamics Of Bald Eagles Of Florida Bay, Southern Coastal Everglades
Title
Modeling Long-Term Changes, 1958-2011, In The Reproduction And Territory Dynamics Of Bald Eagles Of Florida Bay, Southern Coastal Everglades.
Creator
Bosley, Jason W., Noonburg, Erik G., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
As top-level piscivores, Bald Eagles are a compelling subject for the study of territory dynamics and are highly representative of the distinctive suite of avian species that occupy Florida Bay. Despite successful recovery of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leuocephalus) throughout the species range, the population breeding within Florida Bay has not mirrored this trend. Beginning in the late 1980s, Florida Bay has suffered in its capacity to support species diversity and abundance as a result of...
Show moreAs top-level piscivores, Bald Eagles are a compelling subject for the study of territory dynamics and are highly representative of the distinctive suite of avian species that occupy Florida Bay. Despite successful recovery of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leuocephalus) throughout the species range, the population breeding within Florida Bay has not mirrored this trend. Beginning in the late 1980s, Florida Bay has suffered in its capacity to support species diversity and abundance as a result of extreme changes in hydrology related to altered flows of incoming freshwater. In fact, Bald Eagle territory use in Florida Bay has declined by as much as 43% as year to year variation and sensitivity to transitions between territory states have increased. Florida Bay’s populations of other large, conspicuous fish-eating birds, including Ospreys, Great White Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, and Reddish Egrets each exhibit a similar pattern of decline. The effects of environmental degradation throughout Florida Bay are magnified at higher trophic levels. The negative trend in territory occupancy is most pronounced in southeast Florida Bay whereas effects on territory occupancy in the northwest are minimal. The presence of spatial patterns in territory occupancy, despite regionally available breeding birds, suggests that individuals are evaluating differences in habitat quality for which certain territories are no longer considered viable. Building on our current understanding of the health of this population of Bald Eagles, we have successfully implemented modeling approaches that identify key territory breeding decisions. Loss of early breeding season activity (occupied and active territories) despite maintaining high breeding success indicates that changes in territory dynamics are the result of a failure to breed and not a reproductive failure. As such, future conservation actions should promote early breeding season activity (decisions by breeding pairs to initiate nesting) in areas of Florida Bay that were historically occupied but are now abandoned.
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Date Issued
2017
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004859, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004859
Subject Headings
Bald eagle--Everglades National Park--Florida Bay--Geographical distribution., Bald eagle--Breeding--Everglades National Park--Florida Bay., Bald eagle--Habitat--Everglades National Park--Florida Bay., Bird populations--Conservation--Florida.
Format
Document (PDF)