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Passive acoustics as a monitoring tool for evaluating oyster reef restoration
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)
Characterization of symbiotic algae, genus Symbiodinium, in corals at St. Lucie reef, Florida
Title
Characterization of symbiotic algae, genus Symbiodinium, in corals at St. Lucie reef, Florida.
Creator
Klepac, Courtney, Voss, Joshua, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
The unique coral reef at St. Lucie Reef (Stuart, FL) persists despite environmental variability from extensive freshwater discharges, summer upwelling, and thermal instability. By examining the symbiotic zooxanthellae, or Symbiodinium, that reside in corals, we can gain insight to coral physiology impacted by local stressors. Two scleractinian corals, Montastraea cavernosa and Pseudodiploria clivosa were sampled over 1.5 years, including both wet and dry seasons. Zooxanthellae were isolated...
Show moreThe unique coral reef at St. Lucie Reef (Stuart, FL) persists despite environmental variability from extensive freshwater discharges, summer upwelling, and thermal instability. By examining the symbiotic zooxanthellae, or Symbiodinium, that reside in corals, we can gain insight to coral physiology impacted by local stressors. Two scleractinian corals, Montastraea cavernosa and Pseudodiploria clivosa were sampled over 1.5 years, including both wet and dry seasons. Zooxanthellae were isolated and quantitatively characterized using standard measurements and molecular techniques. Both coral species varied in zooxanthellae biomass, where Pseudodiploria clivosa had Higher cell densities and chlorophyll concentrations than Montastraea cavernosa. Over time, these parameters varied, but were not significantly altered by fresh water discharge events. Symbiodinium diversity and abundance were identified by ITS2 region amplification and next-generation sequencing .Novel associations between Symbiodinium and each coral explained the observed physiological differences. The symbioses remained stable throughout and could indicate local adaptation for St. Lucie Reef corals.
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Date Issued
2014
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004211
Subject Headings
Adaptation (Biology), Coral reef biology, Coral reef ecology, Marine chemical ecology, St. Lucie Reef (Stuart, Fla.) -- Environmental aspects, St. Lucie River Estuary (Fla.) -- Environmental aspects
Format
Document (PDF)