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- Title
- Anurans of Abacoa.
- Creator
- Vuong, Wei Mien., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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The construction of Abacoa included an attempt to conserve the wildlife in a Greenway, a set of habitats separated from the residential and commercial areas. All of the wetlandswith in Abacoa represent artificially constructed ponds, canals, and streams first created from 1998-2004. The present study focuses on the anuran (i.e., frog and toad) populations and looks at the number of different species that have naturally colonized six differnet sites around Abacoa. Each of these sites varies in...
Show moreThe construction of Abacoa included an attempt to conserve the wildlife in a Greenway, a set of habitats separated from the residential and commercial areas. All of the wetlandswith in Abacoa represent artificially constructed ponds, canals, and streams first created from 1998-2004. The present study focuses on the anuran (i.e., frog and toad) populations and looks at the number of different species that have naturally colonized six differnet sites around Abacoa. Each of these sites varies in qualities that may affect the probability of breeding in that section. The quality of water is known to be less ideal as the water flows away from the headwaters and mixes with water from other sources. This study aims to determine which anuran species are found at each of these sites after nearly a decade of colonization, and how both anuran diversity and abundance correlates with water and habitat quality.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359327
- Subject Headings
- Wildlife conservation, Amphibian populations, Restoration ecology, Anura, Habitat, Amphibians, Ecology, Amphibians, Conservation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Avifauna in a suburban environment.
- Creator
- Blair, Courtney., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Habitat fragmentation causes the isolation of groups of individuals within species by producing a new landscape that is uninhabitable for many species, including birds. I surveyed the John D. MacArthur campus of FAU in the Fall of 2005 and Spring of 2006 to assess the use of the campus by birds. Throughout the campus trees are lined in rows along the sidewalks and around buildings, in contrast to the pine flatwoods environment that existed prior to development. The birds observed were found...
Show moreHabitat fragmentation causes the isolation of groups of individuals within species by producing a new landscape that is uninhabitable for many species, including birds. I surveyed the John D. MacArthur campus of FAU in the Fall of 2005 and Spring of 2006 to assess the use of the campus by birds. Throughout the campus trees are lined in rows along the sidewalks and around buildings, in contrast to the pine flatwoods environment that existed prior to development. The birds observed were found performing various activities on the campus, including foraging, perching, and building nests. Individuals were concentrated around or near buildings with the most diverse vegetation. Through assessing these campus uses I suggest that there are ways we can help increase bird diversity in promoting their use of urban environments. Such solutions can help decrease the number of individuals and species lost to the destructive force of habitat fragmentation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/40269
- Subject Headings
- Birds, Ecology, Wildlife management, Birds, Habitat
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Declining coral health and fish diversity in the South Pacific.
- Creator
- McCurdy, Paul., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Coral reefs harbor ~1-9 million species, including 30% of all marine fish species. Reef health worldwide is declining due to many factors: e.g. pollution, sedimentation, dynamite fishing, and global warming. Working with the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation and the crew aboard the R/V Heraclitus, I examined coral health and fish diversity in the Solomon Islands, Melanesia. In 2006, I surveyed coral and fish on Sagharughombe reef, Solomon Islands using SCUBA and compared the results with...
Show moreCoral reefs harbor ~1-9 million species, including 30% of all marine fish species. Reef health worldwide is declining due to many factors: e.g. pollution, sedimentation, dynamite fishing, and global warming. Working with the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation and the crew aboard the R/V Heraclitus, I examined coral health and fish diversity in the Solomon Islands, Melanesia. In 2006, I surveyed coral and fish on Sagharughombe reef, Solomon Islands using SCUBA and compared the results with surveys done in 2000 and 2002. Coral surveys indicated a significant decline in health over the six-year period. Fish surveys found no clear trend in species abundances and species richness, but a significant decline in species diversity over the years. The decline in coral health we observed may have contributed to diminished fish diversity. To protect marine biodiversity, coral reefs must be better protected and declines in coral health must be halted.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/11615
- Subject Headings
- Coral reef ecology, Fishes, Ecology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Effects of prescribed burning on native and exotic herpetofauna in Florida pine flatwoods in Savannas Preserve State Park.
- Creator
- Goethel, Carrie Ann., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Florida's pine flatwoods are pyrogenic ecosystems that require frequent fires to regenerate the herbaceous layer and suppress crowding vegetation. Human development has hindered these natural fires and consequently affected the herpetofauna (amphibian and reptile) species. Anthropogenic encroachment, in addition to fire suppression, has also provided ideal habitats for invasive species within native environments. Exotic species are often found in developed areas around buildings and roads,...
Show moreFlorida's pine flatwoods are pyrogenic ecosystems that require frequent fires to regenerate the herbaceous layer and suppress crowding vegetation. Human development has hindered these natural fires and consequently affected the herpetofauna (amphibian and reptile) species. Anthropogenic encroachment, in addition to fire suppression, has also provided ideal habitats for invasive species within native environments. Exotic species are often found in developed areas around buildings and roads, and it is likely this pattern continues into the park. This eight-month coverboard survey focuses on the effects various fires may have on herpetofauna in the area and explores the level of intrusion exotic species exhibit within the communities. Minimal differences among herpetofauna composition between transects were found. However, a convincing percentage of exotic species were found only within the first ten meters of the transects while all native species were at least 25 meters into a transect.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/11611
- Subject Headings
- Prescribed burning, Environmental aspects, Reptiles, Habitat, Scrub pine, Ecology, Savannas Preserve State Park (Fla.), Wildlife conservation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The effects of reduction mowing on gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus).
- Creator
- Del Signore, Vincent., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is endemic to the Southeast United States, where its populations are declining primarily due to habitat loss. Gopher tortoises prefer habitats with open sunny spots for nesting and basking. Fire is a normal element in gopher tortoise habitat, and when natural fires are suppressed, habitats may become too overgrown. To maintain the open spaces, some land managers use reduction mowing of vegetation. I studied gopher tortoises in the Abacoa Greenway...
Show moreThe gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is endemic to the Southeast United States, where its populations are declining primarily due to habitat loss. Gopher tortoises prefer habitats with open sunny spots for nesting and basking. Fire is a normal element in gopher tortoise habitat, and when natural fires are suppressed, habitats may become too overgrown. To maintain the open spaces, some land managers use reduction mowing of vegetation. I studied gopher tortoises in the Abacoa Greenway reserve, established to protect the tortoises in a residential area of Jupiter, Florida, and I examined how reduction mowing influences tortoise activity. I evaluated the distribution of burrows throughout the study site by flagging the burrows both before and after extensive reduction mowing took place in the greenway. Statistical comparison between new burrows found within the interior as compared to the periphery both before and after the mowing reveal a significant relationship between both variables. These results suggest that the tortoises utilize newly mowed areas as preferred substrate for new burrows.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/40270
- Subject Headings
- Gopher tortoise, Ecology, Greenways, Niche (Ecology), Adaptation (Biology), Environmental impact analysis, Prescribed burning
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Fishes of Savannas Preserve State Park.
- Creator
- McKee, Kristy., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Freshwater marshes are a harsh wetland ecosystem classified by seasonal water level fluctuation. Dry down periods are common in some marshes, making life difficult for fish and other aquatic organisms. The goal of this study was to compile an updated species list of fishes inhabiting the freshwater marsh system within Savannas Preserve State Park. Twenty-three fish species were collected between August 2005 and May 2007. This survey, along with past collections, and the current species list...
Show moreFreshwater marshes are a harsh wetland ecosystem classified by seasonal water level fluctuation. Dry down periods are common in some marshes, making life difficult for fish and other aquatic organisms. The goal of this study was to compile an updated species list of fishes inhabiting the freshwater marsh system within Savannas Preserve State Park. Twenty-three fish species were collected between August 2005 and May 2007. This survey, along with past collections, and the current species list in the park's management plan were used to make a new proposed species list. Three species of nonnative fishes were observed during the study, the first report of exotic fishes in the park. It is believed that abnormally high water levels for an extended period may have allowed the water in neighboring canals to connect to the marsh system and, as a result, new species were able become introduced in the park.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/40970
- Subject Headings
- Savannas Preserve State Park (Fla.), Ecology, Fishes, Identification, Population biology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Fishes of the New England Seamounts.
- Creator
- Canache, Christian., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Prior to 2000, very little was known about fish biodiversity on the New England Seamount chain. In late 2000, 115 fish species were found on Bear Seamount by the NOAA R/V "Delaware II." Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution conducted two cruises to explore the New England Seamount chain in 2003. This study assessed fish species throughout Alvin submersible dives during these 2003 cruises. Digital video footage was converted to still photographs and video clips using the Macintosh movie program...
Show morePrior to 2000, very little was known about fish biodiversity on the New England Seamount chain. In late 2000, 115 fish species were found on Bear Seamount by the NOAA R/V "Delaware II." Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution conducted two cruises to explore the New England Seamount chain in 2003. This study assessed fish species throughout Alvin submersible dives during these 2003 cruises. Digital video footage was converted to still photographs and video clips using the Macintosh movie program iMovie. Fishes were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level using keys and literature. The habitat, depth and behavior of observed fishes were compared to the literature available. Geographical distributions of the species were considered. I assessed substrate preference by building a chart that reflects the different sediment regimes that fishes were found on. In all I identified 317 individuals representing 33 different taxa, including two species with new habitat range information Neocyttus helgae and Lepidion sp.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/41003
- Subject Headings
- Seamounts, Ecology, Biodiversity conservation, Fishes, Conservation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An introduction to the Abacoa Greenway.
- Creator
- Blubaugh, Carmen., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Greenways are corridors of relatively intact natural vegetation through otherwise disturbed habitat that typically connect larger protected natural areas. The establishment of greenway systems throughout the United States is a testament to the increasing recognition of the necessity to incorporate wild areas within urban and other disturbed landscapes for the sake of biological sustainability and the emotional welfare of human residents. In my thesis, I examine a local greenway in Jupiter,...
Show moreGreenways are corridors of relatively intact natural vegetation through otherwise disturbed habitat that typically connect larger protected natural areas. The establishment of greenway systems throughout the United States is a testament to the increasing recognition of the necessity to incorporate wild areas within urban and other disturbed landscapes for the sake of biological sustainability and the emotional welfare of human residents. In my thesis, I examine a local greenway in Jupiter, Florida, the Abacoa Greenway, which is both product and component of the greenway movement, a recent and revolutionary phenomenon in urban planning. I evaluate the greenway's ecology, the specific functions it serves, and its significance within the broader realm of environmental ethics. The primary protected habitats are a mixture of scrubby pine flatwoods and shallow wetland basins. The flatwoods provide important habitats for numerous native species, including the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) and the many commensal species that live in the tortoises' burrows. The shallow wetland basins also serve a number of purposes, including a surface water management system. As a whole, the greenway is an important resource for human recreation and environmental education, including scholarly research by students and faculty at Florida Atlantic University. It serves as important link between people and nature in an urban setting where they might otherwise be completely estranged.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/11594
- Subject Headings
- Greenways, Biological diversity conservation, Government policy, Nature conservation, Government policy, Ecology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- It's not easy being brownish-green.
- Creator
- Ross, Benjamin J., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Sorites dominicensis is a common epiphytic foraminifera living throughout the Carribean and South Florida, and is commonly found living on turtle grass, Thalassia Testudinum. S. dominicensis plays host to algal symbionts related to those found in coral. Estimates for the numbers in these symbiotic populations are few, of limited scale, and vary widely. In this thesis we performed a large scale survey of the populations of algal symbionts living within the S. dominicensis population of Jupiter...
Show moreSorites dominicensis is a common epiphytic foraminifera living throughout the Carribean and South Florida, and is commonly found living on turtle grass, Thalassia Testudinum. S. dominicensis plays host to algal symbionts related to those found in coral. Estimates for the numbers in these symbiotic populations are few, of limited scale, and vary widely. In this thesis we performed a large scale survey of the populations of algal symbionts living within the S. dominicensis population of Jupiter Sound. We then used this data to propose a linear model for the relationship between foraminiferal size and endosymbiont population, and to suggest explanations for the variability seen in the Jupiter Sound population.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/77684
- Subject Headings
- Algae, Ecology, Endosymbiosis, Marine ecology, Molecular evolution
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Observations of immature sea turtles at a nearshore hardbottom developmental habitat in Palm Beach, Florida.
- Creator
- Garrido, Katharine., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Nearshore sabellariid worm rock reefs tracts along Florida's east cost provide developmental habitat for many juvenile green turtles.
- Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/41004
- Subject Headings
- Sea turtles, Ecology, Adaptation (Biology), Wildlife conservation
- Format
- Document (PDF)