Current Search: Honors Student Theses (x) » Ecology (x) » Fishes (x)
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- 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
- 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)