Life Sciences Commons^™

Plant Distribution And Succession Within Interdunal Depressions On A Virginia Barrier Dune System, Robert Wayne Tyndall

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A unique series of interdunal depressions was recognized on the barrier dune system of southeastern Virginia. Plant distribution and succession, and environmental factors controlling them, were studied in the series. Plant community distribution appears to be predominantly controlled by soil moisture, interspecific competition, and feral hog disturbance. Both biotic and physiographic succession are apparent with Quercus virginiana probably climax for both. Salt spray and feral hog and migratory waterfowl activity are important controlling factors of plant succession. Results indicate that the zonal appearance of shrubs and trees on the Virginia and North Carolina coasts is due to the absence of …

A Seasonal Study Of Phytoplankton Composition Abundance And Productivity In Back Bay, Virginia, Robert Ringgold Comegys

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Phytoplankton samples were collected monthly (August 1974-June 1975) at two stations in the Back Bay system of southeastern Virginia. Measurements of phytoplankton productivity and potentially influencing environmental parameters (water and air temperature, turbidity, depth, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen) accompanied sample collections. A total of 106 phytoplankton species, representing six algal divisions and 54 genera were identified. Cyanophyta species were dominant at both stations in the warmer months of August, September, October, and June, and in April at one station only. In all remaining months, Chlorophyta species were dominant, indicating a seasonal shift in phytoplankton composition during winter and spring. The …

Feeding Ecology Of Black Sea Bass Centropristis Striata On An Artificial Reef Off Virginia (Perciforms: Serranidae), Ping K. Chee

OES Theses and Dissertations

The feeding ecology of the black sea bass, Centropristis striata, associated with artificial reefs shows seasonal and size-related changes. Monthly collections totaling 520 black sea bass taken from an artificial reef near the Chesapeake Light Tower, Virginia, between August 1975 and May 1976, were analyzed for food habits as revealed by number, volume, frequency of occurrence and a modified Index of Relative Importance.

The black sea bass feeds on the artificial reef as well as the adjacent areas. When food was abundant on the reef, food items from the reef and the surrounding area were consumed. Upon depletion of the …