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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Assessing The Impact Of Oyster Reef And Living Shoreline Restoration On Macroinvertebrate Community Assemblages In Mosquito Lagoon, Florida, Adam Searles
Honors Undergraduate Theses
As the world continues to experience substantial rates of habitat loss, habitat restoration has become of prime interest to ecologists worldwide. Restoration has shown to be successful in recovering targeted components of certain ecosystems but it is important to achieve a holistic understanding of the resulting ecological impacts it has on communities. To address this, four oyster reefs and three living shorelines were restored during the summer of 2017. These sites, along with four dead oyster reefs, four living oyster reefs, and three undisturbed (control) living shorelines, were sampled before restoration and regularly post-restoration for one year using lift nets. …
Oyster Reef Restoration: Impacts On Infaunal Communities In A Shallow Water Estuary, Katherine P. Harris
Oyster Reef Restoration: Impacts On Infaunal Communities In A Shallow Water Estuary, Katherine P. Harris
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Oyster reefs are important estuarine ecosystems that provide habitat to many species including threatened and endangered wading birds and commercially important fishes and crabs. Infaunal organisms (i.e. small, aquatic animals that burrow in the sediment) are also supported by oyster reef habitats. Infaunal organisms are critical to marine food webs and are consumed by many important species that inhabit coastal estuaries. However, over the past century 85% of shellfish reef habitats have been lost, making restoration of these areas vital. Due to their important role in coastal food webs, infauna is hypothesized to be a strong indicator of habitat productivity …
Genetic Differentiation Among Florida Populations Of Diadema Antillarum, Luke M. Chandler
Genetic Differentiation Among Florida Populations Of Diadema Antillarum, Luke M. Chandler
Honors Undergraduate Theses
This project used molecular genetic markers (microsatellites) to determine the amount of genetic diversity within populations and whether significant differentiation exists among Florida populations of the long-spined sea urchin, Diadema antillarum. Specifically, this project aimed to (1) compare genetic diversity of D. antillarum from six populations in south Florida ranging from Biscayne Bay, the Florida Keys, and Dry Tortugas, and (2) determine whether two broodstock populations of D. antillarum contain variation indicative of native Florida populations. Together, these questions can address whether broodstock populations contain the genetic variation necessary to meet the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC’s) genetic …
Quantifying The Success Of Eastern Oyster Pilot Reefs In Brevard County, Florida, Lacie Anderson
Quantifying The Success Of Eastern Oyster Pilot Reefs In Brevard County, Florida, Lacie Anderson
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Crassostrea virginica, the eastern oyster, is a native keystone species that inhabits many coastal and estuarine ecosystems along the Atlantic seaboard. Introduction of the eastern oyster into estuarine areas with limited current populations is gaining popularity as a pro-active approach to improve estuarine water quality. In November 2014 and April 2015, a total of five pilot oyster reef treatments were deployed in Brevard County: bagged adult oysters (grown by community members under their docks through oyster gardening) collected in fall 2014 and spring 2015, bagged clean shell, oyster restoration mats, and empty plots (control). Locations of deployment included a …