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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Addressing Water Hyacinth (Pontederia Crassipes) Impacts On Aquatic Biota In Lake Okeechobee, Joseph Salerno Dec 2023

Addressing Water Hyacinth (Pontederia Crassipes) Impacts On Aquatic Biota In Lake Okeechobee, Joseph Salerno

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The incursion of water hyacinth, Pontederia crassipes in Lake Okeechobee has resulted in management systems to be implemented to reduce the coverage of the invasive macrophyte. Its residence in the Lake Okeechobee ecosystem and the effects it has on organisms in the lake, whether it be positive or harmful is unknown. This study attempted to assess the potential effects that water hyacinth has on aquatic biota in Lake Okeechobee. Biotic data were collected on open water, water hyacinth covered, and native vegetation covered habitats via hook-and-line fishing, electrofishing, baited minnow traps, and the sampling of plant roots over a thirteen-month …


Population Dynamics Of The Threatened Staghorn Coral, Acropora Cervicornis, And The Development Of A Species-Specific Monitoring Protocol, Elizabeth Goergen May 2018

Population Dynamics Of The Threatened Staghorn Coral, Acropora Cervicornis, And The Development Of A Species-Specific Monitoring Protocol, Elizabeth Goergen

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Historically, Acropora cervicornis was found in high densities on many Caribbean, Florida, and Gulf of Mexico reefs. A disease outbreak in the late 1970s and 80s caused up to 99% loss of A. cervicornis cover at some sites, leaving populations sparsely distributed throughout its range and typically found as isolated colonies. Even though populations are depauperate causing a decrease in sexual reproduction, its fast growth rate and ability to reproduce through asexual fragmentation affords this species the potential for quick recovery and population growth. However, limited to no natural recovery has been documented. Many of these populations are poorly studied …


Forecasting The Spread And Invasive Potential Of Apple Snails (Pomacea Spp.) In Florida, Stephanie A. Reilly Dec 2017

Forecasting The Spread And Invasive Potential Of Apple Snails (Pomacea Spp.) In Florida, Stephanie A. Reilly

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Forecasting the potential range of invasive species is a critical component for risk assessment, monitoring, and management. However, many of these invasive species are not yet at equilibrium which can be problematic for many modelling approaches. Using the climate matching method, MaxEnt, a series of species distribution models (SDMs) and risk analysis maps were created for select apple snail species in Florida: Pomacea canaliculata, P. diffusa, and P. maculata. Apple snails, freshwater gastropods in the family Ampullariidae, are native to South America and were introduced to the United States via the pet trade approximately 40 years ago. …


Trophic Ecology Of Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) From Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, David C. Roche Dec 2016

Trophic Ecology Of Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) From Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, David C. Roche

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Located 100 km west of Key West, Florida, Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO) is a largely untouched subtropical marine ecosystem that serves as an important developmental habitat, nesting ground, and foraging area for several species of sea turtles, including green turtles. The Park supports a recovering population of green turtles comprised of resident juveniles, subadults, and adults of both sexes; nesting females include residents and migrating females that only return to nest. Stable isotope analysis has been applied widely to describe the trophic ecology of green turtles, from urbanized bays with significant anthropogenic input, to relatively pristine ecosystems with healthy …


Reef Fish Spatial Distribution And Benthic Habitat Associations On The Southeast Florida Reef Tract, Dana Fisco Apr 2016

Reef Fish Spatial Distribution And Benthic Habitat Associations On The Southeast Florida Reef Tract, Dana Fisco

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The Florida Reef Tract (FRT) extends from the tropical Caribbean up the southeast coast of Florida into a temperate environment where tropical reef assemblages diminish with increasing latitude. This study used data from a three-year comprehensive fishery-independent survey to quantify reef fish spatial distribution along the Southeast FRT and define where the assemblage shifts from tropical to temperate. A total of 1,676 reef fish visual census samples were conducted to assess the populations on a stratified-random selection of sites of marine hardbottom habitats between the Miami River and St. Lucie inlet. Multivariate analyses were used to investigate differences in assemblages …


Feeding Ecology Of The Invasive Lionfish (Pterois Spp.) And Comparison With Two Native Species: Schoolmaster Lutjanus Apodus (Walbaum, 1792) And Graysby Cephalopholis Cruentata (Lacepède, 1802), Jesse J. Secord Dec 2015

Feeding Ecology Of The Invasive Lionfish (Pterois Spp.) And Comparison With Two Native Species: Schoolmaster Lutjanus Apodus (Walbaum, 1792) And Graysby Cephalopholis Cruentata (Lacepède, 1802), Jesse J. Secord

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Predator satiation and prey-size preference were determined for locally caught lionfish, schoolmaster, and graysby, all co-occurring predatory fishes in the Florida coral reef ecosystem. Individuals were evaluated by exposing them to wild-caught killifish over a gradient of four size classes (20 mm to 60 mm, in 10 mm increments). Preference trials extended over a 2 hr time period and were filmed to determine the order in which each prey item was consumed. Satiation was evaluated by exposing the predators to an equal number of excess prey items for 24 hrs and evaluating consumed prey weight. Lionfish and schoolmaster showed a …


Spring 2014, Nsu Oceanographic Center Jan 2014

Spring 2014, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Fall 2014, Nsu Oceanographic Center Jan 2014

Fall 2014, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Winter 2012, Nsu Oceanographic Center Jan 2012

Winter 2012, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Fall 2012, Nsu Oceanographic Center Jan 2012

Fall 2012, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Spring 2011, Nsu Oceanographic Center Jan 2011

Spring 2011, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Fall 2010, Nsu Oceanographic Center Jan 2010

Fall 2010, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Winter 2010, Nsu Oceanographic Center Jan 2010

Winter 2010, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Summer/Fall 2009, Nsu Oceanographic Center Aug 2009

Summer/Fall 2009, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Spring 2009, Nsu Oceanographic Center Apr 2009

Spring 2009, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Winter 2009, Nsu Oceanographic Center Jan 2009

Winter 2009, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Fall 2008, Nsu Oceanographic Center Oct 2008

Fall 2008, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Summer 2008, Nsu Oceanographic Center Aug 2008

Summer 2008, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Spring 2008, Nsu Oceanographic Center Apr 2008

Spring 2008, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Winter 2008, Nsu Oceanographic Center Jan 2008

Winter 2008, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Summer/Fall 2007, Nsu Oceanographic Center Sep 2007

Summer/Fall 2007, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Spring 2007, Nsu Oceanographic Center Apr 2007

Spring 2007, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Winter 2007, Nsu Oceanographic Center Jan 2007

Winter 2007, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Fall 2006, Nsu Oceanographic Center Oct 2006

Fall 2006, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Summer 2006, Nsu Oceanographic Center Aug 2006

Summer 2006, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Spring 2006, Nsu Oceanographic Center Apr 2006

Spring 2006, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Winter 2006, Nsu Oceanographic Center Jan 2006

Winter 2006, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Fall 2005, Nsu Oceanographic Center Oct 2005

Fall 2005, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Summer 2005, Nsu Oceanographic Center Aug 2005

Summer 2005, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.


Spring 2005, Nsu Oceanographic Center Apr 2005

Spring 2005, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.