Indirect Effects of Freshwater Discharges on Seagrass Beds in Southwest Florida
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1 Indirect effects of freshwater discharges on seagrass beds in Southwest Florida: Mesograzers as mediators of epiphyte growth? A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences Florida Gulf Coast University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science By Thomas J. Behlmer Jr. 2016 2 APPROVAL SHEET This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Thomas J. Behlmer Jr. Approved: August 26, 2016 James Douglass, Ph. D. Committee Chair/ Advisor Edwin M. Everham III, Ph. D. Serge Thomas, Ph. D. The final copy of this thesis [dissertation] has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in the above mentioned discipline. 3 Acknowledgments I owe an immense amount of gratitude to my committee members Dr. James Douglass, Dr. Edwin Everham, and Dr. Serge Thomas for their help with this research over the past two years. I would especially like to thank my advisor Dr. James Douglass for his continual support and encouragement throughout this time, in addition to all of the time spent on our many discussions. I would also like to thank Dr. Edwin Everham and Dr. Serge Thomas for their guidance and vast knowledge of disturbance and aquatic ecology. Thank you to the Southern Association of Marine Laboratories, Florida Gulf Coast University Graduate Studies Program, Coastal Watershed Institute, South Florida Water Management District, and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation for their logistical and financial support towards this research. I would like to thank all of the members of the Douglass Lab including: Mackensea Larson, Roberto Pozzi, Julian von Kanel, William Mastandrea, Serina Sebilian, Christina Kennedy, and Lisa Rickards. Your help with species identification, data collection, and data input is greatly appreciated. Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for their love and support during my time at Florida Gulf Coast University. 4 Abstract Seagrass beds in the Caloosahatchee Estuary have declined with increased human development in the watershed, which has altered the timing and volume of freshwater and nutrient inputs. Overgrowth of epiphytic algae may contribute to seagrass declines. Small invertebrate grazers (mesograzers) are thought to aid seagrass through removal of excess epiphytes. The goal of this study is to look at the indirect impacts of freshwater releases on seagrass health in the CRE, as mediated by increased nutrients and reduced mesograzer abundance and diversity. To do this we recorded seagrass abundance, epiphyte levels, and mesograzer abundance bimonthly for two years at two sites in the Caloosahatchee Estuary. We then compared these responses to seasonal and site variations in salinity related to freshwater discharges. Seagrass was most abundant at the highest salinity site and during the summer months. Epiphyte levels did not exhibit a clear seasonal or salinity-related pattern but showed interesting correlations with mesograzer abundance. Mesograzer species richness was positively correlated with salinity at all sites. Multivariate data analysis found a clear separation between sites, except during the wet season of 2013, where grazer community structure was heavily impacted at both sites. Because prior studies have demonstrated a link between mesograzer richness and epiphyte grazing efficacy, we propose that reductions in mesograzer diversity by high freshwater discharge events could exacerbate problems of epiphyte overgrowth. Understanding these impacts can aid in improving water management plans for the Caloosahatchee Estuary in order to protect its valuable seagrass beds. 5 Table of Contents Table of Contents Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................... 3 Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 5 List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. 7 List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. 9 Chapter 1: Introduction and background ...................................................................................... 10 Estuarine Ecology ...................................................................................................................... 10 Seagrass Ecosystems ................................................................................................................. 10 Seagrasses in peril ..................................................................................................................... 14 Current status of the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary ........................................................... 16 Multiple Stressor Effect Model ................................................................................................. 18 Research Objectives .................................................................................................................. 20 Chapter 2: Methods ....................................................................................................................... 24 Study Sites ................................................................................................................................. 24 Seagrass Surveys ....................................................................................................................... 27 Mesograzer Collection ............................................................................................................... 35 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 40 Chapter 3: Site Characterization ................................................................................................... 42 Abiotic Factors .......................................................................................................................... 42 Salinity ................................................................................................................................... 42 Flow ........................................................................................................................................ 45 Biotic Factors ............................................................................................................................. 47 Seagrass .................................................................................................................................. 47 Macroalgae ............................................................................................................................. 53 Epiphytes ................................................................................................................................ 55 Mesograzers ........................................................................................................................... 61 Chapter 4: Abiotic Influences on Seagrass Community Structure ............................................... 68 Methods Overview .................................................................................................................... 68 Temporal Relationships ............................................................................................................. 68 Multivariate Analyses of Community Structure ........................................................................ 77 Site 6 ....................................................................................................................................... 81 Site 8 ....................................................................................................................................... 83 6 Drivers of changes in community composition ......................................................................... 85 Site 6 ....................................................................................................................................... 85 Site 8 ....................................................................................................................................... 85 Chapter 5: Discussion ................................................................................................................... 87 References ..................................................................................................................................... 96 7 List of Figures Figure 1.1 Remane Diagram………………………………………………………….…………12 Figure 1.2 Map of Caloosahatchee River and Estuary…………………………………………..17 Figure 1.3 Average seagrass coverage for lower CRE 2004-2013……………………………...21 Figure 1.4 Average seagrass coverage for middle CRE 2004-2013…………………………….22 Figure 1.5 Conceptual model of freshwater discharge within a seagrass community…………..23 Figure 2.1 Submerged aquatic vegetation habitats in CRE map………………………………...25 Figure 2.2 Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation monitoring stations map………………..26 Figure 2.3 Example quadrat……………………………………………………………………..30 Figure 2.4 Quadrat distribution