2017 Big Bend Science Symposium Committee
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Amy Schwarzer Peninsular Florida Landscape Conservation Cooperative Beth Stys
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Jamie Letendre
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge Larry Woodward
UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station Mike Allen
UF/IFAS Environmental Horticultural Carrie Adams-Reinhardt
U.S. Geological Survey Gary Mahon
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
2017 Big Bend Science Symposium Schedule at a Glance Wednesday, February 1 8:30 am Registration 9:45 am Introduction and Acknowledgements 10:00 am Scheduled Talks 12:00 pm Lunch 1:00 pm Scheduled Talks 2:15 pm Break 2:30 pm Scheduled Talks 3:30 pm Break 3:45 pm Scheduled Talks 5:00 -7:00 pm Clam Bake/Table Talks Thursday, February 2 8:45 am Welcome & Opening Remarks - Dr. Jack Payne, 9:00 am Keynote Speaker – Felicia Coleman 10:00 am Scheduled Talks 11:00 am Break 11:15 am Scheduled Talks 12:15 pm Lunch 1:15 pm Scheduled Talks 2:15 pm Break 2:30 – 4:30pm Scheduled Talks
5:00 – 7:00 pm Poster Social – 83 West* 310 Dock Street, Cedar Key, Florida 32625
*Walking distance is 10 to 15 minutes from Community Center to 83 West Golf cart transportation from community members may be available
Friday, February 3 High School Event
10:00 am Welcome and Introductions 10:15 am Career Talks 11:00 pm Poster Mix and Mingle 12:00 pm Lunch Provided 1:00 pm Conclude
Wednesday, February 1st, 2017 Time Title Authors 8:30 am Registration
9:45 am Introduction and Acknowledgments Mike Allen
Details on the Range Expansion of Shannan McAskill, Caleb 10:00 am Common Snook, Centropomus Purtlebaugh & David Crain undecimalis, in Cedar Key, Florida
Testing the predictive power of mollusk life and death assemblages Alexander C. Hyman, 10:15 am in determining distributional Thomas K. Frazer & Michal patterns of seagrass habitats along Kowalewski Florida’s Gulf Coast
Otolith radiocarbon verifies age Beverly K. Barnett, William F. 10:30 am estimates in long-lived reef fishes Patterson & Allen H. Andrews along the West Florida shelf
Climate change-mediated shifting 10:45 am species ranges and the ecology of Kathleen Kaiser an at-risk endemic sponge
Identifying catch assemblages in the Nicholas Ducharme-Barth & 11:00 am commercial vertical line reef fishery: Robert Ahrens A focus on the Big Bend Region
History & Forestry on the Lower 11:15 am Daniel Barrand Suwannee NWR Lisa Davenport, Torbjørn Mapping Avian Flyways in South Haugaasen, João Vitor America with Satellite Telemetry: 11:30 am Campos E Silva, Whaldener State of Knowledge and Future Endo, Carlos Peres & Directions Katharine Goodenough
Does Sexually Dimorphic Growth Justin Procopio, Grant 11:45 am Influence the Harvest Regulation Scholten, and Micheal S. Choice for Spotted Seatrout? Allen
12:00 pm Lunch
Updates and Future Priorities for the 1:00 pm UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Micheal Allen Station
Training future stewards: terrapin Benjamin K. Atkinson, 1:15 pm research in the Cedar Keys National Coleman M. Sheehy III Wildlife Refuge
Freshwater detention by oyster David A. Kaplan, Maitane 1:30 pm reefs: quantifying a keystone Olabarrieta, Peter Frederick & ecosystem service Arnoldo Valle-Levinson
Manatee movements and habitat using along the northern Gulf of James Reid, Susan Butler & 1:45 pm Mexico and Florida’s Big Bend Daniel Slone Coast
Kristen A. Dahl, William F. Invasive lionfish trends, impacts, Patterson III, Alison 2:00 pm and potential mitigation in the Robertson, Alice C. Ortmann, northern Gulf of Mexico Richard A. Snyder, David S. Portnoy & J. Derek Hogan
2:15 pm Break
Fire Management on the Lower 2:30 pm Suwannee NWR: Burning for Vic Doig Critters!
Resident foraging areas for Kristen M. Hart, Margaret M. 2:45 pm loggerhead sea turtles in the Big Lamont, Autumn Iverson & Bend region of Florida, USA Ikuko Fujisaki
Can southeastern salt marshes rebound from feral hog disturbance? Distribution, patterns Sean J Sharp & Christine 3:00 pm and impacts of feral hog activity and Angelini consequences to vegetation recovery
Biotic and abiotic controls on the Amy Langston, David Kaplan 3:15 pm northern range expansion of black & Christine Angelini mangrove (Avicennia germinans)
3:30 pm Break
Seasonal patterns of reproduction in 3:45 pm H. Jane Brockman Florida horseshoe crabs
Inferring aspects of small demersal Gracie Barnes, William F. reef fish ecology on the West Florida 4:00 pm Patterson III & Beverly K. Shelf with stable and radio isotope Barnett analysis
Defining Landscape-Scale Todd E. Hopkins, Beth Stys & 4:15 pm Conservation Targets for Florida Steve Traxler
University of Florida Marine Mammal Michael Walsh, Mackenzie 4:30 pm Stranding Network (Nature Coast Russell, Stefanie Gazda & Marine Animal Response Team) Craig Pelton
Clam Bake Table Talks
Friends of the Lower Suwannee Refuge Florida Public Archaeology Network Dr. Mark Clark – “Living Shorelines in the Nature Coast” 5:00 pm – Dr. Carrie Reinhardt-Adams – “Key plants of Nature Coast Marshes” 7:00 pm Nature Coast Conservancy’s Allan Pither – “Saving Special Places” FWC’s Hannah Healey – Sport Fish Restoration Education Table UF Vet School – Nature Coast Stranding Team UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station Helen Scott - Wet Ventures Learning Lab Colette Jacono - UF Herbarium, Florida Museum of Natural History “Plants of the Cedar Keys and Nature Coast”
Thursday, February 2nd, 2017
Time Title Authors
8:45 am Welcome & Opening Remarks Dr. Jack Payne
Keynote Presentation: The Curse of 9:00 am Felicia Coleman Too Much Knowledge
Peter Frederick, David The Ecological Importance and Kaplan, Bill Pine, Leslie 10:00 am Restoration of Offshore Oyster Reef Sturmer, Maitane Olabarrietta Chains in the Big Bend of Florida. & Arnoldo Valle-Levinson
Policy choices as planned experiments – opportunity for 10:30 am William E. Pine III learning lost or found in the Nature Coast?
11:00 am Break
FLORIDA’S BIG BEND area as one of five national conservation focal 11:15 am Andrew Gude areas of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
An ecosystem-based approach to David Chagaris, Mike Allen & 11:30 am evaluating impacts and management Will Patterson of invasive lionfish
Do patterns in spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) recruitment suggest common density- Erin C. Bohaboy & William F. 11:45 am independent drivers of recruitment Patterson III variability among Northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries?
Gisselle E. Guerra, Manuel Prediction of saltwater intrusion in Díez-Minguito, Miguel Á. 12:00 pm the Suwannee River with a Markov- Reyes-Merlo & Arnoldo Valle- chain model Levinson
12:15 pm Lunch
Richards Island Fish Trap: An 1:15 pm Update on Efforts to Document Its Kenneth Sassaman Age, Construction, and Use
Evaluating circle hook performance when targeting reef fishes in the Steven B. Garner, William F. 1:30 pm northern Gulf of Mexico with Patterson III & Clay E. Porch implications for red snapper management
Catch-and-Release Mortality of Grant Scholten, Mike Allen & 1:45 pm Spotted Seatrout Rob Ahrens
Initiating a Marine and Coastal Keith Kolasa & Brittany Hall- 2:00 pm Resource Program within Hernando Scharf County, Florida’s Adventure Coast
2:15 pm Break
Multiple stressors and synergistic Sinead Crotty, Mark Bertness 2:45 pm loss of New England salt marsh & Christine Angelini ecosystems
Policy, Planning and Permitting for 3:00 pm Long Term, Large Area Coastal, Tom Ankersen Estuarine and Marine Restoration
A computational approach to explore multiple simultaneous Geraldine Klarenberg, Rob 3:15 pm impacts on recruitment and Ahrens & Mike Allen mortality in fish populations
Justin P. Lewis, William F. Applications of vertebral chemistry Patterson III, John K. Carlson, 3:30 pm to study the ecology of coastal Rachel M. Scharer, Gregg R. elasmobranchs Poulakis & Alan E. Koenig
Effects of Deepwater Horizon oil Charles W. Martin, Lauris O. 3:45 pm exposure on growth and herbivory Hollis, Erick M. Swenson & of submerged vegetation Eugene Turner
Do Scars Hurt? Boater Attitudes Savanna C. Barry, Karissa 4:00 pm toward Seagrasses and Propeller Raymond, Joy E. Hazell & Scarring in the Nature Coast Paul F. Monaghan
How has the Abandonment of Mark R. Sandfoss, Coleman Seahorse Key as a Rookery for 4:15 pm M. Sheehy III & Harvey B. Waterbirds Affected Insular Lillywhite Cottonmouth Snakes? See Poster Titles, Authors Poster Social - 83 West, 310 Dock 5:00 PM and Abstracts beginning on Street, Cedar Key, Florida 32625 page 22
Friday, February 3rd, 2017 Big Bend Science Symposium High School Edition
10:00 AM Welcome and Introductions Michael Allen
Various agency representatives will share 10:15 AM Career Talks their experiences with the student guests
11:00 AM Poster Mix and Mingle
• Poster Presenters: Please consider staying to share your science with Junior and Senior High School Students from the Nature Coast during the Poster Mix and Mingle
Big Bend Science Symposium 2017 Schedule of Talks
Wednesday, February 1st, 2017 10:00 AM Details on the Range Expansion of Common Snook, Centropomus undecimalis, in Cedar Key, Florida By: Shannon McAskill Abstract: The Common Snook, Centropomus undecimalis, is an ecologically and economically important species commonly found throughout South Florida to Southern Brazil. The species is a popular sport fish among many anglers due to its aggressive fighting behavior and culinary value. Water temperature plays a dominant role in the species survival and distribution. It is generally accepted that the true northern range of Common Snook is limited by the 15 °C winter isotherm. Sudden or sustained exposure to temperatures <15 °C can result in lethargic behavior, reduced feeding and ultimately death. Common Snook in the Gulf of Mexico are commonly found south of 28°N latitudinal line. This falls just south of Cedar Key, Florida (29° 8′ 44″ N). The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program (FIM) in Cedar Key began collecting fisheries data in 1997. In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in Common Snook captured in Cedar Key, using FIM gears. From 1997 – 2006 only a single Common Snook was captured in Cedar Key. From 2007 – 2015, a total of 173 Common Snook were captured, all in the 183-m center bag seine. This presentation will cover details as to why there has been an exponential increase of Common Snook in Cedar Key, an area historically north of their range and an area that routinely recorded winter water temperatures well below the 15 °C threshold of Common Snook. We will also cover details of recent YOY Common Snook catches from reconnaissance sampling in backwater habitats as well as a new pilot study, using acoustic tags and a telemetry array to track movements and identify winter habitats. 10:15 AM Testing the predictive power of mollusk life and death assemblages in determining distributional patterns of seagrass habitats along Florida’s gulf coast By: Alexander Hyman Abstract: Seagrass habitats support a broad suite of ecologically and economically important taxa, but are diminishing around the world at alarming rates due, in large part, to human related activities. Here, we examine living mollusk communities and sympatric death assemblages associated with seagrass habitats. Our goal is to evaluate live-dead agreement of mollusk assemblages as a proxy for assessing long-term changes in the distributional patterns of seagrass meadows. We collected 48 suction core samples of live and dead mollusks from 12 sampling stations that represent three distinct habitat types: (1) “Static vegetated” (temporally unchanged with macrophyte cover); (2) “Static unvegetated” (temporally unchanged without macrophyte cover); and (3) “Transition localities” (temporally changing macrophyte cover). Specimens were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Preliminary multivariate analyses (nMDS based on Bray-Curtis similarity) of data processed thus far indicate that, for both live and dead mollusks, samples from static vegetated stations grouped separately from static unvegetated stations (p < 0.001, MANOVA). Pilot nMDS analysis also indicates that death assemblages from transition stations ordinate in-between samples of vegetated and unvegetated stations suggesting that dead mollusks from transition areas reflect the temporal dynamic in seagrass cover. Preliminary results indicate distinctive assemblages of live mollusks for both static vegetated and static unvegetated localities and distinct death assemblages for all three locality types. These findings suggest that mollusk assemblages may be useful in distinguishing between localities with different macrophyte cover dynamics. In addition, live-dead comparisons may provide insights into historical changes in spatial distribution of seagrass habitats.
10:30 AM Otolith radiocarbon verifies age estimates in long-lived reef fishes along the west Florida shelf By: Beverly K. Barnett Abstract: Estimating reef fish age often can be problematic given many species exhibit high site fidelity with limited home ranges, thus localized conditions can drive high variability in size at age. The ability to sample year-round to conduct age verification analysis is limited for many species, and age validation methods that rely on catch and release can be problematic due to barotrauma effects. The otolith bomb radiocarbon (Δ14C) chronometer is a unique approach to verifying age estimates that relies on the rapid increase in radiocarbon that occurred in the oceans as a result of atmospheric testing of nuclear bombs in the 1950s and 1960s.Uptake of this radiocarbon by the marine environment, particularly by shallow-water corals, provides a record of regional bomb radiocarbon inputs, as well as subsequent declines due to mixing into deep ocean basins. This time-specific signal provides a reference period that has been used to verify age estimates of fishes. We will represent otolith Δ14C data for speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi, and red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, from the Gulf of Mexico that are well-correlated with regional coral Δ14C records, and thus verify age estimates for these long-lived species. Previous applications of this approach have relied on having fish otoliths with birth years in the period of rising Δ14C (1950s-1960s). However, we demonstrate that linear declines in western Atlantic Ocean coral and reef fish otolith Δ14C from the 1980s to present can be used to verify ages of short-lived species for which archived samples with 1950s-1960s birthdates do not exist.
10:45 AM Climate change-mediated shifting species ranges and the ecology of an at-risk endemic sponge By: Kathleen Kaiser Abstract: Demonstrations of shifting species ranges have primarily been in temperate and polar regions, with only a handful of tropical marine studies. Ranges for individual species can shift entirely or they can expand while retaining historical locations. With increasing water temperatures, we would predict tropical species to expand their ranges north and south of the equator due to release from cold temperature limiting their range. Only three studies on sponge species distributions have been performed along the Florida Gulf coast, the most recent of which was in 1963. Average winter sea surface temperatures have increased 2- 3°C since these studies. This dramatic increase could potentially allow range expansion for tropical species and extinction of endemics because poleward range expansion is not possible in the Gulf as it is along the Atlantic coast. Halichondria corrugata is endemic to the northern Gulf of Mexico and may be threatened by extinction if sea surface temperatures continue to increase. We cannot currently assess the susceptibility of H. corrugata to extinction due to our lack of natural history knowledge. The focus of this talk will be on the importance of sponges and the potential impacts of climate change on their roles, in addition to preliminary data on range shifts along the Florida Gulf Coast.
11:00 AM Identifying catch assemblages in the commercial vertical line reef fishery: A focus on the Big Bend Region By: Nicholas Ducharme-Barth Abstract: Commercial fleets play a critical role in driving the population dynamics of exploited stocks, as well as in maintaining coastal economies. Understanding how effort distributes across species allows managers to identify the unforeseen consequences of effort shifts and develop a more proactive response to these events. Modern fisheries monitoring techniques including vessel-monitoring systems (VMS) have significantly advanced this endeavor. This project takes a comparative approach to identifying commercial catch assemblages within the Big Bend region of the Gulf of Mexico. Networks are created from VMS and commercial logbook data using logistic regression on multispecies presence-absence data, and multivariate techniques such as non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), and spatial factor analysis. Additionally, the Big Bend region is the northern most extent of the West Florida shelf and represents a unique opportunity to evaluate how commercial catch assemblages may have changed over time with respect to changing oceanographic conditions.
11:15 AM History & Forestry on the Lower Suwannee NWR By: Daniel Barrand Abstract: This talk will focus on the history of Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and how the Refuge was established. The speaker is currently the Forester for the Lower Suwannee NWR & North Florida Refuge Complex within the Big Bend of Florida. Daniel has been serving as Forester on the Lower Suwannee NWR for the past 14 years. Prior to his service at Lower Suwannee, Daniel worked 2 years for the US Forest Service and 7 years with private forest industry. Daniel’s main focus with the US Fish & Wildlife Service is habitat restoration. 11:30 AM Mapping Avian Flyways in South America with Satellite Telemetry: State of Knowledge and Future Directions By: Lisa Davenport Abstract: Waterbirds move seasonally within the Amazon in response to annual flooding that transforms wetland habitats. While both single- and multi-species avian flyways have been documented for parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, very little is known about annual movements of birds within the vast wilderness of the South American Amazon. To study intra-tropical movement ecology of waterbirds, we have begun tracking two species from Amazonia, the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) and the Orinoco Goose (Neochen jubata), using satellite transmitters (Microwave Telemetry 5 g ARGOS PTT’s), in both Peru (Río Manu) and Brazil (Río Jurua). We provide evidence for strong migratory connectivity between seemingly disparate populations for both species, based on tracking migrations of a few birds from each site. Three skimmers, two from Peru and one from Brazil, undertook westward migrations across the Andes after the breeding season (June-October), using identical stopovers both East and West of the high Peruvian Andes. In addition, both Peruvian and Brazilian Orinoco Geese migrate to the Llanos de Moxos, Bolivia, each year after breeding. Several additional skimmers tracked from Peru provided partial migration data suggesting the importance of the Bolivian Llanos de Moxos wetlands to this species as well, possibly en route to Atlantic coastal sites. These insights into avian flyways allow us to pinpoint potential sites for targeting conservation efforts, which become ever more important as development pressure accelerates in the region. Similar approaches as those outlined here could be used for understanding bird behavior in the Nature Coast region. 11:45 AM Does Sexually Dimorphic Growth Influence the Harvest Regulation Choice for Spotted Seatrout By: Justin Procopio Abstract: Dimorphism between sexes in teleost varies among species and their individual populations, often resulting in sex-specific rates of growth, recruitment, and mortality. These differences in life history causes their vulnerability to fishing mortality to vary among sexes. In both recreational and commercial fisheries, size selective exploitation is focused on the larger individuals of a population, as they typically hold the highest value to fishers. At high rates of fishing mortality, harvest focusing on larger (older) fish has the potential to truncate the size and age classes of a stock. In this study, we aim to compile data for the Spotted Seatrout fishery in the Nature Coast region of Florida, including fishing and natural mortality, growth rates for each gender, sex ratio of harvested fish, size at maturity, and weight-length relationships. This data will be utilized in an age-structured population model to evaluate the effects of different length limits on Spotted Seatrout fishery metrics (i.e., SPR, yield, number of harvested fish). Simulations will then be used investigate how alternative regulations could provide improved protection of stocks from recruitment overfishing while providing anglers the opportunity to harvest large numbers of fish. This assessment will serve to improve our understanding of the population dynamics and fishing impacts on Spotted Seatrout to promote a long- term, sustainable harvest in the Big Bend region. 12:00 PM LUNCH
1:00 PM Updates and Future Priorities for the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station By: Micheal Allen Abstract: The UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station was created in 2015, with the mission to enhance the conservation and sustainability of natural resources throughout the Nature Coast. This mission will be accomplished through collaborative research, enhanced public engagement, field-based courses, and
hands-on training workshops. This presentation will provide an update on the recent progress at NCBS, as well as medium and long-term goals for research, teaching and public outreach. We will also provide an overview of current and future facility improvements at NCBS and Seahorse Key Marine Lab. This summary will hopefully initiate discussion and feedback to help NCBS serve UF faculty, students, collaborators, and our agency cooperators more effectively in the coming years.
1:15 PM Training future stewards: terrapin research in the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge By: Benjamin K. Atkinson Abstract: Ornate diamondback terrapins, Malaclemys terrapin macrospilota, are native to salt marsh and other estuarine habitats along Florida’s Gulf coast. Little is known regarding their population demographics and habitat use throughout the subspecies range. In 2014, we identified a robust population center of terrapins in the Cedar Keys NWR and initiated mark-recapture and ecological studies. We have subsequently collected data on population size, demographic structure, habitat use, and diet of the resident terrapins. Additionally, we have effectively leveraged this study site to train biology students in research and critical thinking skills, providing hands-on experience in coastal conservation and marine biology. Undergraduate students involved in our terrapin research hail from Flagler College, University of Florida, Santa Fe College, and Florida Gulf Coast University. Most of these students participated through formal courses, several of which were taught by us. We also involved students from the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars program, and our project has spawned a collaborative research project for a PhD student. Over 100 undergraduate students have been involved to date, from seven separate courses, and these numbers are poised to grow rapidly. Flagler College’s Coastal Environmental Science program has made this terrapin research and training of undergraduates a featured project, and the population was designated as a “sentinel population” by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Here, we summarize the results of our investigations with this terrapin population to date, and discuss our long-term goals of utilizing this site for training and inspiring future stewards of our Nature Coast ecosystems. 1:30 PM Freshwater detention by oyster reefs: quantifying a keystone ecosystem service By: David A. Kaplan Abstract: Oyster reefs provide myriad ecosystem services, including water quality improvement, fisheries and other faunal support, shoreline protection from erosion and storm surge, and economic productivity. However, their role in directing flow during non-storm conditions has been largely neglected. In regions where oyster reefs form near the mouth of estuarine rivers, they likely alter ocean-estuary exchange by acting as fresh water ªdamsº. We hypothesize that these reefs have the potential to detain fresh water and influence salinity over extensive areas, thus providing a ªkeystoneº ecosystem service by supporting estuarine functions that rely on the maintenance of estuarine (i.e., brackish) conditions in the nearshore environment. In this work, we investigated the effects of shore-parallel reefs on estuarine salinity using field data and hydrodynamic modeling in a degraded reef complex in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Results suggested that freshwater detention by long linear chains of oyster reefs plays an important role in modulating salinities, not only in the oysters' local environment, but over extensive estuarine areas (tens of square kilometers). Field data confirmed the presence of salinity differences between landward and seaward sides of the reef, with long-term mean salinity differences of >30% between sides. Modeled results expanded experimental findings by illustrating how oyster reefs affect the lateral and offshore extent of freshwater influence. In general, the effects of simulated reefs were most pronounced when they were highest in elevation, without gaps, and when riverine discharge was low. Taken together, these results describe a poorly documented ecosystem service provided by oyster reefs; provide an estimate of the magnitude and spatial extent of this service; and offer quantitative information to help guide future oyster reef restoration. 1:45 PM Manatee movements and habitat using along the northern Gulf of Mexico and Florida’s Big Bend Coast By: James Reid Abstract: Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) range along the northern Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Louisiana, and occasionally to Texas. Aquatic habitats in the Big Bend provide favorable resources for manatees, however little is known about specific manatee use areas and habits west of the Suwannee River. In an effort to document manatee movement and habitat use patterns along the northern
Gulf coast, the USGS – Sirenia Project radio tagged manatees starting in April 2008, with funding since 2013 as part of a USGS study for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. As of September 2016, we have deployed Argos-linked GPS tags on 42 manatees (18 females, 24 males) in the Crystal and Wakulla rivers, and during open-water captures at other locations in northern Florida from St Marks to Choctawhatchee Bay. Spring migration timing and paths for manatees traveling north from Crystal River varied by individual, but typically included foraging and freshwater resources of coastal creeks and rivers (Suwannee, Steinhatchee, Econfina, Aucilla, and Wakulla/St Marks rivers). From late spring through summer, manatees primarily used the coastal estuaries and rivers from the Crystal River to Apalachicola, with some individuals ranging west to Lake Pontchartrain, LA. Migrations to warm water refuges were primarily triggered by the onset of early winter cold weather. Understanding the distribution of resources and patterns of manatee use in this area can be useful for managing the increasingly large numbers of manatees utilizing the northern extent of their Gulf coast range. 2:00 PM Invasive lionfish trends, impacts, and potential mitigation in the northern Gulf of Mexico By: Kristen A. Dahl Abstract: Invasive red lionfish, Pterois volitans, were first observed in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) in summer 2010. Since that time, we have conducted a series of observational and experimental studies to estimate their population trends, impacts on native reef fishes, and the potential for mitigation. Lionfish densities increased exponentially in the nGOM through 2014 but leveled off thereafter. By 2013, densities on nGOM artificial reefs were among the highest reported in the entire western Atlantic (~20 fish/100m2), although densities on natural reefs remain an order of magnitude lower. Visual diet analysis of lionfish (n=934) sampled with spears indicates significant habitat, season, and size effects on diet, and that lionfish are generalist predators capable of switching to non-reef prey or invertebrates when small demersal fishes are absent. Similar trends are apparent from results of visually unidentifiable prey samples subjected to DNA barcoding, yet estimates of diet richness increased substantially. Density-dependent cannibalism also is suggested from barcoding results, which has subsequently been confirmed with nuclear DNA microsatellite genotyping. Lower condition and slower growth rates on artificial reefs also are indicative of density-dependent regulation of lionfish populations. Despite indications that their densities may have peaked in the nGOM, results from targeted removal experiments illustrate lionfish are capable recolonizing clear reefs rapidly, both from adjacent habitats and settlement from the plankton. Ultimately, our results do not point to a clear solution to the lionfish problem, however, data collected among these studies are informative to assess and model lionfish impacts in the nGOM ecosystem.
2:15 PM BREAK
2:30 PM Fire Management on the Lower Suwannee NWR: Burning for Critters! By: Vic Doig Abstract: Fire plays a critical role in the management of conservation lands in Florida. This talk will focus on the beneficial effects of wildland fire on native habitats and wildlife. The Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge uses prescribed fire as a common land and resource management tool on upland and wetland habitats throughout the refuge. The author/speaker is currently the Fire Management Officer and a Wildlife Biologist for the Lower Suwannee NWR on the Gulf Coast of North Florida, where he has been for the past 13 years. Vic was trained in wildlife management at the University of Florida and N.C. State University. Prior to his assignment at Lower Suwannee, Vic worked for the State of Florida for 15 years: 7 years with the state park system as a biologist and land manager, and 8 years for the state Fish & Wildlife Commission as a biologist and land management supervisor. He has been a wildland firefighter and conducting prescribed fires as a burn boss and state certified burner since 1990. 2:45 PM Resident foraging areas for loggerhead sea turtles in the Big Bend Region of Florida, USA By: Kristen Hart Abstract: From 2011-2016 we satellite tagged a subset of loggerhead turtles nesting on Gulf of Mexico beaches including Dry Tortugas and Everglades National Parks (south FL; N = 2), St. Joseph State Peninsula (north FL; N = 2), and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (AL; N = 13). Using switching state- space modeling and standard home range estimation techniques (i.e., kernel density estimation [KDE] and
minimum convex polygon [MCP] methods), we determined periods of foraging when individuals remained resident in distinct areas in the Big Bend Region of Florida. Turtles arrived at foraging areas between July 1 and September 10, with variations by turtle and year. In a total of 1778 tracking days at foraging areas, average residence time per turtle was 104.6 days. Foraging area size (i.e., 50% KDE) ranged from 5.1 to 253.0 km2 (mean 85.3 km2, SD 83.5), with depth of foraging area centroids on average -24.7 m (SD 18.9). Distance to shore for foraging area centroids was on average 49.9 km, yet some were very close to shore (2.9 km) whereas others were further offshore (137.7 km). The Big Bend region provides a wide area of suitable year-round foraign habitat for loggerheads from at least 3 nesting subpopulations. Understanding where and when threatened loggerhead turtles forage and remain resident is key for designing surveys and additional protection measures for this protected species.
3:00 PM Can southeastern salt marshes rebound from feral hog disturbance? Distribution, patterns and impacts of feral hog activity and consequences to vegetation recovery By: Sean J. Sharp Abstract: Large consumers engineer their environment through the physical effects of their large bodies on soils and plants, potentially impacting ecosystem services like nutrient cycling and erosion control. In southeastern salt marshes, feral hogs (Sus scrofa) trample, root, and wallow, actions that flatten and uproot vegetation and create small depressions that pool water. Although feral hogs are frequently found in the southeast US coastal region, there have been few studies on the spatial extent and variation of their disturbance impacts in salt marshes. Here we examine feral hog disturbance distribution, feature composition (e.g. size and type), and severity (i.e. percent vegetation loss) by surveying salt marsh sites from Florida to South Carolina and coupling the survey with a mimicked hog disturbance field experiment. In the survey, we also characterized adjacent land cover and compared soil biogeochemistry properties to adjacent unaffected areas at select sites. We found the occurrence of feral hog disturbance is linked to adjacent upland habitat and results in vegetation removal or mortality and a net loss of soil carbon. Of the hog activities, we mimicked, wallowing resulted in the largest reduction in vegetation cover and took the most time to recover to reference conditions. Results suggest that the loss of vegetation and soil structure after disturbance could lead to alarming shifts in important biotic and abiotic feedbacks, inhibiting recovery of vegetation and shifting disturbed marshes from carbon sinks to sources. Such consequences to ecosystem health and service provisioning should be given due consideration when managing feral hog populations. 3:15 PM Biotic and abiotic controls on the northern range expansion of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) By: Amy Langston
Abstract: Climate change-driven range expansion of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) is predicted along the northern Gulf of Mexico, where sea level rise is also driving conversion of coastal freshwater forest to salt marsh. We hypothesized that increased tidal flooding in relict forest islands supports mangrove colonization, which could extend the forest-to-marsh trajectory to include eventual replacement by mangroves. To test this idea, we compared fates of caged and non-caged black mangrove propagules across four landscape positions (island interior, island edge, marsh plain, and creek edge) and between three transects with different tidal flooding regimes. Within 12 days, 99% of all non-caged propagules were consumed by grapsid crab, Sesarma reticulatum. Predation was also the primary cause of caged propagule mortality (19% after 200 days) except at the rarely flooded island interior, where desiccation prevented establishment. Seedlings experienced mild to fatal degrees of herbivory in all position at all three transects. Overall seedling establishment was highest at the frequently flooded transect and lowest at the rarely flooded transect, though seedling growth was greatest at the edge of the rarely flooded island, potentially due to reduced competition with salt marsh vegetation. While this study shows that relict islands and their surrounding marshes can support mangroves, we found biotic pressure to outweigh environmentally favorable growing conditions, at least in the early stages of mangrove colonization.
3:30 PM BREAK
3:45 PM Seasonal patterns of reproduction in Florida horseshoe crabs By: H. Jane Brockmann
Abstract: Florida horseshoe crabs are divided into a number of genetically distinct populations that differ in their seasonal patterns of reproduction. At Seahorse Key and elsewhere along the northern Gulf coast, horseshoe crabs breed on spring high tides primarily during two periods: late February to May and late August to November. Most females nest only during one of these breeding seasons but some males have been observed breeding in both spring and fall. Spring and fall reproduction differs in a number of important respects including nesting densities, operational sex ratios, egg development rates and physical differences between the individuals that nest in the two seasons. On the east coast, northern and central Florida populations of horseshoe crabs show a similar pattern of breeding with periods of inactivity during winter (Dec-Jan) and summer (May-Aug). The pattern of reproduction for south Florida populations is not known in detail but breeding has been observed throughout the year. The cues that initiate horseshoe crab breeding are not known for any population, but high tide height and water temperature are thought to be important factors. With global climate change, the pattern of breeding that we see in south Florida is likely to track northward. Understanding those patterns is crucial to long-term management of the species. A Citizen Science effort is being initiated to conduct breeding surveys and to track tagged horseshoe crabs in several Florida populations.
4:00 PM Inferring aspects of small demersal reef fish ecology on the West Florida Shelf with stable and radio isotope analysis By: Gracie Barnes
Abstract: Small demersal reef fishes constitute important food web linkages between primary producers or consumers and higher trophic level predators along the West Florida Shelf (WFS). Despite their ecological significance, there is a paucity of data on the trophic ecology and population dynamics for many of these species. We conducted trophic and age and growth studies aimed at filling these gaps, with the goal being able to more accurately model lower trophic levels of WFS food webs to examine threats such as invasive lionfish or climate change. Fishes were sampled with trawls and spears along the Florida shelf in summer 2016. Muscle tissue from 161 individuals among 30 species was analyzed for δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S with isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Species-specific trophic position estimated from muscle δ15N ranged from 2.6 to 3.3, thus indicating a diversity of feeding strategies, from omnivorous grazers to mesopredators. Otoliths from two model species, short bigeye (n=90) and blue angelfish (n=72) were sectioned and aged to examine potential longevity and growth rates. Despite high growth coefficients, some individuals of each species were aged to be >30 years old, which was verified with accelerator mass spectrometry analysis of otolith δ14C. Fast growth in early life may guard against predation, but low natural mortality conveyed by observed longevity may also indicate low resilience from perturbation. Collectively, our results demonstrate the power of stable and radio isotope analysis to infer aspects of the trophic ecology or population dynamics of species for which only limited sample sizes may exist.
4:15 PM Defining Landscape-Scale Conservation Targets for Florida By: Todd E. Hopkins
Abstract: The Peninsular Florida Landscape Conservation Cooperative (PFLCC) is part of a National Network of 22 LCCs which are public-private organizations that foster landscape-scale conservation to sustain natural and cultural resources for future generations. We have been engaged in conservation planning, the process of deciding how to protect, conserve, enhance and/or minimize loss of natural and cultural resources, as it is a fundamental process to achieve conservation success in a time of rapid environmental change. We will present the results of a series of workshops to create conservation targets for priority resources which have built upon the Florida State Wildlife Action Plan and many other existing data sources. Conservation targets provide a focus for planning, design, conservation action, and collaborative monitoring of environmental trends to guide landscape-scale conservation to improve the quality and quantity of key ecological and cultural resources. Lastly, we will discuss our efforts to create a unified Conservation Planning Atlas for all of Florida.
4:30 PM University of Florida Marine Mammal Stranding Network (Nature Coast Marine Animal Response Team) By: Michael Walsh Abstract: Marine Mammals found along Florida’s coast include a large number of whale and dolphin species as well as manatees. They serve as indicators of the health of their groups as well as the environment where we share similar susceptibility to health challenges. To close the knowledge gap, the UF College of Veterinary Medicine in partnership with IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station and Cedar Key Dolphin Project will begin a formal 5-year study of the populations and individual animals which strand along the coast of Levy, Dixie and Taylor counties. This will be an alliance with the citizens of these counties to learn together about their natural resources, their lives, their challenges and how what affects marine mammals also affects us. Working with project investigators Mike Walsh and Craig Pelton, each with 30+ years of stranding experience, and Stefanie Gazda with 10 years of knowledge of the local dolphin populations, Mackenzie Russell will serve as the stranding coordinator for the new stranding network based in the Cedar Key area. She will work closely with UF-IFAS NCBS and residents of Levy, Dixie, and Taylor counties with training and outreach events to develop a volunteer base throughout all three counties. Observing and reporting of stranded marine mammals relies heavily on those people who spend time out on the water as well as the local residents. Outreach activities will include volunteer training, as well as events designed to teach K-12 students the importance of marine mammals as sentinels of ocean and environmental health.
Thursday, February 2nd, 2017
9:00 AM Keynote Presentation: The Curse of Too Much knowledge
By: Felicia Coleman
10:00 AM The ecological importance and restoration of offshore oyster reef chains in the Big Bend of Florida By: Peter Frederick Abstract: Offshore oyster reefs in the Big Bend coast of Florida have declined by 88% during the last 30yr, with the most likely cause being salinity-related mortality during episodic periods of reduced freshwater inflows to estuaries. Conversion to sandbar habitat appears to be nonreversible via natural processes once shell coverage is lost. Both field measurements and modeling indicate that these coastwise chains serve to detain freshwater and buffer salinities in the nearshore bays and marshes, creating a negative feedback loop that accelerates the decline of oyster reef habitat. At pilot sites where we added durable substrate (limerock boulders and clam aquaculture bags), elevation increased post-construction by an average of 16 cm. Mean oyster density on treatment sites increased by 2.65X on rock, 14.5X on clam bags and 9.2X overall compared with control sites. Densities on treatment sites were between 89 and 125 times those measured at a suite of other nearby reefs. This work suggests that the addition of durable substrate could make reefs more resilient to periodic declines in freshwater flow, and could slow or reverse the salinity negative feedback loop through detention of fresh water. This project is now embarking on restoration of an entire 4.8 km reef chain over the next four years. We predict 1) coastal salinities will be more often in an estuarine range, 2) less frequent oyster dieoff events will occur in response to high salinity events, and 3) recolonization of reef substrate following dieoffs will be more rapid than in unrestored areas. 10:30 AM Policy choices as planned experiments – opportunity for learning lost or found in the Nature Coast? By: William E. Pine III Abstract: As water resources become limited along the Nature Coast and southeastern US understanding how freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystems respond to specific types of water withdrawals and changes in freshwater inputs are critical to informing management decisions including water allocations that can have large ecological and economic impacts. I will present case histories from river basins in the western and eastern US that I have worked that offer strongly contrasting frameworks for identifying and
addressing key uncertainties and making decisions. I think ecosystem responses to flow modifications in the southeastern US are highly uncertain and these uncertainties limit opportunities for informed decision making. To address this, I think that modifications to groundwater and river systems should be viewed as large-scale experiments capable of providing information to inform critical policy decisions related to water allocation that have far reaching ecological, economic, and sociological implications. Recognizing the uncertainty inherent in natural systems and fostering dialogue and trust among scientists, managers, and stakeholders is critical to the development of new efficient methods to enable resource development and effective resource management. These are old ideas that are not widely put into practice but may be important to helping the people of the Nature Coast address immediate and future resource challenges. 11:00 AM BREAK
11:15 AM FLORIDA’S BIG BEND area as one of five national conservation focal areas of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service By: Andrew Gude Abstract: At a joint Peninsular Florida/South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) Steering Committee meeting in June 2016, it was agreed that the Big Bend was chosen as a shared priority to focus on a cross-boundary opportunity. This area also borders the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks LCC. The Florida Big Bend area includes dozens of amazing rivers, including the Suwannee, the eastern U.S’s longest undammed, unchannelized river. The Florida Big Bend has the world’s largest and most impressive array of freshwater springs on the planet; and the longest, undeveloped coastline in the entire continental United States. This area contains culturally significant oyster, clam, scallop, shrimp, and crab fisheries, with small, remote coastal communities largely built around their harvest. The Big Bend is home to the largest remaining population of spawning Gulf sturgeon, all five sea turtles found in the Gulf of Mexico; at least half of the wintering population of American Oystercatcher, and numerous mammals including the Florida black bear, Florida saltmarsh vole, and Florida Gulf Coast mink, waterfowl and other birds, amphibians, and other fish and marine species. We discuss a vision of the Florida Big Bend as a partner focus area within a landscape conservation design. This will serve as a public-private partnership that is united in preserving rural lifestyles and the area’s unique cultural heritage, fostering sustainable natural resource-based economies through conservation of ecosystem services.
11:30 AM An ecosystem-based approach to evaluating impacts and management of invasive lionfish By: David Chagaris Abstract: Species invasions in marine ecosystems pose a threat to native fish communities and can disrupt the food webs that support valuable commercial and recreational fisheries. Resistance to species invasions is improved when native species populations are healthy, however many have been severely depleted by overfishing. Thus, there is a need to integrate invasive species control efforts with fisheries management. We developed a trophic-dynamic model to quantify the effects of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) on native reef fish communities in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. We used the model to evaluate mitigation strategies by simulating lionfish removals along with management of native predatory reef fishes. Strong negative effects were predicted for lionfish prey groups such as small-bodied reef fishes, small non- reef fishes, and shrimp. Several large bodied predators that support valuable commercial and recreational fisheries were also negatively affected by lionfish through competition for prey. Simulations demonstrated that increased harvest of native reef fish predators is associated with increased lionfish biomass. This supports the hypothesis of biotic control by native predators and suggests that historical overfishing of reef fish may have made the system more vulnerable to species invasions. Our results show that development of a lionfish fishery, combined with rebuilding of overfished reef fish stocks, show the most promise for controlling lionfish and minimizing impacts at the ecosystem level. The model can be used to identify target lionfish densities and associated removal efforts and to assess how regional fisheries management policies can influence, and are influenced by the invasion.
11:45 AM Do patterns in spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) recruitment suggest common density-independent drivers of recruitment variability among northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries? By: Erin C. Bohaboy Abstract: Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) are among the most targeted gamefish in northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) estuaries, including in Alabama where they are subjected to intense recreational fishing effort. We began this work by performing a stock assessment of spotted seatrout in Alabama waters with Stock Synthesis, an integrated statistical age-structured population model. A base model (natural mortality = 0.35 y-1 and Beverton-Holt spawner-recruit function steepness = 0.87) and several sensitivity runs were completed; all runs indicated declining spawning stock biomass since the late 1990s, with fishing mortality peaking in the last 5 years. Recruitment estimates from the Stock Synthesis model deviated from Beverton- Holt spawner-recruitment predictions with a trend of poor recruitment (negative deviations) early in the time series increasing to better-than-average recruitment (positive deviations) beginning in the late 1990s. These resulted in fairly stable, but depleted, spawning stock biomass despite high landings since the early 2000s. Post-hoc analysis indicated recruitment deviations were related to environmental covariates, such as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation index and winter freshwater input into Mobile Bay. Preliminary examination of similar recruitment patterns from other nGOM spotted seatrout populations suggest density-independent environmental variables correlate to spotted seatrout recruitment in other systems as well. In this presentation, we will summarize results from the Alabama assessment, and further explore patterns in estimated recruitment deviations among other nGOM spotted seatrout populations. 12:00 PM Prediction of saltwater intrusion in the Suwannee River with a Markov-chain model By: Gisselle E. Guerras Abstract: River discharge, water elevations and salinity measurements along the Suwanee River, at the Florida’s Big Bend, were collected from November 2015 to June 2016 to investigate saltwater intrusion as defined by the position of the 2 g/kg (X2) isohaline. The X2 position has been used as a habitat indicator for biological communities because of its relationship with abundance of species at different trophic levels, and with freshwater input. A first-order autoregressive Markov chain model, with Monte Carlo simulations, was used to predict X2. The model relates the X2 position of the previous tidal cycle to the tidally averaged river discharge and water elevation. In order to capture the seasonality of the Suwanee River discharge, the analysis was effected separately for high and low discharge regimes. The high discharge regime coincided with the cold season and had a mean flow of 348m3/s. The low discharge regime overlapped with the warm 3 season and had with a mean flow of 165m /s. The X2 location was also influenced by El Niño Southern Oscillation, meaning that for El Niño years river discharge increases, in contrast with La Niña years. Saltwater intrusion was inversely related to river discharge. Values of X2 were 0.46 km for a discharge of 383m3/s, and 6 km for a discharge of 168m3/s. The model showed close agreement with observed values and followed the trend of the salinity distribution for the period of October and November 2015. This model could be applied to similar bodies of water that have extensive data sets. 12:15 PM LUNCH
1:15 PM Richards Island Fish Trap: An Update on Efforts to Document Its Age, Construction, and Use By: Kenneth E. Sassaman Abstract: Archaeological investigations indicate that a series of tidal pools and a seawall of oyster shell at Richards Island are the remnants of a fish trap constructed by aboriginal inhabitants of Shell Mound and vicinity. Subsurface testing of the seawall shows that it consists largely of poorly sorted oyster shell in organic sediment, much of it below present-day water levels. Radiometric age estimates on shell place construction at about A.D. 400-600, the time of intensive occupation and terraforming at Shell Mound. Archaeological deposits on a hammock adjacent to the fish trap also date to this time interval and likely reflect the location of fish processing for transfer back to Shell Mound, two kilometers to the north. Preliminary observations of tidal flow and impoundment in the trap hint at an effective technology for harvesting mullet, one of the more popular species consumed by aboriginal inhabitants during ritual gatherings.
1:30 PM Evaluating circle hook performance when targeting reef fishes in the northern Gulf of Mexico with implications for red snapper management By: Steven B. Garner Abstract: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has routinely employed daily bag limits, minimum size limits, and seasonal closures to control recreational reef fish harvests. Traditional management strategies combined with intense recreational fishing effort results in millions of discarded reef fish annually. Since 2008, non-stainless steel circle hooks also have been required when targeting reef fishes to reduce discard mortality following capture and hook removal. Over the past few years, we have observed fisher behavior onboard for-hire charterboat trips, conducted fishing experiments with a wide range of circle and J hook sizes to assess hook performance, and conducted stock assessment simulations informed by empirical data to test the effects of potential hook size regulations on long-term yields of red snapper. Charterboat fishermen were unable to avoid red snapper during closed seasons and often discarded fish up to 600 mm TL during open seasons in favor of potentially larger individuals. Overall, circle hooks appear to have reduced traumatic hooking of reef fishes, as intended, without reducing catch rates of target species, such as red snapper or gray triggerfish. The largest circle hook (15/0) increased red snapper size-selectivity by <100 mm compared to 4/0 hook, a modest gain considering maximum TL exceeds 900 mm. Simulation exercises suggest hook size regulations that increase peak size selection to ~500 mm TL, if possible, would increase directed fishery yields during open seasons. However, catch composition data suggest potential hook size regulations could increase red snapper discards if large hooks also are required during closed seasons. 1:45 PM Catch and Release Mortality of Spotted Seatrout By: Grant Scholten Abstract: Spotted Seatrout represent one of the most economically important fishing industries in Florida. The Coastal Conservation Association of Florida valued the recreational sportfish at just over $81 million, and estimated that it generates $137.7 million in total sales and 1,409 jobs. The report concluded that “Florida is recognized as the premier US inshore fishing destination, and Spotted Seatrout is the backbone of the inshore fishing found in the state”. Over the last 10 years, the Spotted Seatrout fishery in Florida has risen from about 60,000 directed fishing trips per year to about 120,000. Maintaining the Spotted Seatrout recreational fishery requires ensuring fish stocks are not being overharvested. However, this also includes fish that die from injuries sustained during the capture process but are still "released" (catch-and-release mortality). Current management of Spotted Seatrout mortality assumes catch-and-release mortality to be 8% based on literature-reported estimates. However, some research suggests that catch-and-release mortality could be higher and variable. It’s apparent that identifying key influences on catch-and-release mortality as well as an empirical estimate would benefit the management of this species and advance our understanding of catch-and-release mortality for other species. Therefore, the objectives for this research were to 1) estimate catch-and-release mortality and 2) identify key influences on mortality. To assess catch- and-release mortality fish were captured using traditional angling techniques and monitored in large aquaculture tanks for 48 hours. To evaluate potential influences on mortality, a generalized linear model was used to test for significance in several covariates at the time of capture.
2:00 PM Initiating a Marine and Coastal Resource Program within Hernando County, Florida’s Adventure Coast By: Keith Kolasa Abstract: Florida’s Adventure Coast, Hernando County, relies heavily on marine and coastal natural resources for economic viability. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to Hernando County for fishing, harvesting scallops, boating, and wildlife viewing. People engaged in these activities support local economies when they purchase supplies, charter tours or vessels, and stay in hotels. Therefore, ethical and sustainable management strategies are important for not only ecological but also economic reasons. In an effort to protect and enhance its vital resources, the County recently initiated a marine resource program. A partnership was formed with the Florida Sea Grant, Nature Coast Biological Station, and the University of Florida Conservation Clinic to raise awareness of the County’s unique resources and promote
the conservation of its valuable resources. A long-term strategic plan for the County is in the process of being developed that will be used to help guide implementation of enhancement and restoration activities and to identify ecosystem based projects submitted for consideration for future grant funding, i.e. RESTORE Act Pot 1 and Pot 3.
2:15 PM BREAK 2:45 PM Multiple stressors and synergistic loss of New England salt marsh ecosystems By: Sinead Crotty Abstract: Climate change and anthropogenic stressors are increasingly converging on coastal ecosystems. Understanding how human stressors interact to affect these ecosystems is of immediate concern, but few studies of stressor interactions exist. We examined past and future interactions between two leading stressors of salt marsh loss in New England; sea level rise and consumer driven low marsh die-off. Geospatial analyses reveal that consumer driven die-off has led to an order of magnitude more marsh loss than sea level rise since the mid-2000s, but marsh drowning from rising seas is predicted to worsen in coming decades. Field transplant experimental results suggest that sea level rise—through the mechanism of marsh softening—will facilitate overgrazing of cordgrass and expansion of the die-off border into the high marsh. Modest projections of sea level rise predict significant low marsh expansion that will accelerate die- off and lead to synergistic ecosystem loss 3x greater than additive effects would predict. These findings highlight that single stressor studies may dramatically underestimate ecosystem loss. Future management actions need to focus on prevention and amelioration of local stressors to break harmful synergisms, reduce future ecosystem loss and enhance ecosystem resilience to global change. 3:00 PM Policy, Planning and Permitting for Long Term, Large Area Coastal, Estuarine and Marine Restoration By: Thomas T. Ankersen
Abstract: Restoration and enhancement projects are typically permitted on a project-by-project basis. Larger scale restoration planning may include multiple similar projects such as several small oyster reefs, or an eco-systemic approach that “tethers” the restoration of diverse habitats including high energy and estuarine beaches, salt marsh, oyster reefs, sea grass beds, and hard bottom. These approaches may occur over significant temporal and spatial scales. Planning at this scale in the absence of regulatory certainty that all of the project components will eventually be permitted could compromise the integrity of the overall effort. Planning at this scale can involve resource and user group conflicts and multiple regulatory approvals at various levels of government. Precedent for this sort of long-term scaled permitting can be found in the areas of port development and multi-phased residential and commercial development. This presentation proposes a policy paradigm for conceptual restoration planning borrowing from existing approaches such as Adaptation Action Areas, regional sediment management programs, regional general permits and port conceptual permits. 3:15 PM A computational approach to explore multiple simultaneous impacts on recruitment and mortality in fish populations By: Geraldine Klarenberg Abstract: When fish populations fluctuate or decline, it is not always clear which environmental impacts could be the cause: particularly if details about spawning sites and behavior is scarce, or responses of adult fish to sudden or slow habitat changes are unknown. The approach presented here takes population dynamics, calculated from fishery-dependent data and local ecological knowledge, as the starting point of the analysis. A detailed age-structured population is developed that specifically incorporates recruitment and adult mortality parameters. This model is calibrated on (the anomalies of) the observed population dynamics under varying scenarios in which the emphasis on either recruitment or mortality is shifted. This provides several possible trajectories in recruitment and mortality that could have produced the observed population dynamics. By comparing the trajectories to time series representing environmental, climatic or anthropogenic impacts, a picture of the most-likely scenario that
combines some or all of these factors can be constructed – as well as their relationship with recruitment, mortality, or both. This method has been applied to bonefish, whose abundance has fluctuated over the past years in South Florida. Based on 34 years of population dynamics (collected and calculated by researchers from Florida International University) and growth, fecundity and mortality parameters from literature, a population model is developed and calibrated. Factors taken into account in scenario building are climate events (El Niño, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation), habitat changes (salinity, sea grass, algae), potentially “catastrophic” events (cold spells, hurricanes, algae blooms) and anthropogenic impacts (fisheries). 3:30 PM Applications of vertebral chemistry to study the ecology of coastal elasmobranchs By: Justin P. Lewis Abstract: The science of otolith chemistry has matured over the past two decades to the point that some applications have become routine in examining aspects of bony fish ecology and life history. Recent studies examining the chemical composition of elasmobranch vertebral centra demonstrate that ecological or life history information, such as elemental signatures of nursery areas or habitat use later in life, may be stored in these structures in a similar fashion as in bony fish otoliths. In this talk, we will present results from recent studies in the northern Gulf of Mexico, including the Big Bend region of the West Florida Shelf, in which we explore the use of elemental signatures to infer aspects of elasmobranch life history. These include examining ontogenetic changes in vertebral chemistry of euryhaline and marine elasmobranchs, validating annual translucent zone formation in smalltooth sawfish vertebrae, and distinguishing blacktip shark nursery regions. Results from these early studies demonstrate the promise of powerful analytical tools, such as laser ablation−inductively coupled plasma−mass spectrometry (LA−ICP−MS), isotope−ratio MS, and accelerator MS, to examine previously intractable questions in elasmobranch ecology. 3:45 PM Effects of Deepwater Horizon oil exposure on growth and herbivory of submerged vegetation By: Charles W. Martin
Abstract: Oil spills threaten the productivity of ecosystems through the degradation of coastal flora and the ecosystem services these plants provide. While lab and field investigations have quantified the response of numerous species of emergent vegetation to oil, the effects on submerged vegetation remain uncertain. Here, we discuss the results of several manipulative experiments to determine the impacts of oil exposure on Ruppia maritima, one of the most common species of submerged vegetation found in the region affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. We grew R. maritima in a range of manipulated sediment oil concentrations and measured changes in growth, reproductive activity, root characteristics, and uprooting force of plants. While no statistical differences were detected in growth, we found that plants in high oil concentrations had significantly reduced reproduction, altered root morphology, and required less force to uproot. Building on these results, we also found chemical composition, specifically plant C/N ratio, was altered. Oil exposure lowered C/N content of plants and subsequent herbivory assays indicated these plants were preferred by herbivores. These results indicate that substantial food web alterations may occur via enhanced consumption of oil-exposed plants and provides vital information necessary to assess the large- scale impact of oil on submerged macrophytes. 4:00 PM Do Scars Hurt? Boater Attitudes toward Seagrass and Propeller Scarring in the Nature Coast By: Savanna C. Barry
Abstract: The Nature Coast of Florida harbors one of the largest contiguous seagrass meadows in the United States and supports lucrative fisheries, such as the recreational bay scallop fishery. Despite protection and management, seagrasses in this region face multiple threats including physical damage, or scarring, by boat propellers and anchors. Over time, erosion and scouring in scarred areas can result in reduced resilience or loss of seagrasses. During the summer 2016 scallop season, we surveyed recreational boaters in three popular boating locations along the Nature Coast: Crystal River, Cedar Key, and Steinhatchee. We assessed boaters’ attitudes toward seagrass resources and their awareness of the
harmful effects of seagrasses scarring. Recreational boaters overwhelmingly perceived seagrasses to be either very important or extremely important (95%). Boaters valued seagrasses mostly for their habitat function, but mentioned at least 9 different reasons to protect seagrasses. However, boaters had mixed opinions regarding the harmful effects of seagrass scarring: 36% of boaters rated seagrass scarring as a big problem or very big problem, while 37% of boaters rated it as not a problem, or were unaware of the issue. Boaters who believed seagrass scarring to be a problem were chiefly concerned about habitat loss. Most boaters were aware of appropriate shallow water boating procedures, with only 3% of boaters unable to explain at least one behavior. These data suggest that boater education programs should focus on linking seagrass scarring to loss of seagrass function (i.e. habitat loss), rather than on increasing awareness of seagrass-safe boating practices. 4:15 PM How has the abandonment of Seahorse Key as a rookery for waterbirds affected insular cottonmouth snakes? By: Mark Sandfoss Abstract: Seahorse Key (SHK) supports a large population of Florida cottonmouth snakes, Agkistrodon conanti, which have a unique trophic association with colonially nesting water birds. Each spring >10,000 birds nest on SHK and provide an influx of food in the form of dropped or regurgitated fish that these snakes scavenge on the ground. Because of this allochthonous input of trophic resources, the cottonmouth population on SHK has become relatively dense and many snakes are large (≥1 m) compared to snakes on adjacent islands without large bird rookeries. Suddenly and unexpectedly, the birds abandoned their nests during April, 2015, and did not return. Given the significant trophic dependence on fish carrion provided by nesting birds, we expected to observe an eventual decline in body condition and numbers of cottonmouth snakes on SHK. We examined historical data collected from 1999 to 2016 on the abundance and body size of snakes to quantify how the removal of food resources has affected the SHK population. Our data show reductions have occurred in the abundance and body condition of cottonmouths between pre- and post- bird abandonment periods. Significant reductions in body condition and abundance were primarily observed in snakes from the west end of the island where the bird rookery was historically concentrated. Loss of the bird rookery as a source of energy suggests that the snake population on SHK will continue to decline. In contrast, numbers of cottonmouths are expected to increase on other islands adjacent to SHK where avian nesting is increasing.
Big Bend Science Symposium 2017 Poster Presentations
A survey assessment of the prevalence and Matthew R. Shinego, Fara Illami & perceptions of seabird hookings by pier Savanna C. Barry anglers along the Nature Coast Abstract: Public piers in Florida are places where tourists, anglers, and wildlife often converge. Angler interactions with seabirds occasionally result in the entanglement or hooking of birds, forcing anglers to take action to remedy the situation. An angler may react to a hooked bird by cutting the line, which can result in the bird’s entanglement and eventual death. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently began a campaign to teach anglers to reel in, remove the hook from, and release hooked birds. To determine the prevalence of interactions and knowledge of proper reel, remove, release procedures amongst pier anglers, we conducted pier intercept surveys during likely fishing hours on public fishing piers in three Nature Coast towns: Crystal River, Yankeetown/Inglis, and Cedar Key. Of the three, Cedar Key had the highest rate of seabird hookings, over double that of the other two locations. From 140 surveys completed thus far, 2 of 16 anglers who hooked birds had cut the line, while 8 of the 27 anglers who witnessed a hooking remembered the angler cutting the line. Though many subjects (~53%) recalled seeing information about preventing the entanglement of birds in fishing line, only a minority (~15%) said that the information changed how they would deal with a hooked bird. Many anglers felt that proper bird de-hooking procedures were common knowledge and widely understood by anglers already. The majority of anglers, regardless of experience or knowledge, reported that the risk of harming wildlife was their primary problem associated with hooking birds. Application of triploidy to an emergent Leslie Sturmer, Carter Cyr, Reggie oyster culture industry on Florida’s west Markham, Huiping Yang & Susan coast Laramore Abstract: To address increased interest in oyster aquaculture on Florida’s west coast, a large- scale demonstration project was initiated which allows for evaluation of an oyster breeding process to local conditions. The project objectives are two-fold: 1) Document production performance, assess health, and examine sensory characteristics of diploid and triploid eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica under commercial conditions; and 2) Quantify the effects of different culture methods, salinities, and seasonal harvests. Oysters from two ploidy types and two seasonal spawns were provided to 10 shellfish growers in four coastal counties. Each received 2,500 triploid and 2,500 diploid oysters (20-25 mm shell height, SH) in July (2016) and January (2017); preliminary growth and survival results from the summer plants are presented. A variety of culture systems used by growers also provides for evaluation of site and gear interaction on ploidy type. In addition, a similar number of oysters are being cultured by UF in replicated trials to determine optimal stocking densities and management practices (e.g., aerial drying for biofouling control). After 19 weeks, triploid and diploid oysters cultured in floating bags averaged 61.0 mm and 59.1 mm in SH, respectively. Total weight of triploid oysters (44.8 grams) significantly differed (P=0.0015) from diploid oysters (30.9 grams). Over this time period, mortalities were minimal (<5%), and prevalence of Dermo Perkinsus marinus was zero for both ploidy types. It is anticipated that this project will result in increased awareness of the benefits of triploidy and accelerate the adoption of a new bivalve species for culture.
Black Rail occurrence along the Gulf Coast Amy C. Schwarzer, Gina Kent, of Florida Amanda Powell & Ken Meyer
Abstract: The Eastern black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis) has undergone range contractions and population declines in many of the Atlantic states and is subsequently being considered for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. In 2016, we conducted systematic, black rail specific, call playback surveys at both historically occupied sites and sites with potential habitat along the Gulf Coast of Florida as part of a larger effort to understand the black rail’s status in Florida. Conservation lands surveyed included St. Vincent’s National Wildlife Refuge, St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge, Big Bend Wildlife Management Area, Crystal River State Park, and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park. We surveyed a total of 108 survey points within these lands. Surveys were conducted in the early morning and late evening during the breeding season (April-July), and were repeated three times at each survey point throughout the season. While black rails were detected on all of the historically occupied conservation lands, occurrence did not necessarily mimic historical patterns in terms of which units within those lands were occupied. Overall, detections were incredibly low, with only 14 individual birds heard on 12 surveys out of 324 total surveys. Given the existence of opportunistic detections encountered between survey points and recorded by other agency staff and the public, it is likely that detection rates are low, and not necessarily that these sites are unoccupied. Citizen science in the Big Bend: results H. Jane Brockman, Mary K. Hart, from horseshoe crab tagging and spawning Tiffany Black & Savanna Barry surveys at Cedar Key, Florida
Abstract: Horseshoe crabs are an important part of the ecology of coastal communities but little is known about the status of Florida populations. Although they are exploited by the biomedical industry, marine-life trade and eel-bait fishery and trapped at power plant intakes, horseshoe crabs are largely unregulated in Florida. We have initiated a Citizen Science effort to conduct standardized spawning and tagging surveys that will generate long-term population data to be used by fisheries managers. Surveys were conducted during peak breeding at Cedar Key in spring (March-April) and fall (September-October) 2015-2016. We used USFWS tags so that the public could report sightings of tagged animals. We tagged 790 individuals (349 females and 441 males), 11% of which were re-sighted one day to one year later. So far, the data show that individual horseshoe crabs often move between beaches in the Cedar Key area and males are re-sighted more often than females. At Cedar Key more horseshoe crabs breed in the spring than in the fall. We measured and assessed the age of all tagged animals and found that those breeding during the spring did not differ in size from fall breeders but the fall animals were in better condition, i.e. they had molted into the final, adult stage more recently. Long-term data from Citizen Scientists are essential for effective conservation of Florida’s horseshoe crabs. Our project will be continued in 2017-2018 with efforts to improve re-sighting of tagged animals. We also hope to establish additional survey locations.
Communications assessment and network analysis of stakeholders in oyster Hannah O. Brown restoration projects on the Gulf Coast
Abstract: Oyster restoration projects on the Gulf Coast present a possible solution to mitigating decreasing oyster populations, however little monitoring and evaluation of stakeholder participation impedes broader success. Basic project data like reef area, organizations involved, monitoring activity, and restoration success have gone largely undocumented. To understand the ways in which restoration projects are tracked and organized, it is essential to understand the communication strategies used by restoration
groups, as well as the perceptions and relationships between participating stakeholders. This research will identify the media messages of local and national newspaper coverage of Gulf Coast oyster restoration projects, assess the factors that influence network structure and engagement in natural resource management, map the flow of information between stakeholder groups as well as the structural roles different groups occupy within a network, and create an expert-driven set of communication recommendations for future projects. In a series of four studies, this research will employ an interdisciplinary approach and a mixed- methods design, which will include content analyses, surveys, social network analyses, and a Delphi panel. This study will reveal generalizable findings regarding the factors that influence social networks, stakeholder engagement in management, communication preferences, and group-level social network structures. In-depth analyses of specific oyster restoration projects will identify the structural positions held by stakeholder groups within specific networks and will map the flow of information within those projects.
Decadal-scale impact of artificial reefs on mollusk communities: a comparison of Shamindri Tennakoon, William dead and living mollusks in the Suwannee Lindberg & Michal Kowalewski Regional Reef System, Florida Abstract: Artificial reefs are an important restoration strategy, but few studies have attempted to assess the impact of artificial deployments on reef-associated soft-bottom benthic faunas. However, a few previous projects, conducted in natural reef environments, suggested that temporal changes in benthic communities can be examined by comparing living mollusk assemblages (LAs) and their sympatric death assemblages (DAs) – the latter representing surficial remains of past communities. To our knowledge, the LA-DA approach has not been applied to artificial reefs. We compared mollusk LAs and DAs in the Suwannee Regional Reef System (SRRS), Gulf of Mexico. Because reef deployment dates are known, SRRS can be used to examine ecosystem changes over well-understood time frames. Specifically, we test the hypothesis that artificial reefs impact local mollusk communities over decadal time scales. This hypothesis predicts a high LA-DA discordance in reef proximity and an improved LA-DA concordance away from reefs. Pilot sampling by SCUBA at two artificial reefs (deployed between 1990 and 1993) was conducted along transects, with samples collected at 1m, 10m, 25m, 50m and 75m away from reefs. Preliminary analyses of the LA-DA discordance was based on Spearman correlation and Jaccard-Chao similarity. Consistent with the proposed hypothesis, the pilot data suggested a high LA-DA discordance in reef proximity and an improved LA-DA concordance away from reefs. These findings tentatively suggest that the artificial SRRS system impacted local communities over a decadal time scale and indicate that comparative LA-DA studies are a useful strategy for assessing the ecological impact of artificial reefs. Effects of plant species and genetic W. A. Scheffel, K. L. Heck, A. R. diversity on wetland functional responses Hughes, J. Cebrian & J. Goff to oiling Abstract: Plant genetic and species diversity positively influence wetland functions, such as primary productivity and the abundance and diversity of fauna that use the plants as habitat. Theory predicts that the effects of diversity on ecosystem functioning may be strongest in the presence of disturbance. Thus, diversity in wetlands may be critical for the maintenance of multiple ecosystem functions in the aftermath of disturbance caused by oiling, but this hypothesis remains to be tested. Here we compared several salt marsh functions, including primary productivity, nutrient storage and habitat provisioning in two areas with little to no oiling and two areas with moderate to heavy oiling in the Chandeleur Islands, LA. We also quantified plant diversity in these areas to determine its role in modulating functional response to oiling. In each area, measurements were taken in uniform salt marsh (Spartina alterniflora dominated), uniform black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), and Spartina/Avicennia mixed
plots in June and September of 2015 and 2016. Measurements included stem/tree height, canopy width, percent cover and shoot/pneumatophore densities, above- and below-ground plant growth rates, plant nutrient contents, and the abundance and species composition of benthic epifauna. Preliminary results show that oiling has produced minimal negative long-term effects on plants or epifaunal communities. Spartina genetic diversity did not differ among oiled and unoiled plots, but genetic diversity positively correlated with S. alterniflora stem density and percent cover. Thus, although oiling effects were not apparent in the areas studied, our results offer evidence that plant genetic diversity can enhance salt marsh function. Evaluating Distribution, Population Status Lisa Smith, Chris Winchester & Jeff and Habitat Use of the Gulf Salt Marsh Mink Gore (Neovison vison halilimnetes) in Florida Abstract: The Gulf salt marsh mink (Neovison vison halilimnetes) is one of four subspecies of American mink occurring in Florida. These subspecies are naturally rare in Florida, have restricted ranges, and are at risk of extirpation from the state. Little is known about the current range, population size, or life history of the Gulf salt marsh mink. Museum records indicate that the Gulf salt marsh mink is limited to salt marsh in the Big Bend region, but this had not been formally tested prior to our study. We used systematic camera surveys to fill information gaps and identify future management needs by defining the current range of mink occurrence, population status, and habitat use in Florida. Continuing research is underway to evaluate subspecies designation, diet, heavy metal contamination, and obtain demographic information. Preliminary results show Gulf salt marsh mink to be dependent on salt marsh habitat between Homosassa and Horseshoe Bay, a more restricted range than previously thought. Gaining a better understanding of the range, habitat, and life history of the Gulf salt marsh mink is crucial for monitoring their status in Florida, identifying barriers restricting their range, and determining management priorities.
Hurricane Hermine’s impact on shallow Elliot White Jr., David Kaplan & Beth groundwater salinity in the Suwannee River Middleton floodplain Abstract: Hurricane Hermine was the first hurricane to make landfall in the state of Florida in 11 years and impacted the Big Bend region with wind damage and storm surge. The Suwannee River, a major river in the Big Bend, experienced saltwater intrusion from Hermine’s surge. We have four field sites located along the Lower Suwannee River each instrumented with two shallow groundwater wells instrumented with a CTD (conductance-temperature-depth) sensor to monitor groundwater level and salinity. The goal of the project is to understand how chronic low-level groundwater salinity impacts the health of coastal bald cypress swamps, however these data allowed us to observe a rapid increase in groundwater salinity associated with Hermine’s storm surge. Across the 8 wells groundwater salinity rose from 1.9 ppt in the previous months to 8.6 at the peak of the storm surge. Groundwater salinity remained elevated well after surface water salinity returned to background levels. This is significant in regard to bald cypress health as they only tolerate salinity above 2 parts per thousand for a short period of time before adverse physiological effects start to become noticeable. As the project continues, our expanded understanding of how Suwannee River salinity correlates to floodplain root zone salinity will allow us to better understand how saltwater intrusion due to rising sea levels and river salinization will drive groundwater salinization and ecosystem health. Implementing best management practices (BMPs) in corn production to protect water Patrick Troy, Joel Love quality
Abstract: Driven by the proposed 2016 adoption of the Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) for the Suwannee River Basin, strong emphasis is being placed on irrigation and nutrient management in the area. Farmers are encouraged by the Florida Department of Consumer Services (FDACS) to enroll in Best Management Practices (BMPs) to conserve water and reduce nitrate leaching (DEP 2016). Using 12 advanced corn hybrids varieties in a RCMD, 8 BMPs were implemented in Live Oak, to demonstrate their efficacy. The practices included cover cropping, soil sampling, poultry litter applications, crop nutrient budgeting, soil moisture sensor installation, ear leaf tissue sampling, side dress fertilizer application, and pivot nozzle upgrade/calibration (via Mobile Irrigation Lab). An average of 220 bushes per acre was harvested while statewide grain corn yields average 122 bpa (NASS 2012). With applied nitrogen inputs of 198lbs, an efficiency ratio of 111% was achieved (compared typical ratios of 60-80%). Such a trial proves high yields are possible while minimizing the risk to leaching. Additionally, water savings of approximately 8% were recored through close monitoring of volumetric water content at various soil depths with a Sentek TDR probe. Full implementation of these practices reducted inputs by approximately $95/acre. With uncouraging results, UF/IFAS will expand this demonstration to neighboring farms, so as to document both high yields and nutrient savings (from leaching and expense). Quantifying the economics and environmental services now will encourage early adoption and greater financial success.
It’s an island life for the Cedar Key Mole Kevin M. Enge, Paul E. Moler & Travis Skink M. Thomas
Abstract: The Cedar Key Mole Skink (Plestiodon egregius insularis), which is endemic to a few islands in Levy County, was petitioned in 2012 for federal listing as Threatened. We collected 25 genetic samples for a phylogenetic analysis of all five mole skink subspecies during four trips in 2015−2016. Skinks were found by raking underneath dry tidal wrack and other debris. We found skinks on Atsena Otie, North, Scale, and Seahorse keys. We were most successful at finding skinks on North Key, where we captured three adults and nine hatchlings on a June 2015 trip. A trip in December 2016, three months after Hurricane Hermine, failed to find skinks on North Key; we captured only one skink on Seahorse Key. Storm surge from the Category 1 hurricane eliminated most detritus used as cover by skinks. We assume most skinks survive such storms by sheltering in hammocks on higher ground and later recolonize shoreline habitats. The hatchlings we observed did not match the description for this subspecies.
Landscape-level in-stream habitat mapping: Cameron Bodine & Jennifer Bock “Side Scan Sonar”
Abstract: Side scan sonar for benthic habitat mapping is an efficient, low-cost approach for mapping habitat features in navigable rivers and streams. It provides a means to create high resolution, spatially detailed maps of continuous, instream habitat across broad aquatic landscapes. The sub-basins selected for this project include: Lower Choctawhatchee, Lower Ochlockonee, Withlacoochee, Peace, and Lower Suwannee. The habitat maps produced will provide valuable information that can be used to identify critical habitat for numerous species, and provide the baseline data needed for instream habitat monitoring. These maps will provide a measure of location and amount of various habitat types for aquatic species, including large woody debris. Temporal changes in the location and amount can be tracked and provide a means of habitat monitoring. These maps will also identify potential areas for restoration. Additionally, mapping pre- and post-restoration efforts can aid in monitoring the
outcomes of those efforts. The Suwannee River is home to at least 62 species of fish, including the Gulf Sturgeon and 17 other sports fish. Sonar imagery will be presented in poster format, classified according to the classification scheme developed for this project, and compared to actual substrates encountered in the field. The poster will serve as a guide to those wishing to implement a substrate mapping and classification project on their streams/rivers.
Manipulating mussel aggregation size to Christine Angelini, Sinead Crotty, maximize salt marsh biodiversity and Katheryn Cronk & Emma E. Johnson ecosystem functions
Abstract: The presence of secondary, or dependent, foundation species (SFS) within foundation species (FS)-dominated systems can enhance biodiversity and ecosystem functions at patch (<0.5m2) and landscape (100’s of m2) scales. How SFS configuration influences ecosystem structure and function at intermediate (several m2) scales and if SFS effects arise because of the SFS’ own activities versus those of the organisms they facilitate remain unclear, information critical for managers attempting to maximize the biodiversity and ecosystem function enhancement benefits that these habitat-formers provide. To address this knowledge gap, we monitored invertebrate communities and ecosystem functions in replicate 4m2 cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) FS-dominated plots into which we transplanted 180 mussel (Geukensia demissa) SFS as isolated individuals, in clumped aggregations of 5, 10, 30, 60, 90, or 180 individuals, or in aggregations of mixed sizes over seven months. Our results reveal that juvenile fiddler crabs, mud crabs, and marsh crab invertebrate functional groups more than quadruple, double, and triple in abundance relative to controls and in a saturating, linear, and decelerating manner with increasing aggregation size, respectively. Mussels experienced 3-times higher mortality and grew slowest as individuals than in aggregations of any size. Cordgrass biomass and diatoms generally increased, and cyanobacteria biomass decreased with mussel presence, responses that structural equation models reveal are mediated by the mussels themselves as well as the invertebrates they facilitate. Thus, mussel SFS elevate biodiversity and most ecosystem functioning more, and are more likely to persist in (especially large) aggregation arrays than as isolated individuals, suggesting a target to managers before implementing ecosystem enhancement strategies.
Population genetics of Florida Seaside Carolyn Enloe, Andrew Cox & Rebecca sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus) Kimball
Abstract: A central problem in conservation biology is properly identifying “at risk” populations to effectively preserve biodiversity and maintain a species’ ability to cope with changing environmental conditions. Taxonomy plays a crucial role in this process by identifying distinct units for conservation attention. Taxonomic uncertainties can have serious ramifications on conservation prioritization, listing status, and in turn funding allocation that may be crucial to species survival. Currently, five recognized subspecies of seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus) are resident in the marshes of Florida: Scott’s seaside sparrow (A.m. peninsulae), Wakulla seaside sparrow (A.m. juncicola), MacGillivray’s seaside sparrow (A. m. macgillivraii), Louisiana seaside sparrow (A. m. fisheri) and the Critically Endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow (A. m. mirabilis). Genetics studies in the late 1980’s revealed significant phylogenetic differences between gulf and Atlantic populations, but Florida Gulf Coast subspecies of seaside sparrow are currently based on distribution and weak morphological differences which have often been contradicted by molecular-based subspecies designations. In 2013, FWC recommended that subspecies relationships for seaside sparrows be re-examined using modern techniques. In spring of 2016, FWC began collecting data for a genetics study. The goal of this project is to refine current
taxonomic designations of seaside sparrows in Florida and to identify populations with low genetic diversity that may be at increased risk of extinction.
Predicting environmental conditions to Paul Mark Suprenand, Shirley M. enhance the management of clam farms on Baker, Michael Drexler, Leslie N. Florida’s Gulf Coast Sturmer & Jim M. Berkson Abstract: Hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) aquaculture research and monitoring activities have amassed a large quantity of data related to the environment, clam mortality, and productivity in Florida. Other than casual use by growers and researchers, the environmental data sets have not been systematically examined and no practical tool has been developed to help farmers reduce crop loss. The industry needs a practical tool for understanding and predicting the risk of crop loss for use in decision-making and farm management. We 1) identified and formatted available environmental and clam productivity data, 2) synthesized data and developed a predictive model of crop loss risk, with the intent of 3) providing a preliminary decision tool to growers. This study evaluated water quality data from two aquaculture areas in Cedar Key and identified periods of time corresponding to events that negatively influenced the well-being of hard clams. We developed an Environmental Assessment Index (EAI), which considered relationships between water quality variables and the duration of a suboptimal water quality event. The relationships between water quality and a suite of other regional environmental variables, were then characterized. These relationships were used to develop mathematical models for predicting temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen concentrations, and the EAI at clam aquaculture areas. Ultimately, water quality predictions are intended to enhance current online water quality information made available to clam farmers for making decisions related to aquaculture planning and management.
Preparing for the future: integrating science Amy Langston, Tom Ankerson & into rural coastal community David Kaplan comprehensive planning Abstract: Sea level rise (SLR) is a growing threat to coastal communities in Florida and around the world. Most adaptation strategies addressing the challenges of SLR occur in large cities where the focus is on the built environment. Rural coastal municipalities often have fewer resources to develop adaptation plans, contain less infrastructure, and have local economies more dependent on natural resources. With these differences in mind, we developed a SLR Adaptation Action Plan for Yankeetown, Florida, a small coastal community in Levy County. We identified a 17-acre Natural Resource Adaptation Action Area (NRAAA) and outlined restoration and adaptation strategies for increasing ecological resilience to environmental change due to SLR. In Spring 2016, Yankeetown amended its comprehensive plan and adopted the Adaptation Action Plan. Strategies outlined in the plan include 1) promoting natural structural barriers (e.g., oyster reefs, living shorelines) through restoration and preservation to protect the NRAAA against SLR, 2) restoring and preserving naturally submerged habitats (e.g., seagrass, salt marsh) to accommodate increased tidal flooding, and 3) maintaining a buffer of non-developed land for habitat migration as a means of minimizing net habitat loss. These strategies create opportunities for multiple restoration and enhancement projects with shared objectives in the NRAAA and can be expanded for large-scale, regional adaptation efforts. Integrating science into the local government planning process is a new and unique approach for addressing SLR impacts. Yankeetown serves as a pilot for other rural coastal municipalities facing the many challenges of a changing climate.
Restoring high tide roosts to increase population and overwinter survival of the Janell Brush & Joe Marchionno American Oystercatcher in the Cedar Key area Abstract: The American Oystercatcher is a threatened species in Florida. Restoration of critical wintering habitat is a key conservation strategy. The Cedar Key region supports the largest concentration of wintering oystercatchers in Florida, representing ~1,100 individuals or 10% of the range-wide population of oystercatchers. This area shows excellent promise as a long term conservation area for the species, however optimal high tide roosting habitat is a limiting factor for this wintering population. These roosting sites are located in offshore oyster reef habitat, which has been experiencing an 88% decline in area over the past 30 years. While the causes of loss of oyster populations is linked to reductions in freshwater inputs upstream, there is plenty of larvae in the nearshore ecosystem. The existence of durable substrate would allow oysters to repeatedly recolonize reefs, making them resilient in the long term to fluctuations in freshwater flow. The goal of this project is to maintain or increase the population and overwinter survival of oystercatchers in the Cedar Key area by restoring two critically important oyster reefs used as high tide roosts. Locally available derelict clam bags and limestone were used to increase elevation, provide substrate for oyster resettlement, and stabilize the reefs. This process is likely to increase long-term stability and resilience of the roost sites because it uses living reef that can easily outpace sea level rise. The prospects for future restoration of oyster reefs are good, with locally adapted and tested methods, a history of successful permit applications, and strong interest from state and federal agencies and local fishers. This is the first project in the line of many oyster restoration projects specifically designed to benefit avian species Ada C. Bersoza, Peter Frederick, Restoring the Eastern oyster: how much Raymond Grizzle, Robert Brumbaugh, progress has been made in nearly 25 years Charles H. Peterson, Mark W. of effort? Luckenbach & Christine Angelini Abstract: Coastal ecosystem restoration is ramping up worldwide as a means of enhancing shoreline protection, carbon storage, fisheries, and biodiversity. Among the most substantial of these efforts have been those focused on re-establishing Eastern oyster reefs in the US. Despite considerable investment, it is unclear how the scale, pace, approach, and cost have evolved – assessment essential to identifying where and how future restoration projects should improve on past efforts. Data synthesized from 957 oyster restoration projects in US Atlantic and Gulf Coast estuaries showed that although 1,447 hectares of reef have been created, this represents <0.05% of oyster habitat estimated to have been lost. Further, 79% of projects were in Chesapeake Bay, 70% utilized oyster substrates, and costs remain prohibitively high, with 53% of projects exceeding 500,000 US$ hectare-1. Improving site selection, widely implementing standardized monitoring, and developing cost-effective reef construction techniques remain outstanding challenges to restoring oysters successfully at scale. Risk Assessment on Triploid Eastern Russel Dame, Dr. Kelly Grogan, Oyster along Florida’s West Coast Dr. Charles Adams & Leslie Sturmer Abstract: Triploid oysters may have faster growth and harvest rates than diploid oysters because triploid oysters do not reproduce, allowing them to focus energy on growth. This project will assess costs and sales data for triploid and diploid oysters to compare and predict potential profits. The analysis also considers risk associated with oyster farms along Florida’s west coast. The project will provide oyster farmers a realistic view of the industry and potential benefits of culturing triploid versus diploid oysters. To collect cost and sales data, 10 oyster farms from Alligator Harbor to Charlotte Harbor each received 1,250 oysters of both ploidy types along with a logbook to record the labor time spent
working. Farmer interviews will be used to collect capital and operating costs during production, as well as other information associated with labor. The farmers will also provide sales data for both oyster types, allowing a comparison between farm-gate prices and potential production differences. Using these data, a financial spreadsheet that can be adjusted to the farmers’ unique investment situation will be created. Stochastic Modeling will be utilized via Simitar software to analyze various environmental, production, and market risk scenarios. This poster will present the beginning stages of the broader project and will assess the costs of an average oyster farm along Florida’s west coast and types of risk that may be associated with farms in this region. Further research will need to be conducted on consumers’ willingness- to-pay for farmed oysters compared to wild caught to determine potential price differences.
Salinity and propagule type affect initial A. Mendez, A. Bechtloff, L. C. Lee growth of two haplotypes of Phragmites & C. Reinhardt Adams australis Abstract: Coastal marshes are complex systems that provide many ecosystem services. Phragmites australis has invaded salt marshes all over the world, replacing vital native species. The native haplotype, I, is recently problematic for managers in Florida, replacing native freshwater marsh species. The nonnative European variety, M, is responsible for replacement of saltmarsh species across the US, but has not invaded Florida. Questions remain unanswered for the southeastern US, and comparisons of haplotype I and M could contribute to a predictive understanding. Morphological differences in haplotypes complicate these comparisons, and methods are needed to generate plants rapidly in the greenhouse. We performed a 2x2x2 factorial experiment to compare haplotypes (hap-I vs hap-M), salinity level (fresh vs 15ppt) and propagule type (rhizome vs plantlet). Shoot number and shoot height were collected three times. Only water type significantly affected plant height (p-value=0.01), with shorter plants in brackish water for both haplotypes. There was a significant interaction between haplotype and propagule type; hap-M was significantly taller as a rhizome, but hap-I had taller shoots as a plantlet. Overall, rhizome fragments grew taller shoots than plantlets in fresh water, but plantlets generated more shoots. The salt water treatment had only 1 rhizome establish, condemning any data collection on that set of replicates. Plantlets in salt water overall had decreased shoot height and few new shoots. The results of this pilot study allow researchers to propagate plant material more effectively for use in experiential studies to reach valuable conclusions in control and management of invasive species.
The Peninsular Florida Landscape Conservation Cooperative’s (PFLCC) Chérie Keller & Beth Stys Blueprint for Landscape Conservation Design
Abstract: Threats, such as urbanization, climate change, and others, cause cross-boundary, complex impacts to our natural resources that are difficult to address without coordinated, broad-scale plans. Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCC) are a national network of applied conservation science partnerships, developed to address broad-scale landscape conservation in response to such wide-ranging conservation needs and threats. Each LCC brings together resource managers and scientists from federal, state, and local governments, Tribes, universities, and interested public and private organizations. Together, they define and prioritize critical resources that comprise the ‘Blueprint’ for a vision of a future landscape that can sustain healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants, and cultural resources in harmony with human social and economic needs. Critical resources may include natural habitats, applied ecological principles (i.e., landscape connectivity), and cultural or socioeconomic values (i.e., historic landmarks, working lands). The PFLCC has completed early steps in their Landscape Conservation Design by developing a Blueprint (version 1.0) of collaboratively- chosen Priority Resources based on the Florida Cooperative Land Cover map and the Critical Lands and Waters Identification Project (CLIP - a collection of spatial data representing a broad range of natural resource priorities in Florida), and is currently developing Conservation Targets (indicators) to assess the current and future status of Priority Resources. The South Atlantic LCC has recently completed version 2.1 of their Blueprint, also developed with stakeholder input and spatial data. A joint effort of southeastern LCCs, the Southeastern Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS), is aggregating individual Blueprints into an even broader, regional conservation strategy.
Understanding coastal forest die-off in the Lower Suwannee NWR: influence of forest Katie Glodzik & David Kaplan geographical characteristics
Abstract: Sea level rise and reduced freshwater discharge are driving higher coastal salinity along the Big Bend, causing widespread coastal forest die-off and replacement by salt marsh. Coastal forest is dominated by cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) and red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), which can tolerate periods of moderate salinity, but become stressed from sustained higher salinity. Previous monitoring studies revealed that islands with die-off had more frequent tidal flooding and were at lower elevations, though there were instances of low- elevation islands supporting healthy vegetation. Higher die-off rates occurred during drought years, suggesting the importance of freshwater influence. Though models for forecasting sea level rise impacts exist, they rely primarily on elevation; the current study builds on these models to add additional variables. This study uses a remote sensing and GIS analysis to examine how forest geographical characteristics (elevation; distances to coast, tidal creek, forest edge; and distance and orientation to Suwannee River mouth) affect forest health in the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. Forest health was approximated using Landsat satellite data (30 x 30m) interpreted into Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and forest health classes through supervised classification. The study regressed health indicators against forest characteristics to determine 1) the most important predictors, 2) areas that diverge from the predicted relationship, and 3) whether there is evidence for heterogeneous groundwater discharge influencing forest health. The results are supplemented by data from groundwater wells installed at 5 sites, which helps reveal the importance of sea level versus freshwater influence in driving salinity.
Understanding trophic transfer of Jessica Gwinn, Will Patterson, Tyler ciguatoxin precursors in herbivorous reef Smith & Alison Robertson fish from St. Thomas US Virgin Islands
Abstract: Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a seafood-borne illness found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. CFP is contracted when fish contaminated with algal toxins (“ciguatoxins” or CTX) are consumed. Low toxicity precursors of CTX are produced by epiphytic microalgae (Gambierdiscus spp.) and enter the marine food web as they are consumed by herbivorous fish feeding on macroalgae and corals, which serve as substrate for Gambierdiscus. As the CTX precursors move to higher trophic levels they are biotransformed and can increase in toxicity. The transfer of algal metabolites to herbivorous fish represents a critical point in the fate of CTX in the marine food web. To understand this process, we studied three species of herbivores from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands including: ocean surgeonfish (Acanthurus bahianus), redband parrotfish (Sparisoma aurofrenatum), and stoplight parrotfish (Sparisoma viride). Stable isotope analysis was conducted to identify ecological differences that may relate to toxicity and showed overlapping trophic position of surgeonfish and redband parrotfish. However, preliminary CTX screening indicated that ocean surgeonfish constitute a higher proportion of toxic fish, which suggests that trophic position alone may not account for ciguatoxicity of herbivores. Our study further explores variable toxicity of these herbivores and the effects of diet, trophic position, size, and geographical location. Due to warming sea surface temperature, the prevalence of Gambierdicus and incidence of CFP are increasing in geographical extent and frequency in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. As such, it is critical to identify pathways of toxicity in subtropical ecosystems.
Effects of Deepwater Horizon oil exposure on Charles W. Martin, Lauris Hollis, Erick growth and herbivory of submerged vegetation Swenson, Eugene Turner
Abstract: Oil spills threaten the productivity of ecosystems through the degradation of coastal flora and the ecosystem services these plants provide. While lab and field investigations have quantified the response of numerous species of emergent vegetation to oil, the effects on submerged vegetation remain uncertain. Here, we discuss the results of several manipulative experiments to determine the impacts of oil exposure on Ruppia maritima, one of the most common species of submerged vegetation found in the region affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. We grew R. maritima in a range of manipulated sediment oil concentrations and measured changes in growth, reproductive activity, root characteristics, and uprooting force of plants. While no statistical differences were detected in growth, we found that plants in high oil concentrations had significantly reduced reproduction, altered root morphology, and required less force to uproot. Building on these results, we also found chemical composition, specifically plant C/N ratio, was altered. Oil exposure lowered C/N content of plants and subsequent herbivory assays indicated these plants were preferred by herbivores. These results indicate that substantial food web alterations may occur via enhanced consumption of oil-exposed plants and provides vital information necessary to assess the large-scale impact of oil on submerged macrophytes