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Influence of Freshwater Inflow on the Abundance and Distribution of Decapod Zooplankton in the Caloosahatchee River, Florida
Title
Influence of Freshwater Inflow on the Abundance and Distribution of Decapod Zooplankton in the Caloosahatchee River, Florida.
Creator
Cook, Jaime Elizabeth
Abstract / Description
In order to understand the influence of variable freshwater inflow to estuaries and subsequent fluctuations in salinity on zooplankton community structure and larval recruitment, the distribution and abundance of decapod crustacean larvae in the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary, Florida were quantified using monthly plankton tows for two years. Larvae preferring high salinities (Callinectes sapidus, Dissodactylus spp., Menippe mercenaria, Petrolisthes armatus, and Pinnotheres maculatus) were...
Show moreIn order to understand the influence of variable freshwater inflow to estuaries and subsequent fluctuations in salinity on zooplankton community structure and larval recruitment, the distribution and abundance of decapod crustacean larvae in the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary, Florida were quantified using monthly plankton tows for two years. Larvae preferring high salinities (Callinectes sapidus, Dissodactylus spp., Menippe mercenaria, Petrolisthes armatus, and Pinnotheres maculatus) were concentrated near the mouth of the river; euryhaline larvae (Eurypanopeus depressus and Panopeus spp.) occurred abundantly throughout the river; and the low-salinity species Rhithropanopeus harrisii was found upstream. Total larval abundance peaked in late-spring, prior to the onset of the wet season. Additionally, C. sapidus, E. depressus, M. mercenaria, Panopeus spp. and R. harrisii exhibited significant shifts downstream with the onset of the wet season. P. armatus was the only species to demonstrate significant changes in total abundance among calendar seasons, with significant increases occurring during the spring. Species-specific centers of abundance and total abundance demonstrated significant correlations with both average continuous inflow and daily discrete inflow for lags of up to 120 days prior to sampling. C. sapidus, E. depressus, M. mercenaria, P. armatus, Panopeus spp. and R. harrisii were negatively correlated with inflow. Center of abundance and total abundance of Dissodactylus spp. and P. maculatus were positively correlated with daily discrete inflow. These commensal crabs did not respond in the same way to changes in salinity as expected based on the other species surveyed. These results suggest the importance of considering the impacts of freshwater discharges on both the spatial and seasonal variation in larval supply within the estuary.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
Cook_fgcu_1743_10082
Format
Document (PDF)
Analysis of Human Trafficking in Florida: Personnel, Procedures and Referrals
Title
Analysis of Human Trafficking in Florida: Personnel, Procedures and Referrals.
Creator
Macbeth, Katie Erin-Rose
Abstract / Description
Slavery and trafficking in persons, either for sexual exploitation or for labor, has taken place in different forms throughout history. Most recently, Florida has been identified as a hub for such activity, citing one of the highest incidences of human trafficking in the country. My research shows that through investigation of the number of referrals compared to the limited number of prosecutions exhibits that human trafficking is a growing problem but offenders are rarely charged. More...
Show moreSlavery and trafficking in persons, either for sexual exploitation or for labor, has taken place in different forms throughout history. Most recently, Florida has been identified as a hub for such activity, citing one of the highest incidences of human trafficking in the country. My research shows that through investigation of the number of referrals compared to the limited number of prosecutions exhibits that human trafficking is a growing problem but offenders are rarely charged. More specifically, this research examines the number of referrals and how few of them are indicted under the category of human trafficking.
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Identifier
Macbeth_fgcu_1743_10091
Format
Document (PDF)
Effect of Urbanization on Predatory Defense Mechanisms of Southern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus punctatus) Populations in South Florida
Title
Effect of Urbanization on Predatory Defense Mechanisms of Southern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus punctatus) Populations in South Florida.
Creator
Richards, Tesla, College of Arts & Sciences
Abstract / Description
The effect of urbanization on native wildlife is mostly negative. For example, the creation of urban habitats results in the loss of wild habitats, which can increase fragmentation, limit species dispersal and reduce access to resources. However, in some circumstances, urbanization can have positive effects on native wildlife. For example, some opportunistic and generalized species are able to tolerate urbanization by taking advantage of novel niches with reduced competition. Diadophis...
Show moreThe effect of urbanization on native wildlife is mostly negative. For example, the creation of urban habitats results in the loss of wild habitats, which can increase fragmentation, limit species dispersal and reduce access to resources. However, in some circumstances, urbanization can have positive effects on native wildlife. For example, some opportunistic and generalized species are able to tolerate urbanization by taking advantage of novel niches with reduced competition. Diadophis punctatus punctatus (Southern Ringneck Snakes) are a small, cryptic species found throughout the southeastern United States that thrive in both urban and wild habitats, indicating the snake’s tolerance to urbanization. Urbanization may have expanded D. p. punctatus’ niche. These snakes may be able to take advantage of the climate and landscape, availability of novel prey, and/ or refuge from predators within urban habitats. In this study, I examined if D. p. punctatus used urban habitats as refuge from predators by comparing the frequency of predator bite marks on clay snake models placed in urban and wild habitats. The snake models resembled different aspects of D. p. punctatus’ morphology and behavior. I also analyzed the placement of predator bite marks on the snake models to determine the function (i.e., aposematic, parasematic, or deimatic signaling) of D. p. punctatus’ tail-coiling display. The rates of predator attacks on the snake models were similar between urban and wild habitats, indicating D. p. punctatus used urban habitats for reasons other than a refuge from predators. In addition, this study supports the claim that D. p. punctatus’ tail-coiling display was an anti-predatory mechanism. Predators avoided the tail on snake models with red coloration and coiled tails, suggesting D. p. punctatus’ tail-coiling display may be used as a deimatic signal. Results of this study appear to contradict previous findings about the tail-coiling display. However, it is likely that the use of D. p. punctatus’ anti-predatory signal depends on the context. These snakes seem to show multi-modal signaling and flexible defense mechanisms, which may be important characteristics of urbanophiles.
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Date Issued
2017-07-27
Identifier
Richards_fgcu_1743_10263
Format
Document (PDF)
ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATOR’S PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR NEEDS TO BEST SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITY
Title
ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATOR’S PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR NEEDS TO BEST SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITY.
Creator
Rolfe, Allison Elizabeth, College of Arts & Sciences
Abstract / Description
According to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2010), the demand for STEM-educated teachers in the United States is increasing. With limited time and space in the general classroom setting, Environmental Education (EE) is becoming increasingly more important to the education system. The Environmental Education Alliance of Southwest Florida (EE Alliance) is a community of practice that relies on participation of local experts to create successful environmental...
Show moreAccording to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2010), the demand for STEM-educated teachers in the United States is increasing. With limited time and space in the general classroom setting, Environmental Education (EE) is becoming increasingly more important to the education system. The Environmental Education Alliance of Southwest Florida (EE Alliance) is a community of practice that relies on participation of local experts to create successful environmental education programs. This study identifies the needs of environmental education in Southwest Florida through the EE Alliance by eliciting the perspectives of local EE professionals. A survey was sent to a total of 219 participants of the EE Alliance listserv; 50 responses were received. This study collects quantitative data from Likerttype survey response as well as qualitative data obtained from open response comments sections. The study identifies the perceived needs of material resources (resources that can be bought with funding), human resources (the knowledge, amount, and adequacy of staff), and social resources (the ability to create partnerships, relationships, and professional development opportunities) in order to run successful environmental education programs.
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Date Issued
2017
Identifier
Rolfe_fgcu_1743_10265
Format
Document (PDF)