Comparison of nekton utilization of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) marsh based on marsh size and degree of isolation from like habitat : do size and site location matter?
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- David L. Meyer (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
- Advisor
- Courtney Hackney
Abstract: Influence of salt marsh size and proximity to like habitat on nekton use was examined.
Comparisons were made among six naturally occurring isolated island marshes, three
each of small (~400-1,000 m ) and large 2 (~3,000-10,000 m2) island size classes and six
paired mainland marshes (at least 76,000 m2 in size). Two species representing opposites
for dispersal ability and life history strategies, mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) and
pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), were used as representative species to examine population
patterns. Fundulus heteroclitus exclusively utilized marsh habitats and not adjacent
shallow flats during high tide while L. rhomboides utilized both. At high tide island
marshes acted as a refuge for F. heteroclitus among shallow water flat habitats. Densities
of marsh dependent species, including F. heteroclitus, were an order of magnitude lower
within the large island compared to the mainland marshes, and nonexistent within small
island marshes. Similarities among mainland and large island marshes for larvae and
disparity in juvenile F. heteroclitus abundances suggested a bottleneck constrained adult
and juvenile F. heteroclitus populations at large island marshes. Differential predation
rates among marsh types significantly contributed to disparities in young of year
abundance. Patterns of abundance suggest two crucial time periods for F. heteroclitus
population maintenance, one during late spring/early summer spawn-recruitment and the
second during the dispersal/emigration during the late fall/winter time period when water
temperatures are colder and predator levels are significantly reduced. In contrast, L.
rhomboides recruitment and dispersal occurs simultaneously during the late fall/winter
when low predator levels create an optimal time for recruitment to estuaries.
Comparison of nekton utilization of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) marsh based on marsh size and degree of isolation from like habitat : do size and site location matter?
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Created on 1/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- A Dissertation Submitted to the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Fishes--Habitat, Lagodon rhomboides--Ecology, Mummichog--Ecology, Nekton--Environmental aspects--North Carolina, Predatory marine animals--Ecology, Salt marsh animals--North Carolina, Salt marsh ecology--North Carolina
- Subjects
- Salt marsh ecology -- North Carolina
- Salt marsh animals -- North Carolina
- Lagodon rhomboides -- Ecology
- Mummichog -- Ecology
- Nekton -- Environmental aspects -- North Carolina
- Fishes -- Habitat
- Predatory marine animals -- Ecology