ipl-logo

Biscayne Bay Lab Report

1551 Words7 Pages

Introduction Biodiversity plays a key a role in the ecosystem (Mace et al. 2011) and aquatic habitats are the most diverse in the world. The species that inhabit these ecosystems have evolved and developed adaptations over millions of years that have helped them survive. In this lab, we endeavored to gain a deeper understanding of the different variables that determine the species composition of two vastly different aquatic ecosystems in Biscayne Bay. Communities that are more biologically diverse seem to be more productive than communities that have less diversity, plus when disaster strikes they tend to maintain a certain level of stability. But, more evidence has been revealed that states that extinctions are changing the key processes …show more content…

(Hooper et al. 2012) The main objective of this lab was to determine the factors that affect the species and composition of the different aquatic communities on two beaches in the Biscayne Bay area as the test sites. Although, much research has been conducted on habitat complexity, there's still a lot to be learned before we will be able to have a comprehensive understanding of both the structural and mechanical complexity of certain habitats and its effect on ecological communities. (Tokeshi et al. 2011) The two sites on Biscayne Bay were chosen because of their close proximity to one another as well as the varying topographies of the different sites. Windy Beach, like its name, is a very windy area, which increases the possibility of sediment being stirred up. Plus, since there are only a couple of structures between Haulover Pass and this beach, there's more direct water flow coming from the ocean. It is also important to note that, sediment-stabilizing rocks, especially on the east side, protect Windy Beach. Sheltered Beach, on the other hand, doesn't have a direct path of the water flow from Haulover. It's …show more content…

1, there is a wide variety of aquatic life that calls the Biscayne Bay area home. Using the CPUE method, we discovered the following species: Barracuda, Mojarra, Bay Anchovy, Lane Snapper, Needlefish, Schoolmaster Fish, Crab, Hermit Crab, Puffer, Permit, Checkered Puffer, Silverside, and Grunt living just off the shores of Sheltered Beach and Windy Beach. We also found that the population of Mojarra was significantly higher than the other type of fish, followed by Silverside, Barracudas, and Bay Anchovies.

Table 1: Variety of Aquatic Life in the Biscayne Bay Area

Measurements taken at the study site show that the majority of fish caught were under 50mm in length (Table 2). In addition, the majority of the bigger species of fish were approximately 150 mm in length or larger.
Table 2: Fish Populations and Average Length

Majority (approximately 675) of the fish were captured at Sheltered Beach, with approximately 350 fish caught at Windy Beach. Also, there was more diversity in the species of fish found in Sheltered Beach and Windy Beach was home to the majority of the barracudas that were

Show More
Related
589 Words | 3 Pages

By creating experimental beach scenarios, negative and standard, Karpanty, et al, increased and decreased the amount of surface eggs to compare the availability and sufficiency to refuel Red Knots in the Delaware Bay area. They were able to determine that horseshoe crab eggs were sufficient and that Red Knots were not excluded when aggressive shorebirds also foraged on the experimental beach areas. The feeding times were mainly during the day and until high tide. It was observed that Red Knots foraged in high-density areas and along the wrack line, where horseshoe crab eggs were visible and easily accessible. Once that area was depleted, the Red Knots would move on to other horseshoe crab nesting areas.

Read More
252 Words | 2 Pages

As you may know, blue crabs help support the fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay. However, over-harvesting has taken a toll on the population. Over-harvesting is most affecting the female species of blue crabs. According to the Chesapeake Bay Program, in

Read More
863 Words | 4 Pages

METHODS This study is focusing in Australian waters, especially in Queensland waters. Most sightings are occurred in southeast region around Moreton Bay, which is declared as a marine park in 1993 and have covered more than 3000 km2 multiple use marine protected area. This marine park has four large sand islands (Moreton, Bribie, N. Stradbroke, and S. Stradbroke Island), where the majority of sightings in Queensland occurred on its waters. (Chilvers 2005).

Read More
476 Words | 2 Pages

Now they can regulate water flow of the pond in case there are weather complications. During the walk to the beach we also encountered a group of turkeys, also well known in this area as well. On the trail and when arriving to the beach there were many information boards about the local animals as well as the area. For example this small peninsula is known as Jessup’s neck with Maritime forests which are somewhat dense forests that were used for weather protection by local settlers since, building materials were limited. Other common areas are Dunes, Salt marsh, rock beaches, sand beaches and of course water.

Read More
1368 Words | 6 Pages

For this field excursion the coastal prairies and dune communities of the BML were explored. Community composition and interactions in these areas were areas of emphasis on the excursion, as well as morphological adaptations organisms use to survive in these landscapes. These coastal environments can be a harsh place for species to make a living. Factors such as solar radiation, desiccation, sand showering, coastal winds, nutrient deficient soil, invasive species, and structural instability are all factors species in these areas have to cope with. However, despite these challenges these communities have found a way to thrive and are teeming with life.

Read More
1327 Words | 6 Pages

This year five of us, Robert Hawley and Dr Season, of Cleveland; R. A. LeBlond and John Deasy of Cincinnati, and myself, fished Blackstone and Simms lakes, both lying a little way inland from the Georgian Bay and both well stocked with bass and mascalonge. In a week 's fishing, besides the bass, we took about thirty mascalonge, Dr. Season landing the largest one, which weighted near twenty pounds. “The Georgian Bay and its tributary lakes and streams are amongst the beauty spots of the continent. The lakes are mostly forest bound with shores of granite rock and studded with emerald crowned little isles. Even when one catches fish - and every angler knows there are such days in the best of waters to troll the shores slowly and thread the channels is a constant delight.

Read More
874 Words | 4 Pages

Distribution and habitats: This species has an extremely limited geographic range and is originally found only at select sites around the coasts of 33 islands in the Banggai Archipelago of Indonesia. It is estimated that the total suitable habitat available within the Banggai cardinalfish’s range amounts to a mere 34 square kilometers. The Banggai cardinalfish are more common in shallow waters at 1.5–2.5 m depth inhabiting various habitats such as seagrass beds, coral reefs in association with the seagrass Enhalus acoroidesand and long spined Sea Urchins, Diadema

Read More
759 Words | 4 Pages

But it is expanding. Some major types of fish caught there are yellowfin and skipjack

Read More
768 Words | 4 Pages

Daelyn Sagert January 30, 2018 Comp. 2 4th hour Compare and Contrast Essay Freshwater Fishing vs. Sea Fishing Saltwater fishing and freshwater fishing both have their own unique, and sometimes annoying qualities. Neither of them are really better than the other one that can be proven as such. Everyone has their own opinion over the “which is better” topic, and to just bluntly answer that question come, neither of them are better than the other (K, Jay n.p.). The biggest dependency of which one you like more is where you live.

Read More
764 Words | 4 Pages

Being able to raise and observe different species of marine life in a tank is good to protect a variety of marine species. One can observe how they act toward each other and many other interesting behaviors. This paper will be describing three topics, Beginning with Saltwater fish, The Arc - eye Hawkfish (parachirrhites arcatus) and Filefish. Eye Hawkfish and Filefish are two types of marine fish. There are certain things to consider when keeping fish in salt water tanks, to understand and start with the basics, here is what needs to be done first to have a saltwater aquarium.

Read More
157 Words | 1 Pages

During our last two summer holidays, my sister and I took a trip to Nova Scotia, Canada. The greatest tides in the world, we heard, are in the Bay of Gundy between Maine and Canada. Last Tuesday, Mr.Pitts explained that at low tide water retreats, uncovering many fascinating sights. He said,"You can see crabs, starfish, urchins, clams, and many varieties of seaweed. "

Read More
602 Words | 3 Pages

The main animals and plants seen here are ghost crab, porpoises. [3] c. Estuaries and salt marshes: These are located nearer to the coast line and protects animals in their development phases. Estuaries mostly seen on the coast of rivers, and salt marshes located on the shores of oceans. The biggest estuaries is Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. Animals like blue crab, marsh shrimp, and fiddler crabs are seen in estuaries and salt marshes.

Read More
1331 Words | 6 Pages

Area of Palm beach were much larger than Kirra beach almost double. Season, weather condition and time of day¬ – different conditions Time was a constant restraint, as the field study was only for a day so it was hard to collect all the data in that day. Area of the Kirra beach were smaller that Palm beach by double. Season, weather condition and time of day - different conditions   3.0 Statement of findings 3.1.1 Location Point danger Kirra beach Palm beach South 28 09 861 28 10 036 28 06 929 East 153

Read More
1184 Words | 5 Pages

Through service learning and volunteering, I am involved with several Louisiana organizations that have presented me with the chance to engage in fieldwork, data collection and analysis of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The Louisiana wetland system is one of the most dynamic and important ecosystems, as it serves as bird breeding grounds, storm buffers and is the source of a large portion of our nation’s shrimp and

Read More
1662 Words | 7 Pages

Certain species have a remarkably large impact in their communities. From the basic structure, balance, and the natural flow of the system, these species help determine the ecological functioning and are known as Keystone species. The impact they have on their communities is greater than would be expected based on their relative abundance and total biomass (Power et al., 1996, p.609). There are more than only one type of keystone species and they all influence their communities differently (Mills et al., 1993, P.220). The removal or extinction of a keystone species can alter the complete function of an ecosystem and can lead to the loss of other species.

Read More

More about Biscayne Bay Lab Report

Related Topics

Open Document