Download or read book An Investigation Into the Habitat Behavior and Opportunistic Feeding Strategies of the Protected Goliath Grouper Epinephelus Itajara written by Angela Collins and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It was the goal of this project to provide information regarding demographics, movement patterns, effects of catch and release angling, and feeding behavior of Atlantic Goliath Grouper within the central eastern Gulf of Mexico. The majority of research involving Atlantic Goliath Grouper began after the stock was already overfished, resulting in the absence of an existing "baseline" with which to compare current population parameters. Replication of visual surveys over a range of depths and habitat types provided an index of abundance for specific sites, and allowed for quantification of the size distribution of individuals. Atlantic Goliath Grouper were most abundant at high relief, high volume artificial reefs within the study area, and the majority of individuals observed were 80 - 160 cm in total length. Knowledge of fish movement, behavior and habitat associations has been used to exploit many species of fish; thus, this knowledge is critical for the creation of regulatory guidelines regarding conservation. Protection from harvest does not immediately imply that fishing mortality is negligible. As opportunistic ambush predators, Atlantic Goliath Grouper are relatively easy to catch on hook and line, and the species is often targeted for sport or caught incidentally during angling efforts for other reef fish species. Acoustic tracking allowed for continuous monitoring of individuals for several years after catch and release events. Barotrauma severity increased with capture depth, but immediate mortality was not observed during this study. Additionally, the length of total monitoring period was not affected by the severity of barotrauma, which suggests that with proper handling, Atlantic Goliath Grouper are not subject to high levels of release mortality in the study area (at depths

Download or read book Night Roosts of Bald Eagles Haliaeetus Leucocephalus Wintering in Northern Arizona written by Prabin K. Joshi and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were delisted from threatened or endangered status in 2007 in the conterminous states because of their encouraging comeback throughout most of North America. However the recent court decision on 1 May 2008 forced USFWS to issue a rule to amend the regulations for the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife by designating bald eagles in the Sonoran Desert of central Arizona (also called the ‘southwest population’) as threatened under the authority of Endangered Species Act of 1973. The southwest population is believed to exist in an ecological setting that is unusual and unique among bald eagle populations. Although it is unknown if the southwest population differs markedly from other bald eagle populations in its genetic characteristics, morphological and behavioral differences suggest that genetic differences may exist. Bald eagles are still protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Acts. Bald eagles are habitat generalists and opportunistic feeders (they typically take the easiest and most abundant prey regardless of class or whether live or dead), and roost in a single or group of trees in winter. A roost is an individual or group of trees where ≥1 bald eagle(s) perch overnight. We hypothesized that bald eagles selected night roosts during winter that provided physical safety (e.g., hiding cover), thermal protection, and close proximity to food sources. Our objective was to describe habitat characteristics of night roosts used by migratory bald eagles wintering in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests of northern Arizona. Bald eagles are not usually thought to be a migratory species but some populations migrate while other eagles stay on or near their breeding territories yearround. We considered habitat use at two scales: microhabitat (habitat characteristics within a 30-m diameter area centered at the roost tree measured on ground-based plots) and macrohabitat (habitat characteristics within a 90-m diameter plot centered at the roost tree based on spatial data layers from a geographic information system). Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs and Arizona Game and Fish Department captured and fitted 10 bald eagles (≥3.70 kg, mean and standard error [SE]: 4.75 ± 0.22 kg; 7 adults, 1 subadult, and 2 juveniles) with 70-g, solar-charged satellite Platform Transmitter Terminals at Camp Navajo, Flagstaff, Arizona in 2005 and 2007. We measured microhabitat characteristics of 54 night roosts for 7 bald eagles (6 adults, 1 subadult; mean number of locations per eagle and SE: 8 ± 2) in ponderosa pine forests and ≥500 m apart (for spatial independence). We paired each roost site with a randomlyselected plot ≥500 m away. Random plots had to be in a ponderosa pine stand with at least one tree ≥20 cm diameter at breast height (dbh; large enough for eagles to perch overnight). To measure macrohabitat characteristics, we selected 200 night roosts (mean and SE: 25 ± 11 roosts per eagle; range: 7 to 43) for 8 bald eagles (6 adults, 1 subadult, 1 juvenile) that were located within ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona. Spatial data layers we used were mapped by the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Analysis (ERA) project with a 90-m resolution raster dataset. We generated 200 random points within ponderosa pine stands ≥500-m apart for comparison points and measured the same characteristics as for night roosts. We developed 13 and 11 a priori models for microhabitat and macrohabitat use, respectively. We used Akaike’s Information Criteria or Akaike’s Information Criteria adjusted for small sample sizes to evaluate models describing night roosts. Models with ∆AICc ≤2 were considered the best approximating models. Microhabitat analyses showed that trees used as night roosts were larger dbh (roost: 75.2 ± 2.2 cm, random: 58.2 ± 1.5), on steeper slopes (roost: 12.4 ± 2.2 percent, random: 6.6 ± 1.1) and surrounded by greater basal area (roost: 19.7 ± 8.0 m2 /ha, random: 17.7 ± 7.8), higher densities of large trees (roost: 61.9 ± 4.8 trees/ha, random: 39.6 ± 4.5) and lower densities of small trees (roost: 137.3 ± 17.4 trees/ha, random: 158 ± 24.0) than comparable characteristics of randomly-selected sites. Mean dbh for trees in the plot was larger (61.9 ± 4.8 cm) than for random plots (39.6 ± 4.5 cm). Roost plots were more likely to face east (67%) than west (33%). The global model best predicted use of a roost by bald eagles (wi = 0.998); other models performed poorly in comparison (∆AICc ≥12.34). Most (94%) of the large trees in roost plots were co-dominant or dominant and had ≥50% live crown ratio (91%). We used a post-hoc analysis to find a more parsimonious model to describe night roost characteristics. The top 3 models (∆AICc ≤3.94) that best predicted use of a roost by eagles included dbh of the largest tree in each plot, density of large trees, density of small trees, slope, eastness (Sin [aspect in degrees] transformed aspect using trigonometric function), tree size variability, and number of trees with live crown ratios ≥75%. At the macrohabitat scale, eagles used roosts that were closer to highways and interstates and farther from lakes than randomly-selected points. Since highways and interstates are believed to provide major sources of food (e.g., road-killed mammals) for bald eagles during winter, eagle roosts appeared to be located in close proximity to food sources. Eagles selected north-facing roosts which may offer protection from southwest winds. Twelve hotspots for bald eagles (used by ≥1 eagle ≥5 times) were identified. Hotspots used by multiple eagles were on generally northeastfacing, on greater slopes and closer to lakes, highways, and interstates. Location and structure of night roosts seemed to provide physical safety, better thermal cover, and sources of food to bald eagles wintering in northern Arizona.

Download or read book Islands in the Sand written by Daniel A. McCarthy and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-10-22 with total page 480 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nearshore hardbottom reefs of Florida’s east coast are used by over 1100 species of fishes, invertebrates, algae, and sea turtles. These rocky reefs support reproduction, settlement, and habitat use, and are energy sources and sinks. They are also buried by beach renourishment projects in which artificial reefs are used for mitigation. This comprehensive book is for research scientists and agency personnel, yet accessible to interested laypersons including beachfront residents and water-users. An unprecedented collection of research information and often stunning color photographs are assembled including over 1250 technical citations and 127 figures. These shallow reefs are part of a mosaic of coastal shelf habitats including estuarine seagrasses and mangroves, and offshore coral reefs. These hardbottom habitats are federally designated as Essential Fish Habitats - Habitats of Particular Concern and are important feeding areas for federally-protected sea turtles. Organismal and assemblage responses to natural and man-made disturbances, including climate change, are examined in the context of new research and management opportunities for east Florida’s islands in the sand.

Download or read book Habitats and Biota of the Gulf of Mexico Before the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill written by C. Herb Ward and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-06-26 with total page 948 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is open access under a CC BY-NC 2.5 license. The Gulf of Mexico is an open and dynamic marine ecosystem rich in natural resources but heavily impacted by human activities, including agricultural, industrial, commercial and coastal development. The Gulf of Mexico has been continuously exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons for millions of years from natural oil and gas seeps on the sea floor, and more recently from oil drilling and production activities located in the water near and far from shore. Major accidental oil spills in the Gulf are infrequent; two of the most significant include the Ixtoc I blowout in the Bay of Campeche in 1979 and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010. Unfortunately, baseline assessments of the status of habitats and biota in the Gulf of Mexico before these spills either were not available, or the data had not been systematically compiled in a way that would help scientists assess the potential short-term and long-term effects of such events. This 2-volume series compiles and summarizes thousands of data sets showing the status of habitats and biota in the Gulf of Mexico before the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Volume 2 covers historical data on commercial and recreational fisheries, with an analysis of marketing trends and drivers; ecology, populations and risks to birds, sea turtles and marine mammals in the Gulf; and diseases and mortalities of fish and other animals that inhabit the Gulf of Mexico.

Download or read book Travels in Central America written by Arthur Morelet and published by . This book was released on 1871 with total page 454 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book An Ecological Characterization of the Tampa Bay Watershed written by Steven H. Wolfe and published by . This book was released on 1990 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations Biology Research and Management written by Yvonne Sadovy de Mitcheson and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-12-10 with total page 639 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reef fish spawning aggregations, ranging from small groups to many tens of thousands of individuals, are spectacular but poorly known natural phenomena whereby fish assemble at specific times and locations to spawn. For some species these large groups may be the only form of reproduction, the high fish numbers briefly giving a false impression of stability and abundance—an ‘illusion of plenty’. They are often a focus for intensive seasonal fishing because of their predictability and because many important commercial fishes form them. Highly vulnerable to overexploitation, many aggregations and their associated fisheries, have disappeared or are in decline. Few are effectively managed or incorporated into protected areas. Aggregations are not well understood by fishery scientists, managers and conservationists and their significance little appreciated by fishers or the wider public. To ensure their persistence to replenish important fisheries in coral ecosystems, maintain their ecosystem function and continue to delight divers, a significant change in perspective is needed to foster protection and management. This book provides comprehensive and practical coverage of the biology, study and management of reef fish aggregations, exploring their how, when, where, and why. It explores ways to better protect, study, manage and conserve them, while identifying key data gaps and questions. The text is extensively illustrated with many unique, never before published, photographs and graphics. Case studies on over 20 interesting and important fishes are included, outlining their biology and fisheries and highlighting major concerns and challenges.

Download or read book Groupers of the World written by Matthew T. Craig and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2024-07-31 with total page 426 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the sixteenth issue in the FAO series of worldwide annotated and illustrated catalogues of major groups of organisms that enter marine fisheries. It contains the 159 species in 15 genera known from the serranid subfamily Epinephelinae, including one species new to science. There is an introductory section with general remarks on habitat and fisheries of the family, a glossary of technical terms, an illustrated key to each genus and all species, and a detailed account for all species. Species accounts include an illustration of each species, scientific and vernacular names, and information on habitat, biology, fisheries, size, relevant literature, and distribution.

Download or read book Biodiversity in Enclosed Seas and Artificial Marine Habitats written by G. Relini and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2007-06-10 with total page 265 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The main themes of the Symposium were biodiversity in enclosed and semi-enclosed seas and artificial habitats, and the restoration of degraded systems. These themes are highly relevant today. The papers dealing with the first theme represent current research and concerns about marine biodiversity in enclosed seas. The papers in the second theme represent a synthesis of up-to-date knowledge on artificial habitats.

Download or read book The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries written by Gabriella Bianchi and published by CABI. This book was released on 2008 with total page 377 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems is high on regional, national and international agendas and central to the implementation of international agreements on biological diversity, responsible fisheries and fish stock management. Since 2001, when political commitments were made to implement the ecosystem approach, countries have begun to incorporate ecosystem considerations into their fisheries management and have met with varied success." "The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries covers both theoretical andapplied aspects of sustainable management, with a particular emphasis on reviewing concepts and addressing implementation issues in the form of case studies from around the world. Personal experiences are considered from diverse backgrounds and discuss the constraints encountered, strategies identified and best practices to facilitate further implementation."--BOOK JACKET.

Download or read book National Artificial Reef Plan written by and published by . This book was released on 1986 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Shark Research written by Jeffrey C Carrier and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2018-09-03 with total page 408 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the last decade, the study of shark biology has benefited from the development, refinement, and rapid expansion of novel techniques and advances in technology. These have given new insight into the fields of shark genetics, feeding, foraging, bioenergetics, imaging, age and growth, movement, migration, habitat preference, and habitat use. This pioneering book, written by experts in shark biology, examines technologies such as autonomous vehicle tracking, underwater video approaches, molecular genetics techniques, and accelerometry, among many others. Each detailed chapter offers new insights and promises for future studies of elasmobranch biology, provides an overview of appropriate uses of each technique, and can be readily extended to other aquatic fish and marine mammals and reptiles. Including chapter authors who were pioneers in developing some of the technologies discussed in the book, this book serves as the first single-source reference with in-depth coverage of techniques appropriate for the laboratory and field study of sharks, skates, and rays. It concludes with a unique section on Citizen Science and its application to studies of shark biology. This is a must-read for any marine biologist or scientist working in the field of shark biology, as well as marine biology students and graduates.

Download or read book Sharks and Their Relatives II written by Jeffrey C. Carrier and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2010-03-09 with total page 748 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the award-winning first volume, The Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives, published in 2004, the field has witnessed tremendous developments in research, rapid advances in technology, and the emergence of new investigators beginning to explore issues of biodiversity, distribution, physiology, and ecology in ways that eluded more traditional

Download or read book Marine Faunal Diversity in India written by Krishnamoorthy Venkataraman and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2014-11-21 with total page 542 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: More than 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, making it an ideal and abundant resource for studying species diversity, faunal communities, and ecosystems. India’s massive coastline (5,044 miles) means it plays a major role in housing these faunal communities. Of the 32 animal phyla, 15 are represented in India’s marine ecosystem, covering more than 15,000 species. Marine and coastal ecosystems of India provide supporting services in the form of wide range of habitats. Major ecosystems such as estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, lagoons, seaweeds and sea grasses serve as nurseries for both inshore and offshore fishes and others, many of which are supposed to be commercially exploited. Marine Faunal Diversity in India describes different marine faunal group ranges from sponges, corals, mollusks, crabs, fishes, reptiles, birds, marine mammals, mangrove fauna and tsunami impact on marine faunal diversity. The chapters, written by reputed experts in their respective fields, illustrate diversity and distribution of marine faunal communities. Key aspects of the ecology and conservation of this important ecosystem are also discussed. Marine Faunal Diversity in India provides marine biologists and related researchers with access to the latest research and field studies from this major region. Provides the latest field research on marine faunal diversity throughout the vast and species-rich Indian region Brings together expertise from top marine biology researchers in the country Covers a diverse array of aquatic environments, including coastal and island areas Discusses conservation ecology of marine faunal groups

Download or read book The IXTOC I Oil Spill written by Craig H. Hooper and published by . This book was released on 1982 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Tropical Snappers And Groupers written by Jeffrey Joseph Polovina and published by Westview Press. This book was released on 1987-01-05 with total page 688 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book A Handbook for the Identification of Cephalopod Beaks written by Malcolm R. Clarke and published by . This book was released on 1986 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This definitive work, based on collections made throughout the world, represents the collaborative effort of most of the world's experts on living cephalopods. The book provides detailed instructions for collecting, transporting, examining, and identifying the lower 'beaks' or mandibles of cephalopods, including almost all known living genera. The many new illustrations, keys, descriptions, and measurements mark this book as a major advance over previous handbooks and make it an essential reference work.