Project Summary

1. Project ID	�
Name	Ecological Characterization of Wetland Restoration, Critical Nursery Habitat, and Artificial Reefs
Region	Gulf of Mexico Region
State	FL
Location	City of Sarasota, Town of Longboat Key
Date of this update	8/24/00

2. Problem(s) addressed (check one or more)

Habitat Restoration/Protection	�
Wetlands
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)	�

3. Project description (100 words or less)

A. Description of the Issue to be Resolved by the Project

To assemble scientific justification to guide the process of setting achievable habitat improvement targets and designing restoration projects ( e.g., wetland restoration and artificial reefs) that result in documented successes. Biological monitoring as proposed for this project will provide the scientific basis to measure the success of present and future restoration actions for improving fishery resources. Critical nursery areas will be prioritized for protection, restoration, and creation. Productivity enhancements will be recommended for artificial reefs and the features which maximize fishery productivity in habitat restoration sites will be characterized. The Sarasota Bay National Estuary Partners have $90,000 allocated for the proposed study. An additional $20,000 is requested from the Gulf of Mexico partners to complete the second seasonal sampling scheduled for the identification of critical nursery habitat and assessment of habitat restoration sites.

B. Description of the Proposed Project

The project entails three broad tasks: identification of critical nursery habitat for fish and shellfish, artificial reef monitoring, and assessment of the ecological status of established restoration sites.

Within critical nursery habitat identification, a critical nursery habitat classification scheme based on a combination of stationary and dynamic habitat elements which are likely to control habitat utilization by juvenile fish will be developed. It is envisioned that approximately nine habitat types will be utilized (e.g., upland shoreline with mangrove fringe, marsh embayments, seagrass beds, open water shoals, etc.). Each element of the habitat features will be queried, compiled, and mapped in Arc View throughout the system. Critical habitat types will be identified and ranked in order to determine the proportion available for fishery utilization. Experimental design and monitoring protocols will be established from existing monitoring programs employed by the Florida Marine Research Institute. An array of 24 fixed station sampling sites representative of approximately 8 critical habitat types will be established. Three replicate stations will be established for each critical habitat type. Two seasonal faunal surveys will be conducted at the 24 sampling sites using appropriate field gear (seines, pushnets, dropnets). Two successive sweeps of all selected sites during each of two seasonal periods will be performed. Fish abundance and dominant species will be used to characterize selected critical habitat types. Statistical analyses will be performed according to guild groups. The value and rank of priority of critical habitat types by reference to abundance and diversity of key guild groups will be used to identify selected critical habitats in terms of priority for protection and restoration.

Artificial reef monitoring will be conducted using a point census and linear transect method. Point census locations will focus on specific areas of each reef which contains a unique material (reef balls, PVC reef, culverts, etc.). Ten point census locations will be utilized involving a 5 minute count of target species observed within one meter of the count area. Four linear transects will be monitored. Three replicate surveys will be conducted in each of two seasons resulting in 6 observations for each station. The data will be analyzed for density, diversity, and richness, based upon the material type, location, and season. Reef characteristics which appear most productive will be characterized and recommendations developed for guiding new artificial reefs and enhancing existing reef sites.

The ecological assessment of habitat restoration sites will follow the same general outline as the critical habitat assessment task (phase I). Criteria will be established to select 8 distinguished habitat types from within established wetland restoration sites for fishery sampling. Proximity will be considered to phase I sites which may serve a dual role as reference sites. Sampling protocols as outline above will be utilized in this phase as well. An array of 25 fixed stations sampling sites representatives of the 8 selected habitat types will be sampled utilizing a center bag seine with pivot pole, center bag seine, pushnet, and fixed frame dropnet. Sampling will be conducted in each of two seasonal periods which coincide with phase I. Two successive sweeps during each of the seasonal periods will be conducted over a total of ten sampling days. Fishery utilization within selected restoration sites and selected critical habitats. Guilds will be formulated which distinguish species similar in their functional use (e.g. nursery, resident, transient). The value of stationary habitat features will be estimated by reference to abundance, diversity, and key nursery guilds. Design elements and stationary features will be recommended to maximize productivity within wetland restoration site.

The Sarasota Bay National Estuary Partners have $90,000 allocated for the proposed study. An additional $20,000 is requested from the Gulf of Mexico partners to complete the second seasonal sampling scheduled for the identification of critical nursery habitat and assessment of habitat restoration sites.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list) Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

Cash

Federal

Non Federal

State government
Local government
Private industry
Public interest groups

Total


In-Kind Services (hours, equipment, or other forms of assistance and estimated dollar value)

Volunteers (number of people and hours, and estimated dollar value)

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

9. Project Status

• Initiation date:
• Completion date:
• Current stage (Initiated - I, Underway - U or Completed - C)

10. Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments