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FISC - Biology Highlights - 2008Realtime Nonindigenous Species Data Displayed with Google MapTo see the distribution maps for eight invasive species, go to:
Trophic coupling and habitat connectivity among coral reef, mangrove, and seagrass fishes and benthic invertebrate communities of the Virgin Islands National Park (VIIS) and Coral Reef National Monument (VICR)Marine reserves were developed to combat the decline of marine fisheries resources and biodiversity by protecting integral components of entire reef communities and interdependent habitats and species (e.g. coral reefs and seagrasses). The function of reserves is to control the "top-down" impact of human predation through "no-take" enforcement strategies, but often other factors, including habitat connectivity, stability, and food availability affect the abundance, distribution, and diversity of marine organisms. Understanding Everglades Invaders: Ecophysiology of the African Jewelfish Hemichromis letourneuxiA dozen species of nonindigenous fishes have colonized the wetlands of south Florida. Although some of these species continue to spread geographically, others remain local. Information relating to their biology, ecology, and environmental tolerances has been accumulating, but data gaps remain for several common species. USGS Research and the FWS Review for Listing the ManateeU.S Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing recommendations for listing the Florida manatee under the Endangered Species Act. A threat assessment model was developed by USGS at the request of USFWS as a decision-support tool for the listing review process. Documents pertaining to the recommendation and the USGS science are now available on-line. The quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis), a small exotic species from Europe, has been discovered this year in Lake Mead near Boulder City, NevadaUntil this population was detected, quagga mussels had been primarily confined to the Great Lakes Region where they were introduced along with the zebra mussel in the late 1980s. Most likely the quagga mussels were introduced to Lake Mead by a boat that had recently been in infested waters. Quagga mussels look very similar to zebra mussels. And like the zebra mussel, the quagga mussel has the potential to cause problems for water users and ecological damage to sensitive ecosystems. Even though both species of mussels have been in the United States for approximately twenty years, scientists are just beginning to understand their long-term impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Impacts for water users are more obvious; quagga mussels can clog pipes and restrict water flow. USGS Recognizes Valuable Manatee Research
A local community newspaper highlighted contributions made by Wayne Hartley, a manatee expert and Specialist at Blue Spring State Park. The article, written by Pat Hatfield for the Deland-Deltona Beacon, highlighted Wayne's contributions as well as the surprise award he received from the USGS Sirenia research team. Deland-Deltona Beacon, run date: 12-21-07 Deland-Deltona Beacon PDF print version |