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Integrated Science in the Suwannee River Estuary
Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)'s Florida Integrated Science Centers (FISC) are conducting a project to identify and map essential fish habitat in the shallow nearshore of the Suwannee River estuary. The project combines mapping with multispectral imagery, hydrologic modeling, and an evaluation of fish assemblages in the tidal creeks. Field teams set out in thick fog to collect fish samples and groundtruth data during March 2003. A USGS team from Gainesville, FL, including George Dennis, Bob Lewis, and Steve Walsh, joined the USGS team from St. Petersburg, FL, Carole McIvor, Randy Edwards, Ellen Raabe, Keith Ludwig, Gary L. Hill, and Chad Stout (USGS contract employee through ETI Professionals). The USGS teams pooled resources with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Steve Barlow for the field effort. Seine nets, throw traps, and rivulet nets were deployed to catch and identify fish species that use the creeks, seagrass beds, and marsh surface throughout the tidal cycle. Ground positions were annotated to identify substrate, water depth, submerged aquatic vegetation, and emergent vegetation. Braving fog and thick marsh sediment, airboat operator Bob Lewis mobilized night crews to collect the rivulet nets at low tide. The team plans to have a map of essential habitats and geomorphic and benthic conditions this fiscal year.
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in this issue:
cover story: Suwannee River Estuary Ecologically Sensitive Islands in the Bering Sea Track Florida's Manatees Via Web Site New Map Poster for Falmouth, MA Science Teachers Visit Woods Hole USGS Landsat Images Appear in Textbook Scientists Give "Telelecture" to Louisiana Students USGS Landsat Image Featured at Museum Manheim Lectures in Ireland and Sweden Saltwater Intrusion and Coastal Aquifers Natural Science and Better Health New Chief Scientist for Western Coastal and Marine Team Mendenhall Fellows Lecture in Reston, VA Mendenhall Fellow Joins Coral Reef Project Netherlands Scientist Visits Woods Hole USGS Employees Find Avocation in Blacksmithing |