Publications
Explore WARC's science publications.
Filter Total Items: 3386
Guidelines for use of fishes in research
The 2004 and 2014 Guidelines were developed to provide a structure that advances appropriate
attention toward valid experimental designs and procedures with aquatic animals while ensuring
humane treatment of the experimental subjects. At a practical level, the Guidelines are intended
to provide general recommendations on field and laboratory endeavors, such as sampling,
holding, and handling f
Authors
J. A. Jenkins, H.L. Bart, James D. Bowker, P.R. Bowser, J.R. MacMillan, J.G. Nickum, J. D. Rose, P. W. Sorenson, G.W. Whitledge, J.W. Rachlin, B.E. Warkentine, H. L. Bart
Site fidelity and condition metrics suggest sequential habitat use by early juvenile snook
The common snook Centropomus undecimalis is an estuarine-dependent fish that relies on landward wetlands as nursery habitat. Despite its economic importance, portions of the snook's early life history are poorly understood. We compared habitat use of young-of-the-year (YOY) snook in 2 geomorphic mesohabitats (tidal pond and tidal creek) along an estuarine gradient (upstream vs. downstream) within
Authors
Adam B. Brame, Carole McIvor, Ernst B Peebles, David J. Hollander
Causal networks clarify productivity-richness interrelations, bivariate plots do not
Perhaps no other pair of variables in ecology has generated as much discussion as species richness and ecosystem productivity, as illustrated by the reactions by Pierce (2013) and others to Adler et al.'s (2011) report that empirical patterns are weak and inconsistent. Adler et al. (2011) argued we need to move beyond a focus on simplistic bivariate relationships and test mechanistic, multivariat
Authors
James B. Grace, Peter B. Adler, W. Stanley Harpole, Elizabeth T. Borer, Eric W. Seabloom
Non-native fishes in Florida freshwaters: a literature review and synthesis
Non-native fishes have been known from freshwater ecosystems of Florida since the 1950s, and dozens of species have established self-sustaining populations. Nonetheless, no synthesis of data collected on those species in Florida has been published until now. We searched the literature for peer-reviewed publications reporting original data for 42 species of non-native fishes in Florida that are cur
Authors
Pamela J. Schofield, William F. Loftus
Migration, foraging, and residency patterns for Northern Gulf loggerheads: implications of local threats and international movements
Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGoM) loggerheads (Caretta caretta) make up one of the smallest subpopulations of this threatened species and have declining nest numbers. We used satellite telemetry and a switching state-space model to identify distinct foraging areas used by 59 NGoM loggerheads tagged during 2010–2013. We tagged turtles after nesting at three sites, 1 in Alabama (Gulf Shores; n = 37) an
Authors
Kristen M. Hart, Margaret M. Lamont, Autumn R. Sartain-Iverson, Ikuko Fujisaki
Analysis of the impact of spatial resolution on land/water classifications using high-resolution aerial imagery
Long-term monitoring efforts often use remote sensing to track trends in habitat or landscape conditions over time. To most appropriately compare observations over time, long-term monitoring efforts strive for consistency in methods. Thus, advances and changes in technology over time can present a challenge. For instance, modern camera technology has led to an increasing availability of very high-
Authors
Nicholas M. Enwright, William R. Jones, Adrienne L. Garber, Matthew J. Keller
Integrating land cover modeling and adaptive management to conserve endangered species and reduce catastrophic fire risk
Land cover modeling is used to inform land management, but most often via a two-step process, where science informs how management alternatives can influence resources, and then, decision makers can use this information to make decisions. A more efficient process is to directly integrate science and decision-making, where science allows us to learn in order to better accomplish management objectiv
Authors
David Breininger, Brean Duncan, Mitchell J. Eaton, Fred Johnson, James Nichols
Assessing the link between coastal urbanization and the quality of nekton habitat in mangrove tidal tributaries
To assess the potential influence of coastal development on habitat quality for estuarine nekton, we characterized body condition and reproduction for common nekton from tidal tributaries classified as undeveloped, industrial, urban or man-made (i.e., mosquito-control ditches). We then evaluated these metrics of nekton performance, along with several abundance-based metrics and community structure
Authors
Justin M. Krebs, Susan S. Bell, Carole C. McIvor
Nekton community structure varies in response to coastal urbanization near mangrove tidal tributaries
To assess the potential influence of coastal development on estuarine-habitat quality, we characterized land use and the intensity of land development surrounding small tidal tributaries in Tampa Bay. Based on this characterization, we classified tributaries as undeveloped, industrial, urban, or man-made (i.e., mosquito-control ditches). Over one third (37 %) of the tributaries have been heavily d
Authors
Justin M. Krebs, Carole C. McIvor, Susan S. Bell
Delineation of marsh types of the Texas coast from Corpus Christi Bay to the Sabine River in 2010
Coastal zone managers and researchers often require detailed information regarding emergent marsh vegetation types for modeling habitat capacities and needs of marsh-reliant wildlife (such as waterfowl and alligator). Detailed information on the extent and distribution of marsh vegetation zones throughout the Texas coast has been historically unavailable. In response, the U.S. Geological Survey, i
Authors
Nicholas M. Enwright, Stephen B. Hartley, Michael G. Brasher, Jenneke M. Visser, Michael K. Mitchell, Bart M. Ballard, Mark W. Parr, Brady R. Couvillion, Barry C. Wilson
Effects of disturbance associated with seismic exploration for oil and gas reserves in coastal marshes
Anthropogenic disturbances in wetland ecosystems can alter the composition and structure of plant assemblages and affect system functions. Extensive oil and gas extraction has occurred in wetland habitats along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast since the early 1900s. Activities involved with three-dimensional (3D) seismic exploration for these resources cause various disturbances to vegetation and
Authors
Rebecca J. Howard, Christopher J. Wells, Thomas C. Michot, Darren J. Johnson
Status and trends of Caribbean coral reefs: 1970-2012
This it the 9th status report since the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) was founded in 1995 was the data arm of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) to document the ecological condition or corral reefs, strengthen monitoring efforts, and link existing organizations and people working on reefs worldwide. The US Government provided the initial funding to help set up a global n