| Abstract: | Long-term monitoring of estuarine nekton has many practical and ecological benefits but efforts are hampered by a lack of standardized sampling procedures. This study provides a rationale for monitoring nekton in shallow (< 1 m), temperate, estuarine habitats and addresses some important issues that arise when developing monitoring protocols. Sampling in seagrass and salt marsh habitats is emphasized due to the susceptibility of each habitat to anthropogenic stress and to the abundant and rich nekton assemblages that each habitat supports. Extensive sampling with quantitative enclosure traps that estimate nekton density is suggested. These gears have a high capture efficiency in most habitats and are small enough (e.g., 1 m(2)) to permit sampling in specific microhabitats. Other aspects of nekton monitoring are discussed, including spatial and temporal sampling considerations, station selection, sample size estimation, and data collection and analysis. Developing and initiating long-term nekton monitoring programs will help evaluate natural and human-induced changes in estuarine nekton over time and advance our understanding of the interactions between nekton and the dynamic estuarine environment. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 5224370 |
| Citation Author: | Raposa, K.B.; Roman, C.T.; Heltshe, J.F. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Citation Datum: | |
| Citation Day: | |
| Citation Edition: | |
| Citation Editor: | |
| Citation End Page: | 255 |
| Citation Issue: | 1-3 |
| Citation Keywords: | |
| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Environmental Monitoring and Assessment |
| Citation LatN: | |
| Citation LatS: | |
| Citation LonE: | |
| Citation LonW: | |
| Citation Month: | |
| Citation No Pagination: | |
| Citation Number Of Pages: | 17 |
| Citation Online Only Flag: | |
| Citation Phsyical Description: | 239-255 |
| Citation Projection: | |
| Citation Public Comments: | 6241_Raposa.pdf |
| Citation Publisher: | |
| Citation Series: | |
| Citation Series Code: | |
| Citation Series Number: | |
| Citation Search Results Text: | Monitoring nekton as a bioindicator in shallow estuarine habitats; 2003; Article; Journal; Environmental Monitoring and Assessment; Raposa, K.B.; Roman, C.T.; Heltshe, J.F. |
| Citation Start Page: | 239 |
| Citation Volume: | 81 |
| Citation Year: | 2003 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Monitoring nekton as a bioindicator in shallow estuarine habitats; 2003; Article; Journal; Environmental Monitoring and Assessment; Raposa, K.B.; Roman, C.T.; Heltshe, J.F. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DOCUMENT): | http://www.springerlink.com/content/q7j3u4tk1764q4k5/ |
| Date Other: | Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:18 -0500 |
| Publisher: | |
