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Faunal and vegetation monitoring in response to harbor dredging in the Port of Miami

Open-File Report 2018-1052
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20181052

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Abstract

Seagrasses are highly productive ecosystems. A before-after-control-impact (BACI) design was used to examine effects of dredging on seagrasses and the animals that inhabit them. The control site North Biscayne Bay and the affected site Port of Miami had seagrass densities decrease during both the before, Fish and Invertebrate Assessment Network 2006-2011, and after, Faunal Monitoring in Response to Harbor Dredging 2014-2016, studies. Turbidity levels increased at North Biscayne Bay and Port of Miami basins during the Faunal Monitoring in Response to Harbor Dredging study, especially in 2016. Animal populations decreased significantly in North Biscayne Bay and Port of Miami in the Faunal Monitoring in Response to Harbor Dredging study compared to the Fish and Invertebrate Assessment Network study. Predictive modeling shows that numbers of animal populations will likely continue to decrease if the negative trends in seagrass densities continue unabated. There could be effects on several fisheries vital to the south Florida economy. Additional research could determine if animal populations and seagrass densities have rebounded or continued to decrease.

Suggested Citation

Daniels, A., Stevenson, R., Smith, E., and Robblee, M., 2018, Faunal and vegetation monitoring in response to harbor dredging in the Port of Miami: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2018–1052, 38 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20181052.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Background
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Selected References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Faunal and vegetation monitoring in response to harbor dredging in the Port of Miami
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2018-1052
DOI 10.3133/ofr20181052
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Description Report: viii, 38 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial North Biscayne Bay, Port of Miami
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details