1. FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN SEAGRASS HABITATS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS, FLORIDA: SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL CHARACTERISTICS.
- Author
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Acosta, A., Bartels, C., Colvocoresses, J., and Greenwood, M. F. D.
- Subjects
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BIOLOGICAL research , *TRAWLING , *SEAGRASSES , *FISH ecology , *FISH habitats , *FISH populations , *MARINE parks & reserves ,FLORIDA Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Fla.) - Abstract
The article discusses a study which describes the results of a two-year trawling project conducted from February 1999 to January 2001 in a large area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary's (FKNMS) seagrass beds. It was conducted to compare the fish density, taxon richness and assemblage structure in seagrass habitats, to assess the evidence for seasonal changes in fish-assemblage structure and to assess correlations of fish abundance with environmental variables. It was indicated that the mean abundance and species richness were significantly higher in areas containing larger, denser and more structurally complex seagrass beds area. It is also indicated that abiotic factors were not significant in defining assemblages.
- Published
- 2007