Effects of habitat structural complexity on nekton assemblages: lab and field observations in southern Louisiana
Greater structural complexity is often associated with more diverse and abundant species assemblages. Biogenic reefs formed by the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) are structurally complex in nature and have been recognized for their potential habitat value in estuarine systems along the Atlan...
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ftlouisianastuir:oai:digitalcommons.lsu.edu:gradschool_theses-4034 2023-06-11T04:16:16+02:00 Effects of habitat structural complexity on nekton assemblages: lab and field observations in southern Louisiana Humphries, Austin T. 2010-01-01T08:00:00Z application/pdf https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/3035 https://doi.org/10.31390/gradschool_theses.3035 https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/context/gradschool_theses/article/4034/viewcontent/uc.pdf unknown LSU Digital Commons https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/3035 doi:10.31390/gradschool_theses.3035 https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/context/gradschool_theses/article/4034/viewcontent/uc.pdf LSU Master's Theses complexity habitat Crassostrea oyster reef Gulf of Mexico estuary nekton Environmental Sciences text 2010 ftlouisianastuir https://doi.org/10.31390/gradschool_theses.3035 2023-05-28T19:04:02Z Greater structural complexity is often associated with more diverse and abundant species assemblages. Biogenic reefs formed by the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) are structurally complex in nature and have been recognized for their potential habitat value in estuarine systems along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. To determine how the structural complexity of newly created oyster reefs may influence the abundance and distribution of species, three objectives were established. First, to examine spatial and temporal patterns of nekton use at newly created oyster reefs, as well as the impact of wave exposure, six paired oyster reef and mud-bottom treatments at low and medium wave energy shorelines were sampled quarterly, from June 2009 to March 2010, at Caillou (Sister) Lake, Louisiana, using gill nets, seine, and substrate trays. Transient species showed seasonal shifts with no evidence of habitat preference. Resident species were consistently more abundant at oyster reefs than mud-bottom treatments. There were no patterns in nekton use that could be directly attributed to wave exposure. Second, to determine how changes within the structural complexity of newly created oyster reefs may influence nekton use, oyster reef treatments of various complexities were created and sampled using a drop sampler. The presence of oyster reefs per se was the most important factor determining nekton assemblages; newly created oyster reefs provided habitat for nekton assemblages, but there was little difference between reef treatments. Lastly, to determine how oyster reefs mediate predator foraging success, treatments of various complexities were created and trials executed in a laboratory setting using wild red drum (Scianops occelatus) and grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio). Foraging success was negatively correlated to the structural complexity of oyster reefs, indicating there may be a point above which increased complexity no longer increases the refuge value of the reef. These results show that oyster reefs may ... Text Red drum LSU Digital Commons (Louisiana State University) |
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LSU Digital Commons (Louisiana State University) |
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complexity habitat Crassostrea oyster reef Gulf of Mexico estuary nekton Environmental Sciences |
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complexity habitat Crassostrea oyster reef Gulf of Mexico estuary nekton Environmental Sciences Humphries, Austin T. Effects of habitat structural complexity on nekton assemblages: lab and field observations in southern Louisiana |
topic_facet |
complexity habitat Crassostrea oyster reef Gulf of Mexico estuary nekton Environmental Sciences |
description |
Greater structural complexity is often associated with more diverse and abundant species assemblages. Biogenic reefs formed by the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) are structurally complex in nature and have been recognized for their potential habitat value in estuarine systems along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. To determine how the structural complexity of newly created oyster reefs may influence the abundance and distribution of species, three objectives were established. First, to examine spatial and temporal patterns of nekton use at newly created oyster reefs, as well as the impact of wave exposure, six paired oyster reef and mud-bottom treatments at low and medium wave energy shorelines were sampled quarterly, from June 2009 to March 2010, at Caillou (Sister) Lake, Louisiana, using gill nets, seine, and substrate trays. Transient species showed seasonal shifts with no evidence of habitat preference. Resident species were consistently more abundant at oyster reefs than mud-bottom treatments. There were no patterns in nekton use that could be directly attributed to wave exposure. Second, to determine how changes within the structural complexity of newly created oyster reefs may influence nekton use, oyster reef treatments of various complexities were created and sampled using a drop sampler. The presence of oyster reefs per se was the most important factor determining nekton assemblages; newly created oyster reefs provided habitat for nekton assemblages, but there was little difference between reef treatments. Lastly, to determine how oyster reefs mediate predator foraging success, treatments of various complexities were created and trials executed in a laboratory setting using wild red drum (Scianops occelatus) and grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio). Foraging success was negatively correlated to the structural complexity of oyster reefs, indicating there may be a point above which increased complexity no longer increases the refuge value of the reef. These results show that oyster reefs may ... |
format |
Text |
author |
Humphries, Austin T. |
author_facet |
Humphries, Austin T. |
author_sort |
Humphries, Austin T. |
title |
Effects of habitat structural complexity on nekton assemblages: lab and field observations in southern Louisiana |
title_short |
Effects of habitat structural complexity on nekton assemblages: lab and field observations in southern Louisiana |
title_full |
Effects of habitat structural complexity on nekton assemblages: lab and field observations in southern Louisiana |
title_fullStr |
Effects of habitat structural complexity on nekton assemblages: lab and field observations in southern Louisiana |
title_full_unstemmed |
Effects of habitat structural complexity on nekton assemblages: lab and field observations in southern Louisiana |
title_sort |
effects of habitat structural complexity on nekton assemblages: lab and field observations in southern louisiana |
publisher |
LSU Digital Commons |
publishDate |
2010 |
url |
https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/3035 https://doi.org/10.31390/gradschool_theses.3035 https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/context/gradschool_theses/article/4034/viewcontent/uc.pdf |
genre |
Red drum |
genre_facet |
Red drum |
op_source |
LSU Master's Theses |
op_relation |
https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/3035 doi:10.31390/gradschool_theses.3035 https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/context/gradschool_theses/article/4034/viewcontent/uc.pdf |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.31390/gradschool_theses.3035 |
_version_ |
1768373874424020992 |