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Effects of hydrological restoration on manatees: integrating data and models for the Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades

Entry ID: USGS_SOFIA_integrating_manatee

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Summary

Abstract: This project will extend previous studies into ENP, where manatees have not been intensively studied. To ascertain how restoration may affect the distribution and abundance of manatees in the region, an individual-based model has been under development, but completion of that model requires a hydrologic model for the rivers and estuaries affected by the accelerated Picayune Strand restoration. ... This study will provide integrated regional hydrologic models covering nearly the entire southwest coast below Naples, including portions of Picayune Strand and Big Cypress, providing much needed hydrologic modeling capabilities for evaluating restoration effects on coastal, estuarine, and freshwater ecosystems. This effort will enable us to model manatee response to restoration, and more adequately address science and management needs. Three tasks will be undertaken to develop the necessary components for this regional model: (1) Link the TIME hydrology model and the ATLSS manatee model to assess restoration effects in the Everglades and Picayune Strand, (2) Model changes to manatee thermal refugia due to hydrological restoration, and (3) Design and implement a regional manatee monitoring program using aerial surveys and use robust statistical analysis techniques to estimate manatee distribution and abundance before restoration.

A significant population of the endangered West Indian manatee occurs in southwest Florida, throughout extensive estuarine and coastal areas within the Ten Thousand Islands (TTI; managed primarily by FWS) and Everglades National Park (ENP; managed by NPS). Planned restoration activities for the Everglades and Picayune Strand (an Acceler-8 project which discharges into TTI) may impact manatees by changing availability of freshwater for drinking, the quality and availability of seagrass forage, and the quality and availability of passive thermal basins used for refuge from lethal winter cold fronts. Changes in freshwater availability and forage are expected to result in a shift in manatee distribution, which could necessitate new management actions to reduce human-manatee interactions. Restoration also could negatively impact important passive thermal refugia by increasing cold sheet flow during winter or disrupting haloclines that maintain warm bottom layers of salty water. Recent telemetry and aerial survey studies of manatees in TTI have revealed much about their use of this area: this project will extend the study into ENP.

Related URL

Link: VIEW EXTENDED METADATA

Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: 26.0

S: 25.0

E: -80.5

W: -81.85

Data Set Citation

Dataset Originator/Creator: Catherine Langtimm Brad Stith, Eric Swain, James Reid, Daniel Slone

Dataset Title: Effects of hydrological restoration on manatees: integrating data and models for the Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades

Dataset Release Date: Unpublished Material

Data Presentation Form: unknown

Online Resource: http://sofia.usgs.gov/projects/integrating_manatee/

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 2005-12-01

Stop Date: 2008-09-30

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > FLORIDA

Science Keywords

BIOSPHERE > TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS > WETLANDS

HUMAN DIMENSIONS > HABITAT CONVERSION/FRAGMENTATION > RECLAMATION/REVEGETATION/RESTORATION

BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > MAMMALS > DUGONGS/MANATEES
BIOSPHERE > AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS > WETLANDS

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

ENVIRONMENT

INLAND WATERS

Project

USGS_SOFIA > South Florida Information Access

Access Constraints None

Use Constraints None

Ancillary Keywords

Collier County

Monroe County

Data Set Progress

IN WORK

Originating Center

Data Center

SOUTH FLORIDA INFORMATION ACCESS, FLORIDA INTEGRATED SCIENCE CENTER, U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Data Center URL: http://sofia.usgs.gov/

Data Center Personnel
Name: HEATHER S. HENKEL Phone: 727.803.8747 ext. 3028 Fax: 727.803.2032 Email: hhenkel at usgs.gov Contact Address: USGS-FISC-St. Petersburg 600 Fourth St. South City: St. Petersburg Province or State: FL Postal Code: 33701 Country: USA