Analyzing The Diversity of Fish and Crabs in The GTMNERR

Austin O’Connor & Charles Adams-Flagler College Science Department

Objective•Because of the threats that climate

change and humans have on estuaries, continuous monitoring of these ecosystems is needed.

Estuaries•Spawning sites and nurseries•Habitat for inshore, non-migratory fish•Home for juvenile, migratory fish

Biodiversity•Species richness- # of species present•Species evenness- How equal abundances

of species•A higher amount of biodiversity means a

healthier ecosystem

MethodsSites were sampled using 50 foot seine nets to determine

abundance and diversity.

Water quality was also measured for comparisons.

This included Salinity, DO, and Temp

MethodsEach Specimen was

identifiedLengths were measured and

recorded

Sampling Sites

Common Species

Cool catches

Simpsons Biodiversity Index

• Used to calculate Biodiversity of Each month for Washington Oaks State Park, GTMNERR Oyster Reef, and Fort Castillo De San Marcos

• Assisted by Microsoft Excel

Results-water quality

May June July0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Temperature

GTMNERRCastillo de San MarcosWashington Oaks GardensTe

mpe

ratu

re (C

)

May June July0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

GTMNERR

Castillo de San Marcos

Washington Oaks Gardens

DO (m

g/L)

Results-Biodiversity

May June July0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

Biodiversity Index

GTMNERR

Castillo de San Marcos

Washington Oaks Gardens

Sim

pson

's Di

vers

ity In

dex

Conclusion•All sample sites were relatively high in

Biodiversity•Temperatures ranged from 20-30C0.

Dissolved oxygen ranged from 6-9 mg/L, but was primarily around 7 mg/L

•Healthy estuarine ecosystem•Future seining can contribute more data

Acknowledgements•GTMNERR•Flagler College•Dr. McGinley•Fellow Students•Dunkin Donuts

Questions?