Compared nekton densities among 5 natural and 10 created salt marsh sites to test whether these marsh types were functionally equivalent. Created marshes ranged from 3-yrs to 15-yrs old. Natural and created marshes did not differ in species richness. Marsh elevation and tidal flooding are a key characteristic affecting use by nekton and should be considered in marsh construction projects.

The effect of salinity on utilization of shallow-water nursery habitats by aquatic fauna was assessed in San Antonio Bay, Texas. Overall, 272 samples were collected in a variety of marsh, vegetated, and non-vegetated habitats throughout the Bay system. Sampling began in fall 1986 and extended through fall 1989. Vegetated habitats, marsh, and submerged aquatic vegetation has significantly higher densities of fishes and decapod crustaceans than bare mud habitats.

Terracing uses existing bottom sediments to form terraces or ridges at marsh elevation and the intertidal zone is planted with marsh vegetation. This study examined the habitat value of terracing at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana in the spring and fall of 1999 by quantifying and comparing nekton densities in a 9-yr old terrace field and nearby reference area using a 1 m2 drop sampler. Using density and biomass patterns and the percentage of marsh and pond area in the terrace field, we concluded that terrace fields support higher standing crops of most fishery species compared with shallow marsh ponds of similar size. Future restoration projects could include design changes to increase the proportion of marsh in a terrace field and enhance the habitat value of marsh terraces for fishery species.

During May 1987, and May-June and September 1988, a total of 80 inner and outer marsh samples were collected in the Alligator Point salt marsh of Chocolate Bay within the Galveston Bay estuary system of Texas. The objective was to examine the relationship between marsh edge and nekton use in a planted Spartina marsh. Overall, the study indicates that habitat value of created salt marshes can be enhanced by incorporating tidal creeks into the marsh design.

Compared species composition, numbers, and biomass per unit area among salt marsh (Spartina alterniflora) and open water habitats in the Galveston Bay corridor to evaluate the extent of biological gain achieved from marsh creation in open water habitats.

Between May 5, 1993 and September 19, 1994, we collected quantitative 1-m2 area drop samples and measured a variety of habitat attributes using field surveys and aerial photography to characterize three existing marshes (Atkinson Island, Hog Island, and Cedar Point) in Galveston Bay. We also compared nekton densities among different types of intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats (pond, channel, cove, open bay, and four marsh types). The vegetated surface consistently contained more species and dominant species exhibited at least some degree of habitat selection. To maximize fishery habitat, we recommend placing greater emphasis on constructing low marsh edge habitat by creating large areas of Spartina alterniflora and Scirpus maritimus marsh interspersed with a dense network of shallow channels and interconnected ponds.

Summarized data set of brown shrimp catch by grouped subarea and grouped depth from 2002 to 2011.

Brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, and white shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus, were held were held under natural light conditions before experiments. Experiments were conducted in twelve rectangular tanks (58 cm x 149 cm) under fluorescent lighting (7-10 microEinsteins/sec/sq m). Shrimp were placed in randomly-assigned tanks the day before observations were initiated at 0730 h, the lights were turned on, and observations of thepercentage of shrimp burrowed ( 1/2 of their body beneath the substrate) were recorded hourly (starting at 0830 h) throughout the daylight hours. For both species, burrowing rates decreased significantly as the substrate became courser. Brown shrimp burrowing was marginally affected by salinity with the lowest burrowing rates at 5 ppt white shrimp burrowing was not significantly affected by salinity. Large brown shrimp burrowed more than small and medium sized shrimp, but size did not significantly affect burrowing of white shrimp. The presence of a fish predator in the tanks did not affect burrowing of either species, but hunger level significantly affected burrowing for both species.

This data set contains sensitive biological resource data for wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, diving birds, seabirds, passerine birds, and gulls and terns in Southwest Florida. Vector polygons in this data set represent bird nesting, migratory staging, wintering sites, and vulnerable occurrences. Vector points represent bird nesting sites. Species specific abundance, seasonality, status, life history, and source information are stored in relational data tables (described below) designed to be used in conjunction with this spatial data layer. This data set comprises a portion of the ESI data for Southwest Florida. ESI data characterize the marine and coastal environments and wildlife by their sensitivity to spilled oil. The ESI data include information for three main components: shoreline habitats, sensitive biological resources, and human-use resources. See also the BIRDSPT data layer, part of the larger Southwest Florida ESI database, for additional bird information.