The history of the ecosystem during the last 150-200 years is studied by analysis of faunal and floral assemblages from a series of shallow cores taken in Florida Bay. Cores are located at strategic sites in Florida Bay, with initial emphasis on the northeast and northern portions of the Bay where the most significant changes are thought to have occurred. These cores are submitted for Pb 210 analysis to determine the age and degree of disruption of the sediments. Cores that present a good stratigraphic record are sampled at closely spaced intervals for all macro-and micro-fauna and flora present. Quantitative down-core assemblage diagrams are drawn up and the various faunal and floral data are compared to look for correlated changes among the groups analyzed. Determinations of salinity, bottom conditions, nutrient supply and various other physical and chemical parameters of the environment are made for each sample based on the fauna and flora present. Data from all cores will be integrated to search for regional patterns of change in diversity and distribution of the fauna and flora, and data from Florida Bay will supplement and be correlated to onshore data and to Biscayne Bay (Ecosystems History: Terrestrial and Fresh Water Ecosystems of Southern Florida Project and Ecosystems History: Biscayne Bay and the southeast coast Project). The integrated data set will be analyzed to see if detected changes in biota correlate to alterations in physical parameters and/or historic records of human-induced modifications of the environment.
Brewster-Wingard, Lynn, 2006, Ecosystem History: Florida Bay and Southwest Coast.Online Links:
Scott Ishman, Debra Willard, Tom Cronin, and Lucy Edwards are principal investigators on complementary projects. Bob Halley and Charles Holmes are collecting and dating cores as part of their respective projects. Technical assistance is provided by South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), the Florida Geological Survey, the National Park Service, the Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI), the Keys Marine Lab, and NOAA.
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lwingard@usgs.gov
This project is one component of an interdisciplinary study of the ecosystem history in Florida Bay. A number of USGS and other agencies scientist's are examining a series of shallow cores (~1-2 m) collected from Florida Bay. By studying the patterns of change that have occurred in the ecosystem over the last two centuries, we gain insight into the natural processes, including the natural range of variability that exists within any ecosystem. We can then determine the degree to which anthropogenic-induced change has effected the system. This understanding is critical to the restoration effort; otherwise we will be attempting to restore the system to a targeted snapshot in time, without understanding how realistic or obtainable those goals are. The ecosystem history component of the initiative will save time and money by providing realistic, economical, obtainable goals.Our component of this study is to analyze the down-core faunal and floral assemblages, over the last 150-200 years. Cores are located at strategic sites in Florida Bay, with initial emphasis on the northeast and northern portions of the Bay where the most significant changes are thought to have occurred. These cores are submitted for Pb 210 analysis to determine the age and degree of disruption of the sediments. Cores that present a good stratigraphic record are sampled at closely spaced intervals for all macro- and micro-fauna and flora present. Quantitative down-core assemblage diagrams are drawn up and the various faunal and floral data are compared to look for correlated changes among the groups analyzed. Determinations of salinity, bottom conditions, nutrient supply and various other physical and chemical parameters of the environment are made for each sample based on the fauna and flora present. Data from all cores will be integrated to search for regional patterns of change in diversity and distribution of the fauna and flora, and data from Florida Bay will supplement and be correlated to onshore data and to Biscayne Bay. The integrated data set will be analyzed to see if detected changes in biota correlate to alterations in physical parameters and/or historic records of human-induced modifications of the environment.
1) Cores or bottom samples are collected from strategic sites in Florida Bay.
2) Cores are a) visually examined, b) x-rayed, and c) Pb210 profiles are developed. These 3 methods determine if the sediments within the core are disrupted. If the core seems to be undisturbed, then processing proceeds.
3) Samples for sedimentologic, palynologic, charcoal, and isotopic analyses are removed.
4) Portions of the cores and the surface samples are washed through sieves down to 63 microns for calcareous samples.
5) Palynologic, and charcoal analyses proceed through a series of acidulation processes and slides prepared for counting of dinocysts, pollen grains, and charcoal.
6) Calcareous samples are dried and picked for mollusks, benthic foraminifera and ostracodes. Counts of taxa present are made.
7) Percent abundance diagrams are constructed. Core data is compared to modern analogue data for information on salinity and substrate preferences of species. Data from all faunal and floral groups are combined and analysis completed.
Person who carried out this activity:
703 648-5352 (voice)
703 648-6953 (FAX)
lwingard@usgs.gov
Edwards, L. E. Weedman, S. D., Simmons, K., 1998, Lithostratigraphy, petrography, biostratigraphy, and strontium-isotope stratigraphy of the surficial aquifer system of western Collier County, Florida: USGS Open-File Report 98-205, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Wingard, G. Lynn Cronin, Thomas M., Holmes, 2004, Ecosystem History of Southern and Central Biscayne Bay: Summary Report on Sediment Core Analyses - Year Two: USGS Open-File Report 2004-1312, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Trappe, Carleigh A. Brewster-Wingard, G. Lynn, 2001, Molluscan Fauna from Core 25B, Whipray Basin, Central Florida Bay, Everglades National Park: USGS Open-File Report 01-143, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Brewster-Wingard, G. Lynn Ishman, Scott E., Waibel,, 1998, Preliminary Paleontologic Report on Core 37, from Pass Key, Everglades National Park, Florida Bay: USGS Open-File Report 98-0122, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Scott, Thomas M. Means, Guy H., Brewster-Win, 1997, Progress Report on Sediment Analyses at Selected Faunal Monitoring Sites in North-central and Northeastern Florida Bay: USGS Open-File Report 97-0534, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Willard, Debra A. Brewster-Wingard, G. Lynn, , 1997, Paleontological Data from Mud Creek Core 1, southern Florida: USGS Open-File Report 97-0736, U. S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Brewster-Wingard, G. Lynn Ishman, S. E., Edwards, L, 1996, Preliminary Report on the Distribution of Modern Fauna and Flora at Selected Sites in North-central and North-eastern Florida Bay: USGS Open-File Report 96-0732, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Ishman, S. E. Brewster-Wingard, G. L., Wi, 1996, Preliminary paleontologic report on core T-24, Little Madeira Bay, Florida: USGS Open-File Report 96-0543, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Brewster-Wingard, G. L. Ishman, S. E., Willard, D. , 1997, Preliminary paleontologic report Cores 19A and 19B, Russell Bank, Everglades National Park, Florida Bay: USGS Open-File Report 97-460, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Wingard, G. Lynn Cronin, T. M., Willard, D, 199510, Florida Bay Ecosystem: Measuring Historical Change: Conference Proceedings Florida Bay Science Conference 1995, Program Management Committee for Florida Bay Research, Gainesville, FL.Online Links:
Wingard, G.L. Ishman, S.E., Cronin, T.M., Edw, 1995, Preliminary Analysis of Down-core Biotic Assemblages: Bob Allen Keys, Everglades National Park, Florida Bay: USGS Open-File Report 95-628, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Brewster-Wingard, G.L. Ishman, S.E., Willard, D.A., Ed, 1997, Preliminary Paleontologic Report on Sediment Analyses at Selected Faunal Monitoring Sites in North-central and North-eastern Florida Bay: USGS Open-File Report 97-460, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
Pyle, Laura Cooper, Sherri R., Huvane, Jacq, 1998, Diatom Paleonecology Pass Key Core 37, Everglades National Park, Florida Bay: USGS Open File Report 98-522, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
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Ecosystem History of South Florida Estuaries Data
The field data contained in this database have not been reviewed for publication and therefore may contain inconsistencies or errors. The field measurements (such as salinity and temperature) were made on an variety of instruments over the years. Project personnel have made every attempt to calibrate and standardize the instruments and check the data, however, the field data should be considered preliminary. Also taxonomic names may not represent the most up to date usage, but are internally consistent.
| Data format: | MS Access (version unknown) The Access database is available as a zipped file Size: 4.8 |
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U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Center for
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