Clam Data Analysis Assateague Island National Seashore Maryland
Bashore T, Wowor H, Hassan N, Tao J, Ahmed M. 1991. Clam Data Analysis Assateague Island National Seashore Maryland. Climatological Data Annual Summary Maryland and Delaware
A clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) study was conducted by the Assateague Island National Seashore staff to determine if there is any impact of human predation on the clam population. The island is open for clamming during summer for outdoor recreation. Twelve different sites were established along the Sinepuxent and Chincoteague bayside of Assateague Island. Data were collected from these sites for seven years (summers of 1984 - 1990). Human predation did not affect the clam density and size (p<0.05). The interaction between human predation and years of observation also did not show any significant difference at p<0.05. However, there were highly significant differences at p<O.OOOOl among the years of observation. Density and size distribution changed every year during the research. In 1985 and 1986 the density and size of the clams decreased and increased respectively, while from 1989 to 1990the clam density decreased and the size increased. The study indicated that the environment had a more distinct influence on the clam population than human predation did.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Bashore, Terry; Wowor, Haisy; Hassan, Nemat; Tao, Jianmei; Ahmed, Mohamed
- Date of Issue
- 1991-12
- Units
- ASIS
- Keywords
- Assateague Island, clam, Mercenaria mercenaria