A Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Twelve species of Wading Birds in Florida Bay National Marine Fisheries Service
Gebelein J. 1996. A Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Twelve species of Wading Birds in Florida Bay National Marine Fisheries Service
From March 1995 to March 1996, I conducted a spatial and temporal analysis of twelve different species of wading and water bird in Florida Bay. Three major patterns in bird location emerged with the conclusion of this study. The first pattern was the large concentration of birds along the edges of banks and shoals throughout the Bay. The second pattern was the large numbers of birds congregating along the channel systems throughout the Bay. The last pattern was the higher rate of wading and nesting activities occurring in the western half of the Bay. Areas of high wading and nesting activities of these birds can be equated with areas of high productivity of the entire Bay ecosystem. Therefore, this study will help pinpoint areas of high sensitivity within the Bay.