The Role of Aquatic Refuges in the Rockland Wetland Complex of Southern Florida, in Relation to System Restoration
Loftus W and Trexler J. 2004. The Role of Aquatic Refuges in the Rockland Wetland Complex of Southern Florida, in Relation to System Restoration. Critical Ecosystems Studies Initiative. RES99-11. Everglades National Park/South Florida Natural Resources Center
Final Report. Limestone depressions in the Everglades bedrock have long been thought to be important refuges for the survival of aquatic life during the dry season. In truth, the highly eroded surface of the Rocky Glades presents a diverse assemblage of aquatic habitats that seemingly play a much more diverse role in the natural history of Everglades life. This five-year study documented the use of surface habitats, solution holes, and subterranean cavities by wildlife, and found that solution holes no longer functioned as refuges because of drainage. This exhaustive project provided data on the physical parameters of these habitats, as well as detailed information on habitat use by native and invasive species, movements of fish by radio tracking, detailed findings on the life history of the reclusive Miami cave crayfish, and implications for restoration. Loftus, William and Joel C. Trexler. 2004. Final Report for the Everglades National Park. Bruno, M. Cristina, et al., 2001. In Eve L. Kuniansky, ed, 2001, USGS Karst Interest Group Proceedings,Water Resources Investigations Report 01-4011, p. 89-97. Cunningham, Kevin J. 2004. J. of Applied Geophysics 55:61-76. DeAngelis, Donald L., et al., 2005. Canadian J. of Fisheries Aquatic Science 62:781-790 Kobza, R. M., J. C., et al. 2002. Biological Conservation 116:153-165. Loftus, William F., et al. 2000. Presentation at GEER Conference, Naples, Florida. Loftus, William, et al. 2001. In Eve L. Kuniansky, editor, 2001, USGS Karst Interest Group Proceedings, Water Resources Investigations Report 01-4011, p. 8-15. Trexler, Joel C., et al. 2000. Biological Invasions 2:265-277.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Loftus, William; Trexler, Joel
- Date of Issue
- 2004-12
- Units
- EVER
- Keywords
- Assessment, CESI, everglades, Fish, Freshwater, Hydrology, Invertebrates, Research, Restoration
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Subsurface Geologic Processes | Cave/Karst Features and Processes , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Invertebrates , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Fishes