Diatom-based Water Quality Performance Metrics
Gaiser E, Wachnicka A, Taylor C, Travieso R. 2006. Diatom-based Water Quality Performance Metrics. Critical Ecosystems Studies Initiative. ASS04-2. Everglades National Park/South Florida Natural Resources Center
Final Report. A primary goal of ongoing restoration efforts is returning a more natural flow of freshwater to Biscayne Bay. Historically, seasonal infusions of flow from the mainland would serve to nourish coastal wetlands and help temper inshore salinities, thereby providing an environment hospitable to a highly diverse assemblage of marine life. Over the last century, large-scale modifications to the hydrologic regime of south Florida have resulted in a significant disruption of these former flows. As restoration proceeds, performance measures will be necessary to gauge the success of these efforts. This CESI-funded investigation examines the feasibility of sampling diatoms (mostly unicellular phytoplankton) for this purpose, and establishes a methodology for predictive modeling. The study provides an effective strategy for tracking environmental change in light of diatom species composition. Gaiser, Evelyn, Anna Wachnicka, Christine Taylor, and Raphael Travieso. 2006. Diatom-based Water Quality Performance Metrics for Biscayne Bay. Final Report for the National Park Service (NPS) and Critical Ecosystems Studies Initiative. NPS Cooperative Agreement with the Florida International University. Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida. Gaiser, Evelyn, Anna Wachnicka, Pable Ruiz, Franco Tobias, and Michael Ross. 2005. Diatom indicators of ecosystem change in subtropical coastal wetlands. S. A. Bortone (eds.) Estuarine Indicators. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Gaiser, Evelyn; Wachnicka, Anna; Taylor, Christine; Travieso, Raphael
- Date of Issue
- 2006-07
- Units
- BISC , EVER
- Keywords
- Assessment, BISC, Biscayne Bay National Park, CESI, Diatoms, everglades, Response, Restoration, Water Quality
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Nutrient Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Microorganisms