Monitoring salt marsh vegetation and nekton at Fire Island National Seashore and the William Floyd Estate: 2015 summary report

Nicosia, Erika

The Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network (NCBN) began monitoring salt marsh vegetation and nekton at Fire Island National Seashore (FIIS) and the William Floyd Estate (WFE) in 2009. This report summarizes the fourth year of data collected during the summer of 2015 at both FIIS and WFE. Data summaries from sampling years prior to 2015 were prepared as two separate reports. Monitoring will continue on a biennial basis. At FIIS, approximately fifty vegetation plots were sampled at each of the six marsh sites (total = 303 plots). In addition, a total of 151 plots were sampled at three sites located at WFE. All vegetation sampling was collected in July of 2015 except for one site at FIIS which was sampled in September due to limited accessibility. Plots established and sampled during the 2009 field season were re-visited in 2015 (between 2009 and 2013, plots were re-randomized each sampling year). The percent cover of each vegetation species and non-vegetation cover type within each 1 m2 plot was visually estimated using a revised Braun-Blanquet method. Twenty-three vegetation species and four non-vegetation cover types (wrack & litter, trash, bare ground, and water) were recorded at FIIS. Twenty-eight vegetation species and four non-vegetation cover types (wrack & litter, trash, bare ground, and water) were recorded at WFE. A total of 65 nekton stations were established (on ditches and pools/pannes) at FIIS in 2015. Each station was sampled twice during the summer—once in mid-June, and again in late July. At WFE, 38 nekton stations were established and sampled once in late June and then again in early August. Sampling stations located on pools/pannes were sampled using a 1 m2 aluminum throw trap. Stations located along tidal ditches were sampled with ditch nets. There were nine species of nekton recorded at FIIS in 2015, including seven fish, one unknown crab, and one shrimp species. Examination of percent catch data indicates that F. heteroclitus (51.9%), M. menidia (4.2%), and P. pugio (38.7%) accounted for approximately 95% of all nekton captured at FIIS in 2015. At WFE, there were ten species of nekton recorded, including six fish, three crabs, and one shrimp species, with P. pugio (77.6%) and F. heteroclitus (18.6%) accounting for approximately 96% of all nekton captured.

Monitoring salt marsh vegetation and nekton at Fire Island National Seashore and the William Floyd Estate: 2015 summary report

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