Effect of Hurricane Donna on the Aquatic Fauna of North Florida Bay
Tabb DC and Jones AC. 1962. Effect of Hurricane Donna on the Aquatic Fauna of North Florida Bay. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 91(4):375-378
In September 1960 Hurricane Donna caused heavy mortality among aquatic animals in north Florida Bay (Everglades National Park). Fish and invertebrates were stranded by retreating salt water which had been driven inland, or were killed by mud suffocation or turbulence. Oxygen depletion due to decomposition of organic material caused subsequent mortality. Salinities returned to normal within six weeks, but dissolved oxygen concentrations remained abnormally low for a longer period. Fish and invertebrates were scarce for several months in the areas of greatest oxygen depletion. Sportfish catches declined immediately after the storm, but recovered within one to three months. Juvenile pink shrimp moved from their estuarine nursery grounds to about 60 miles offshore. No aquatic fauna suffered permanent damage. Study Period: September-December 1960; Study Type: Qualitative; Habitat: Estuarine; Biological Component: Fauna; Abiotic Parameters Measured: Salinity, DO, water temp.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Tabb, Durbin; Jones, Albert
- Units
- BISC , EVER
- Keywords
- Animals, Aquatic, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Ecology, Everglades National Park, Fish, FL, Florida Bay, Hurricanes, Impacts, Invertebrates (Invertebrata), Mortality, Salinity