Sunday, December 16, 2012

Invasive Crab Survey Update

Habitat Trays help researchers monitor exotic crab species.

As one of the 28 reserves in the National Estuarine Research Reserve system, the GTM Research Reserve is charged with implementing national-level long-term research programs, investigating relevant regional and local-level research questions, and facilitating related research efforts by visiting scientists and students conducting research in the myriad estuarine and coastal habitats within the reserve.

A GTM Research Reserve
volunteer holds up a blue crab.
For the past ten years, an Invasive Crab Survey has been a part of this research. Because it is impossible to predict where and when a particular species will successfully invade a particular habitat, researchers at the GTM Research Reserve have been focusing on already established invasive crabs to predict the likelihood, direction, and rate of spread of the nuisance species. The researchers are monitoring crab species within the GTM Research Reserve to determine their diversity, detect new invasions, document seasonality of both native and invasive populations, and determine trends in species composition and abundance over time.

Ten different species of crab have been collected over the course of the survey, but one of the most interesting findings is one that will cause excitement amongst seafood enthusiasts who enjoy stone crabs (Menippe mercenaria). Although we have only collected 35 crabs during the survey, our results over the past two years suggest that stone crab populations in NE Florida might be increasing, something we will continue to monitor with interest as the survey continues.

Habitat Trays help researchers monitor populations of exotic crabs. The bars on the graph below illustrates the number of stone crabs per tray out of seven Habitat Trays, while the line illustrates the Florida Fish and Wildlife’s annual commercial landings data for NE Florida in the form of catch per unit effort (lbs of crab/trip). 



To learn more about the research being done at the GTM Research Reserve, visit our research page.


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Planning for Sea Level Rise in the Matanzas Basin


Sea levels around the world are rising, and are expected to continue rising for centuries, potentially impacting both human populations and the natural environment. Planning for Sea Level Rise, a project led by the University of Florida and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM NERR), and funded by the NERR System Science Collaborative, is holding two community workshops this week. At each workshop, researchers from the University of Florida will present the science of sea level rise and its potential impacts on the Matanzas area. Based on the information presented, workshop facilitators will ask participants for their preferences of what places to protect and what adaptation strategies to use.

We encourage you to come take part in this extremely important community event by signing up for one of the 4 sessions listed below. Be sure to also visit our YouTube Channel for interviews with program officials. For additional program information visit our site.

December 5th, 2012

Palm Coast and Coastal Community Workshop: Palm Coast and Coastal residents will have the opportunity to provide input on the project and learn about the most current science on sea level rise. Potential scenarios developed by UF leading researchers will be presented to the stakeholders. Residents will have the opportunity to participate from either 9:00a.m. – 12:00p.m. or 5:30p.m – 8:30p.m.  The workshop will be held at the GTM NERR Marineland Office in St. Augustine, FL. Please click on the time above to RSVP for that session.
 

December 6th, 2012

St. Augustine Community Workshop: St. Augustine residents will have the opportunity to provide input on the project and learn about the most current science on sea level rise. Potential scenarios developed by UF leading researchers will be presented to the stakeholders. Residents will have the opportunity to participate from either 9:00a.m. – 12:00p.m. or 5:30p.m – 8:30p.m.  The morning workshop will be held at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and the evening workshop will be held at the Flagler College Ringhaver Student Center. Please click on the time above to RSVP for that session.