CESI Research Project 97-15

Baseline Research >> Current Page

 

Experimental Studies of Population Growth and Predator-Prey
Interactions of South Florida Fishes
Shawn E. Smith & Joel C. Trexler

 

Periphyton Floating in the Everglades

NPS Photo by Rodney Cammauf

 

Alligators and panthers often garner much attention as south Florida's apex predators. Yet it is the expansive mats of periphyton that form the base of the complex Everglades food web. The trophic dynamics of the entire ecosystem seem to pivot on the availability of this prolific primary producer.

This CESI-funded investigation examines the interactions between periphyton and the aquatic species it supports. Algal mats can serve a variety of purposes for such organisms, including both refuge and nutrition. Knowledge gained from observing such interactions can help managers better infer how these communities will respond to environmental change.

 

 

For a copy of this report please contact us

 

 

Contact Joel Trexler

 

Contact the principal investigator directly with questions about this study.

 

Population, Growth, Predator-Prey, Interactions, South Florida, Fishes, Fish, CESI, Critical Ecosystem Studies Initiative, Shawn E. Smith, Joel Trexler