Analyzing The Diversity of Fish and Crabs in The GTMNERR Austin O’Connor & Charles Adams-Flagler College Science Department

Objective Because of the threats that climate change and humans have on estuaries, continuous monitoring of these ecosystems is needed.

Estuaries Spawning sites and nurseries Habitat for inshore, non-migratory fish Home for juvenile, migratory fish

Biodiversity Species richness- # of species present Species evenness- How equal abundances of species A higher amount of biodiversity means a healthier ecosystem

Methods Sites were sampled using 50 foot seine nets to determine abundance and diversity. Water quality was also measured for comparisons. This included Salinity, DO, and Temp

Methods Each Specimen was identified Lengths were measured and recorded

Sampling Sites

Common Species

Cool catches

Simpsons Biodiversity Index Used to calculate Biodiversity of Each month for Washington Oaks State Park, GTMNERR Oyster Reef, and Fort Castillo De San Marcos Assisted by Microsoft Excel

Results-water quality

Results-Biodiversity

Conclusion All sample sites were relatively high in Biodiversity Temperatures ranged from 20-30C 0. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 6-9 mg/L, but was primarily around 7 mg/L Healthy estuarine ecosystem Future seining can contribute more data

Acknowledgements GTMNERR Flagler College Dr. McGinley Fellow Students Dunkin Donuts

Questions?