Overview of Progress, April-June 2003

Figure 1: BICY fish I & M sampling locations, as of June 2003. [larger image]

Field sampling has continued in the three months covered by this report. This period is the peak of the seasonal dry-down in Big Cypress and has limited sampling to long-hydroperiod areas. As of June 2003, a total of 203 sites have been sampled, with 53 of these sampling expeditions occurring within the past 3 months (Figure 1). Of these, 96 have been in canals, 33 in cypress forest, 29 in freshwater marshes, 20 in ponds, sloughs, or streams, and the remainder divided among habitats that are either short-hydroperiod or are not spatially extensive in the preserve (Table 1). A total of 54 species have been captured, and an additional three have been positively identified through visual records (Table 2). Efforts have been made to target species suspected to be present in the preserve but which had not been captured during the previous six months, leading to the capture of thirteen new species in the past three months. Most of these were euryhalines that have penetrated into freshwater in canals in the southwestern portion of the preserve, including Crevalle Jack (Caranx hippos), Snook (Centropomus undecimalis), Gray Snapper (Lutjanus griseus), Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus), Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), Clown Goby (Microgobius gulosus), Tidewater Mojarra (Eucinostomus harengulus), Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus), and Atlantic and Redfin Needlefish (Strongylura marina and S. notata respectively). Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), Lake Chubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta), and Swamp Darter (Etheostoma fusiforme) were taken from the L-28 canal in the northeast region of the preserve.

Anticipated Upcoming Work

During the upcoming three months, daily field sampling will continue and will expand geographically with rising surface water levels. Several new sampling methods will be evaluated, including the use of hoop nets with leads and the use of experimental gill nets. Additionally, planning and site evaluations will be conducted for commencing a long-term monitoring program of fish populations in the preserve. This effort will be focused on providing baseline data for reference in evaluating the impact of future hydrologic changes to the area as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). As such, the majority of these sites will be located in areas most likely to be impacted by CERP, notably the northern and eastern portions of the preserve. Additional reference sites will be situated in locations less likely to see direct impacts for Everglades restoration work.