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Data Type: Sponsored Research

Movement of Juvenile Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) and Spot (Leistomus xanthurus) in Relation to Diel-cycling Hypoxia in an Estuarine Tributary: Assessment Using Acoustic Telemetry

Fish movement and the spatial and temporal dynamics of hypoxia determine hypoxia exposure and the effect of poor water quality on nursery habitat function. Although water quality criteria for dissolved oxygen (DO) are well defined, hypoxia exposure of juvenile estuary-dependent fishes in situ is largely unknown. Thirty-one juvenile weakfish Cynoscion regalis and spot Leiostomus xanthurus … Read more

Sediment Flux Modeling: Calibration and application for coastal systems

Benthic–pelagic coupling in shallow estuarine and coastal environments is an important mode of particle and solute exchange and can influence lag times in the recovery of eutrophic ecosystems. Links between the water column and sediments are mediated by particulate organic matter (POM) deposition to the sediment and its subsequent decomposition. Some fraction of the regenerated … Read more

Outbreeding lethality between toxic Group I and nontoxic Group III Alexandrium tamarense spp. isolates: predominance of heterotypic encystment and implications for mating interactions and biogeography

We report the zygotic encystment of geographically dispersed isolates in the dinoflagellate species complex Alexandrium tamarense, in particular, successful mating of toxic Group I and nontoxic Group III isolates. However, hypnozygotes produced in Group I/III co-cultures complete no more than three divisions after germinating. Previous reports have suggested a mate recognition mechanism whereby hypnozygotes produced … Read more

Statistical correction of lidar-derived digital elevation models with multispectral airborne imagery in tidal marshes

Airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) is a valuable tool for collecting large amounts of elevation data across large areas; however, the limited ability to penetrate dense vegetation with lidar hinders its usefulness for measuring tidal marsh platforms. Methods to correct lidar elevation data are available, but a reliable method that requires limited field work … Read more

Macro- to Fine-Scale Spatial and Temporal Distributions and Dynamics of Phytoplankton and Their Environmental Driving Forces in a Small Montane Lake in Southern California, USA

A wireless network of buoys, two autonomous robotic boats, and an autonomous tethered vertical profiling system were used to characterize phytoplankton dynamics and spatiotemporal changes in chemical and physical forcing factors in a small montane lake (Lake Fulmor, Idyllwild, California). Three deployments each year were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to examine seasonal changes in … Read more

Ecosystem modeling in the Gulf of Mexico: current status and future needs to address ecosystem-based fisheries management and restoration activities

Many ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) measures and restoration projects have been implemented to address the stressors that have negatively affected the United States (U.S.) Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Ecosystem simulation models are useful tools for tackling EBFM and restoration questions. Here, we review the current status of ecosystem modeling efforts for the U.S. GOM and … Read more

Monitoring abnormal bio-optical and physical properties in the Gulf of Mexico

The dynamic bio-optical and physical ocean properties within the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) have been identified by the Ocean Weather Laboratory. Ocean properties from VIIRS satellite (Chlorophyll and Bio-Optics and SST) and ocean-circulation models (currents, SST and salinity) were used to identify regions of dynamic changing properties. The degree of environmental change is defined by … Read more