HABITAT EVALUATION IN COASTAL SOUTHWESTERN FLORIDA: A POLICY DECISION MODEL FOR THE BLUE CRAB, CALLINECTES SAPIDUS

• Published in: Florida scientist 2006-01, Vol.69, p.140-151
• Main Authors: Barnes, Tomma K., Mazzotti, Frank J., Pearlstine, Leonard G., Volety, Aswani K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic habitats; Callinectes sapidus; Crabs; Ecosystem models; Estuaries; Everglades; Freshwater ecosystems; Marine; Marine ecosystems; Salinity; Water management; Wildlife habitats
• ISSN: 0098-4590

A stressor response model in the form of a habitat suitability index was created for blue crab to quantify impacts of alternative management actions and to assist managers in policy decisions. The model simulates system response by examining impact of freshwater input into southwest Florida estuaries and is being used to help bring together research and monitoring components within southwest Florida ecosystems as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. The model uses both a larval-component index and spawning female component index and has been incorporated into a geographic information system to portray responses spatially and temporally to facilitate policy decisions. This habitat suitability stressor response model can be applied at other locations using information from the literature, expert knowledge and available local field data and can be easily modified or refined as additional data becomes available. This study examines four hydrological scenarios: a target flow, 2000 base, and 2050 with and without Comprehensive Everglades Restoration, on the habitat suitability of the estuary for blue crabs. The model indicates that preferred flow frequency distribution and the future conditions with Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan have higher habitat suitability values than existing or future without Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan conditions.