Nekton Density Patterns in Tidal Ponds and Adjacent Wetlands Related to Pond Size and Salinity |
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| Authors: | Lawrence P Rozas Thomas J Minello |
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| Institution: | (1) NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service/SEFSC, Estuarine Habitats and Coastal Fisheries Center, 646 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506, USA;(2) SEFSC, Galveston Laboratory, 4700 Avenue U, Galveston, TX 77551, USA |
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| Abstract: | We examined the distribution of nekton across the marsh landscape using a 1-m2 drop sampler to compare nekton densities across three different salinity zones (intermediate, brackish, saline), three pond
sizes (diameter <40 m = small, ∼250–300 m = medium, >750 m = large), and two habitat types (pond, adjacent marsh) in the Barataria
Bay Estuary, Louisiana. Nekton assemblages of ponds and the adjacent marsh appeared to be structured by the responses of individual
species to the estuarine salinity gradient at the landscape scale and to pond habitat attributes locally. Our results indicate
that ponds in the brackish and saline zones are more important nursery areas for most fishery species than ponds in the intermediate
zone. Medium and large ponds supported higher densities of most species than small ponds. Most species of nekton were associated
with vegetation structure, and individuals of these species were either concentrated among plant stems at the marsh edge or
within submerged aquatic vegetation in ponds. |
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