Examining Gradients in Novelty: Native and Non-native Fish Assemblages in Everglades Canals

Authors

David A. Gandy, Earth and Environment Department, Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Environmental Studies

First Advisor's Name

Jennifer S. Rehage

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Joseph J. Parkos III

Third Advisor's Name

Hong Liu

Fourth Advisor's Name

Joel T. Heinen

Keywords

fish community structure, Everglades, canals, connectivity, non-native species, novel environmental gradients

Date of Defense

7-3-2013

Abstract

Novel ecosystems emerge from alterations to historic abiotic regimes and contain new species combinations. Everglades canals offer an opportunity to understand the function of novel habitat for native and non-native fishes and how novel conditions in turn influence distribution, abundance and assembly patterns. I examined native and non-native fish assemblages collected across a gradient in novelty, defined by the loss of wetland connectivity and habitat complexity. As novelty increased, native species richness and abundance strongly declined, and the contribution of non-natives increased. Community structure vastly differed among canals and was strongly influenced by spatial factors and secondarily by hydrological factors. Natives and non-natives had opposing responses to key hydrologic and habitat parameters. This study represents the first comprehensive assessment of Everglades canal fishes, providing insight into the factors influencing native and non-native abundance and assembly patterns and contributing to our understanding of this novel but permanent habitat.

Identifier

FI13080719

Recommended Citation

Gandy, David A., "Examining Gradients in Novelty: Native and Non-native Fish Assemblages in Everglades Canals" (2013). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 951.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/951