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Developing A Dna Barcode Database Of Gulf Of Mexico Fishes For Biodiversity Research
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2021
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[PDF-248.49 KB]
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Description:Coastal regions of the northern Gulf of Mexico are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world (Nixon 1980, Houde and Rutherford 1993). In particular, estuarine habitats are species rich, spatially complex, and are regularly used by estuarine and marine fishes at one or more life-history stages (O’Connell et al. 2004). Despite the high levels of productivity, many estuaries and coastal regions in southeastern Louisiana possesses little natural “hard structure” and are dominated by soft-bottomed sediments. As a result, an artificial reef program was instituted to provide additional essential fish habitat through the deployment of clusters of concrete reef balls or the distribution of crushed limestone/concrete. The use of artificial habitats follows the Field of Dream approach (“if you build it they will come”). However, elsewhere, these types of structures have proven to be effective as a fish attractant tool and have enhanced fisheries in marine and estuarine environments. Overall, they can provide food resources by supplying hard substrates for colonizing invertebrates, while simultaneously providing structures for shelter and reproduction for many fish species.
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Rights Information:Public Domain
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Compliance:Submitted
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