Website

https://gtmnerr.org/

Region(s)

NE

Summary

Oyster Spat monitoring in the GTM NERR was initiated as a compliment to long-term oyster reef monitoring with a primary objective of documenting spatiotemporal patterns in settlement.

Parameters

deployment date, retrieval date, region, reef, rep, shell id, total oyster, top oyster, bottom oyster, barnacle_total, barnacle top, barnacle bottom, micro-total oysters, micro-oyster top, micro-oyster bottom, micro-barnacle total, micro-barnacle top, micro-barnacle bottom, oyster adjusted, notes

Notes

Application

To understand the status of local oyster populations and the reef habitats they build, and to track changes over time. An important aspect of assessing and managing oyster populations is understanding patterns in larval oyster settlement over space and time.

Publications

Information is shared through meetings, workshops, and public outreach events

Start

2015

End

2020

Frequency

Monthly

Method

A stratified random sample of at least three reefs in each region of interest are selected to deploy spat collectors. Larval settlement patterns are monitored using the hanging shell spat collection method. Samples are collected using T-shaped structures made from PVC (“trees”), with shell “stringers” suspended from each side of the crossbar. Trees are inserted into the reef at the apparent densest portion of live oyster on the reef and situated so that the bottom shells are just above the surrounding live oysters. Stringers are composed of six cleaned shells (5-10 cm shell height) with holes drilled through the center strung onto galvanized wire or fishing line, oriented with the inner surface facing down. Retrieved stringers are labeled and stored in a freezer until processed.

Discontinuity

Data Location

By request from Nikki Dix (Nikki.Dix@floridadep.gov)

Data Format

.xlsx
Excel

Habitats

RCP Program not part of SEACAR analysis

SEACAR Citation

Alternative Citation

indicates priority attributes