Seagrass habitat utilization by fishes in Christmas Bay, Texas

Date

1997

Authors

Crotwell, Patricia Lynn

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas A&M University

Abstract

This report presents an analysis of fish populations in Christmas Bay, Texas during the period of April, 1994 to March, 1995. Data includes statistics concerning density, biomass, and diversity. Variations in these parameters are then related to concurrent hydrographic conditions and sea grass biomass. Christmas Bay was found to have greater overall density than reported in other sea grass habitats. However, all population parameters examined varied monthly and seasonally. Water temperature and salinity exerted the most significant effects, while sea grass biomass had only a small-scale, random effect. Background literature is reviewed, and all supportive data analyses are presented.

Description

93 pgs.

Keywords

sea grass, marine fish, aquatic communities, underwater habitats, salinity effects, temperature effects

Citation