Description
Nursery habitats typically include areas such as estuaries, which provide food, warm water and protection from predators (Sheaves et al. 2015). In Southern California, however, estuaries are not as common as in other parts of the world. The only habitat of similar depth and temperature are nearshore surf zones (Allen and Pondella 2006). For this project, samples were collected by using light traps, which is a net with a light that attracts phototactic larval fish within Mission Bay (SeaWorld Marina) and at the coast (Scripps Pier). The study focused on whether there was difference in abundance and diversity of fish presence between estuarine and nearshore habitats utilized by larval fishes. Results showed that abundance was higher in estuaries but lengths were longer at the coast, and diversity among both locations.
Are surf zones nursery habitats for juvenile fishes?
Nursery habitats typically include areas such as estuaries, which provide food, warm water and protection from predators (Sheaves et al. 2015). In Southern California, however, estuaries are not as common as in other parts of the world. The only habitat of similar depth and temperature are nearshore surf zones (Allen and Pondella 2006). For this project, samples were collected by using light traps, which is a net with a light that attracts phototactic larval fish within Mission Bay (SeaWorld Marina) and at the coast (Scripps Pier). The study focused on whether there was difference in abundance and diversity of fish presence between estuarine and nearshore habitats utilized by larval fishes. Results showed that abundance was higher in estuaries but lengths were longer at the coast, and diversity among both locations.
Comments
Faculty Mentor: Steven Searcy