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Robert K Bonde - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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feeding preferences of west indian manatees in florida belize and puerto rico as indicated by stable isotope analysis
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2010Co-Authors: Christy D Alvesstanley, Graham A. J. Worthy, Robert K BondeAbstract:The endangered West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus has 2 recognized sub- species: the Florida T. m. latirostris and Antillean T. m. manatus manatee, both of which are found in freshwater, estuarine, and marine habitats. A better understanding of manatee feeding preferences and habitat use is essential to establish criteria on which conservation plans can be based. Skin from manatees in Florida, Belize, and Puerto Rico, as well as aquatic vegetation from their presumed diet, were analyzed for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios. This is the first application of stable iso- tope analysis to Antillean manatees. Stable isotope ratios for aquatic vegetation differed by plant type (freshwater, estuarine, and marine), collection location, and in one instance, Season. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios for manatee skin differed between collection location and in one instance, Sea- son, but did not differ between sex or age class. Signatures in the skin of manatees sampled in Belize and Puerto Rico indicated a diet composed primarily of SeaGrasses, whereas those of Florida mana- tees exhibited greater regional variation. Mixing model results indicated that manatees sampled from Crystal River and Homosassa Springs (Florida, USA) ate primarily freshwater vegetation, whereas manatees sampled from Big Bend Power Plant, Ten Thousand Islands, and Warm Mineral Springs (Florida) fed primarily on SeaGrasses. Possible diet-tissue discrimination values for 15 N were estimated to range from 1.0 to 1.5‰. Stable isotope analysis can be used to interpret manatee feed- ing behavior over a long period of time, specifically the use of freshwater vegetation versus Sea- Grasses, and can aid in identifying critical habitats and improving conservation efforts.
Christy D Alvesstanley - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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feeding preferences of west indian manatees in florida belize and puerto rico as indicated by stable isotope analysis
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2010Co-Authors: Christy D Alvesstanley, Graham A. J. Worthy, Robert K BondeAbstract:The endangered West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus has 2 recognized sub- species: the Florida T. m. latirostris and Antillean T. m. manatus manatee, both of which are found in freshwater, estuarine, and marine habitats. A better understanding of manatee feeding preferences and habitat use is essential to establish criteria on which conservation plans can be based. Skin from manatees in Florida, Belize, and Puerto Rico, as well as aquatic vegetation from their presumed diet, were analyzed for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios. This is the first application of stable iso- tope analysis to Antillean manatees. Stable isotope ratios for aquatic vegetation differed by plant type (freshwater, estuarine, and marine), collection location, and in one instance, Season. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios for manatee skin differed between collection location and in one instance, Sea- son, but did not differ between sex or age class. Signatures in the skin of manatees sampled in Belize and Puerto Rico indicated a diet composed primarily of SeaGrasses, whereas those of Florida mana- tees exhibited greater regional variation. Mixing model results indicated that manatees sampled from Crystal River and Homosassa Springs (Florida, USA) ate primarily freshwater vegetation, whereas manatees sampled from Big Bend Power Plant, Ten Thousand Islands, and Warm Mineral Springs (Florida) fed primarily on SeaGrasses. Possible diet-tissue discrimination values for 15 N were estimated to range from 1.0 to 1.5‰. Stable isotope analysis can be used to interpret manatee feed- ing behavior over a long period of time, specifically the use of freshwater vegetation versus Sea- Grasses, and can aid in identifying critical habitats and improving conservation efforts.
Perla Atiyah - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Valuing ecosystem services from blue forests: A systematic review of the valuation of salt marshes, Sea grass beds and mangrove forests
Ecosystem Services, 2018Co-Authors: Amber Himes-cornell, Linwood Pendleton, Perla AtiyahAbstract:Coastal ecosystems provide a number of life-sustaining services, from which benefits to humans can be derived. They are often inhabited by aquatic vegetation, such as mangroves, Sea Grasses and salt marshes. Given their wide geographic distribution and coverage, there is need to prioritize conservation efforts. An understanding of the human importance of these ecosystems can help with that prioritization. Here, we summarize a literature review of ecosystem service valuation studies. We discuss (1) the degree to which current valuation information is sufficient to prioritize blue carbon habitat conservation and restoration, (2) the relevancy of available studies, and (3) what is missing from the literature that would be needed to effectively prioritize conservation. Given the recent focus on blue carbon ecosystems in the international conservation, there are a number of areas where reSearch on blue forest ecosystem assessment and valuation could be improved, from enhancing available methodologies to increasing valuation of rarely studied ecosystem services and wider geographic coverage of valuation studies. This review highlights these gaps and calls for a focus on broadening the ecosystem services that are valued, the methods used, and increasing valuation in under-represented regions.
Roger L. Reep - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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digesta passage rates in the florida manatee trichechus manatus latirostris
Zoo Biology, 2007Co-Authors: Iskande L V Larkin, Vivienne F Fowler, Roger L. ReepAbstract:The Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris (Sirenia: Trichechidae), is an herbivorous marine mammal found within coastal areas throughout the state of Florida, which feeds on both fresh and salt water Sea Grasses. Manatees, like other Sirenians, are a tropical species with little tolerance for water temperatures below 20°C, rely on a relatively poor nutritional food source, and have a low metabolic rate. Although manatees are hindgut fermenting herbivores, they are very efficient at extracting nutrients from the plants on which they feed. Slow passage rates of digesta have been suggested to be a factor in this increased efficiency. Two studies monitored the digesta passage times and mixing of particulate digesta within the manatee digestive tract using MicroGrits colored corncob grit as a fecal marker. Fecal samples were collected subsequently from four manatees in Study 1 and 3 manatees in Study 2, grit pieces removed, counted, and measured. The digesta passage times ranged from 6 and 10 days in Study 1, and 4.3 and 8.3 days in Study 2, supporting data presented in previous studies. When two different colored markers were administered on sequential days, minimal to no mixing was seen in recovered feces, suggesting that the digesta from a given day traveled through the tract as a bolus. Less than 1% of the marker fed was recovered and we hypothesize that perpendicular folds of the large intestine may be the major contributing factor, with pieces being retained and eventually digested. Zoo Biol 26:503–515, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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digesta passage rates in the florida manatee trichechus manatus latirostris
Zoo Biology, 2007Co-Authors: Iskande L V Larkin, Vivienne F Fowler, Roger L. ReepAbstract:: The Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris (Sirenia: Trichechidae), is an herbivorous marine mammal found within coastal areas throughout the state of Florida, which feeds on both fresh and salt water Sea Grasses. Manatees, like other Sirenians, are a tropical species with little tolerance for water temperatures below 20 degrees C, rely on a relatively poor nutritional food source, and have a low metabolic rate. Although manatees are hindgut fermenting herbivores, they are very efficient at extracting nutrients from the plants on which they feed. Slow passage rates of digesta have been suggested to be a factor in this increased efficiency. Two studies monitored the digesta passage times and mixing of particulate digesta within the manatee digestive tract using MicroGrits colored corncob grit as a fecal marker. Fecal samples were collected subsequently from four manatees in Study 1 and 3 manatees in Study 2, grit pieces removed, counted, and measured. The digesta passage times ranged from 6 and 10 days in Study 1, and 4.3 and 8.3 days in Study 2, supporting data presented in previous studies. When two different colored markers were administered on sequential days, minimal to no mixing was seen in recovered feces, suggesting that the digesta from a given day traveled through the tract as a bolus. Less than 1% of the marker fed was recovered and we hypothesize that perpendicular folds of the large intestine may be the major contributing factor, with pieces being retained and eventually digested. Zoo Biol 26:503-515, 2007. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Graham A. J. Worthy - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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feeding preferences of west indian manatees in florida belize and puerto rico as indicated by stable isotope analysis
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2010Co-Authors: Christy D Alvesstanley, Graham A. J. Worthy, Robert K BondeAbstract:The endangered West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus has 2 recognized sub- species: the Florida T. m. latirostris and Antillean T. m. manatus manatee, both of which are found in freshwater, estuarine, and marine habitats. A better understanding of manatee feeding preferences and habitat use is essential to establish criteria on which conservation plans can be based. Skin from manatees in Florida, Belize, and Puerto Rico, as well as aquatic vegetation from their presumed diet, were analyzed for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios. This is the first application of stable iso- tope analysis to Antillean manatees. Stable isotope ratios for aquatic vegetation differed by plant type (freshwater, estuarine, and marine), collection location, and in one instance, Season. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios for manatee skin differed between collection location and in one instance, Sea- son, but did not differ between sex or age class. Signatures in the skin of manatees sampled in Belize and Puerto Rico indicated a diet composed primarily of SeaGrasses, whereas those of Florida mana- tees exhibited greater regional variation. Mixing model results indicated that manatees sampled from Crystal River and Homosassa Springs (Florida, USA) ate primarily freshwater vegetation, whereas manatees sampled from Big Bend Power Plant, Ten Thousand Islands, and Warm Mineral Springs (Florida) fed primarily on SeaGrasses. Possible diet-tissue discrimination values for 15 N were estimated to range from 1.0 to 1.5‰. Stable isotope analysis can be used to interpret manatee feed- ing behavior over a long period of time, specifically the use of freshwater vegetation versus Sea- Grasses, and can aid in identifying critical habitats and improving conservation efforts.