Killifish habitat suitability as a measure of coastal restoration performance: Integrating field data, behavioral trials and simulation

摘要: Abstract One of the goals Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is to restore more natural salinity regimes coastal bays South Florida (USA) with aim improving their degraded estuarine function (e.g., as productive feeding and nursery areas). Here, we examined occurrence (presence–absence) concentration (presence-only fish density) goldspotted killifish (Floridichthys carpio) observed in an ongoing survey potential indicators restoration performance Biscayne Bay, Florida. To determine F. carpio affinity, applied regression analyses field data performed behavioral choice trials laboratory, whereby individuals were exposed a gradient (10–50). Analysis indicated parabolic relationship between salinity, where maximized at ∼22. Killifish was unrelated salinity. Experimental results tended agree observations demonstrated preference for intermediate levels (10–30). Finally, simulation exercise compare seasonal changes habitat suitability within our study domain over course one year. Seasonal comparisons proxy assessing different freshwater management alternatives. We that resulted from output published hydrodynamic transport model. This provided areal estimates suitable gained or lost, well maps indicating geographic distribution quality by season. conclude that: (1) continued monitoring warranted its utility biological indicator nearshore conditions ecosystem-based framework (2) relationships revealed present may be useful modeling exercises, especially those impacts flow scenarios via simulation.