Alligators and crocodiles as indicators for restoration of Everglades ecosystems
Alligators and crocodiles as indicators for restoration of Everglades ecosystems
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DOI：
10.1016/j.ecolind.2008.06.008
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发表时间：
2009-11-01
影响因子：
6.9
通讯作者：
Rice, Kenneth G.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Mazzotti, Frank J.;Best, G. Ronnie;Rice, Kenneth G.
短吻鳄和鳄鱼整合了水文作业的生物影响，通过大沼泽地生态的三个关键方面影响它们的所有生命阶段：（1）食物网，（2）多样性和生产力，（3）淡水流量。鳄鱼的响应与环境条件的适宜性和水文变化直接相关。生物反应和环境条件之间的相关性有助于了解物种的状况和趋势。鳄鱼种群相对于水文变化的积极或消极趋势允许评估恢复的积极或消极趋势，鳄鱼指标使用的监测参数（业绩计量）已被证明在跟踪趋势方面既有效又高效。鳄鱼组件使用相对密度（报告为遭遇率），身体状况和鳄鱼洞的占用率;鳄鱼组件使用幼年生长和幼雏生存。我们假设，这些参数与水文条件，包括深度，持续时间，时间，空间范围和水质。盐度是河口生境的一个重要参数。鳄鱼的性能指标的参数定义的评估支持这些假设。短吻鳄和鳄鱼是魅力的大沼泽地的巨型动物。它们是公众可以联系到的关键物种和旗舰物种。此外，用于跟踪趋势的参数易于理解。他们为以下问题提供了答案：短吻鳄或鳄鱼的数量发生了怎样的变化？这些动物是胖了还是瘦了？动物：3在它们应该在的地方（就栖息地和地理而言）吗？正如没有其他的大沼泽地一样，没有其他单一的物种像美洲短吻鳄一样定义大沼泽地。大沼泽地是世界上唯一同时存在短吻鳄和鳄鱼的地方。鳄鱼明确响应管理利益的水文参数的变化。这些关系很容易沟通，对管理者、决策者和公众都有意义。将鳄鱼列入全系统的一般指标清单，为我们提供了一个最有力的工具，我们可以向不同的受众传达大沼泽地生态系统恢复生态系统的进展情况。(C)2008爱思唯尔有限公司保留所有权利。
Alligators and crocodiles integrate biological impacts of hydrological operations, affecting them at all life stages through three key aspects of Everglades ecology: (1) food webs, (2) diversity and productivity, and (3) freshwater flow. Responses of crocodilians are directly related to suitability of environmental conditions and hydrologic change. Correlations between biological responses and environmental-conditions contribute to an understanding of species' status and trends over time. Positive or negative trends of crocodilian populations relative to hydrologic changes permit assessment of positive or negative trends in restoration.The crocodilian indicator uses monitoring parameters (performance measures) that have been shown to be both effective and efficient in tracking trends. The alligator component uses relative density (reported as an encounter rate), body condition, and occupancy rates of alligator holes; the crocodile component uses juvenile growth and hatchling survival. We hypothesize that these parameters are correlated with hydrologic conditions including depth, duration, timing, spatial extent and water quality. Salinity is a critical parameter in estuarine habitats. Assessments of parameters defined for crocodilian performance measures support these hypotheses.Alligators and crocodiles are the charismatic megafauna of the Everglades. They are both keystone and flagship species to which the public can relate. In addition, the parameters used to track trends are easy to understand. They provide answers to the following questions: How has the number of alligators or crocodiles changed? Are the animals fatter or thinner than they should be? Are the animal:3 in the places (in terms of habitat and geography) where they should be?As surely as there is no other Everglades, no other single species defines the Everglades as does the American alligator. The Everglades is the only place in the world where both alligators and crocodiles exist. Crocodilians clearly respond to changes in hydrologic parameters of management interest. These relationships are easy to communicate and mean something to managers, decision makers, and the public. Having crocodilians on the list of system-wide, general indicators provides us with one of the most powerful tools we have to communicate progress of ecosystem restoration in Greater Everglades ecosystems to diverse audiences. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.