Abundance and Distribution of Commensal Amphipods From Common Marine Sponges of Southeast Florida

Marine sponges were examined from shallow waters of southeast Florida and the Florida Keys to determine species composition and distribution of commensal amphipod crustaceans from shallow reef, mangrove, and seagrass habitats. Twenty sponge species were investigated during this study, sixteen of which housed amphipods in the families Colomastigidae and/or Leucothoidae. Six species of commensal amphipods were identified. Leucothoe spinicarpa (Abildgaard) species complex was the most dominant amphipod commensal, representing 63% of the total amphipods collected. The L. spinicarpa complex contains four local morphotypes, which are diagnosed and briefly described. Common sponge hosts included Callyspongia vaginalis, Mycale sp., and Myriastra kallitetilla

Colorful sea whip

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources published guides to many threatened animals living in the state. This guide gives information about the Colorful sea whip, including description, status, habitat, conservation challenges & recommendations, and measures of success

An environmental monitoring study of hard bottom reef areas near the Charleston Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site

In order to monitor conditions in and around the Charleston Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site and its potential impact on surrounding hard bottom reef habitats a large monitoring effort has been ongoing. The current hard bottom reef monitoring study is part of a larger program to monitor conditions in and around the Charleston ODMDS. Specific objectives of the current hard bottom reef monitoring project described here were to document any changes in sedimentation rates, sponge/coral density, sponge/coral condition, finfish assemblages, and areal extent of six hard bottom reef areas over a five year period

An environmental assessment of the Charleston Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site and surrounding areas : physical and biological conditions after completion of the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project

A monitoring program of the physical and biological condition of bottom habitats within and surrounding the Charleston Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site was completed after the conclusion of disposal activities associated with the 1999-2002 Charleston Harbor Deepening Project. Approximately 20-25 million cubic yards of inner harbor and entrance channel materials were placed at the ODMDS as part of the project. Findings presented here include analyses of sediment characteristics, sediment contaminants, and benthic assemblages in the disposal zone, inner boundary zone, and outer boundary zone

Using historical data and meta-analyses to improve monitoring and management of beach nourishment in South Carolina : final report

Beach nourishment has become the primary tool for combating beach erosion in the southeast US and much of the world, and the incidence of nourishment projects has increased substantially over the past 20 years. The goal of the current study was to begin the process of centralizing and quantitatively synthesizing data from beach nourishment monitoring studies by focusing on only those projects performed in South Carolina