Development of Integrated Sampling of Fishes in Forested Wetlands in South Florida with Emphasis on Food Web Structure

Another alteration to these systems has been the introduction of more than 10 species of non-native fishes. The Big Cypress Swamp and mangrove ecosystems have been affected by these anthropogenic activities, yet the effects are unclear because of the lack of study. In both ecosystems, there is little quantitative information on the community composition, size-structure, and biomass of fishes and macro-invertebrates because few studies have been carried out there, This is especially true in the forested habitats of those ecosystems.

Reasons for lack of study include logistical problems such as access to study areas and difficulties in devising appropriate sampling methods and feasible designs. However, because of the scope of anthropogenic changes in the drainage basins, there can be little doubt that the standing stocks of aquatic animals and habitat use have been affected negatively.