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Minnowtrap Data from Rookery Branch and the North, Watson, and Roberts Rivers National Park (FCE) from November 2004 to April 2008


At a Glance


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Authors: Jennifer Rehage
Time period: 2004-11-02 to 2008-04-30
Package id: knb-lter-fce.1165.3
Dataset id: LT_TDCS_Rehage_002

How to cite:
Rehage, J.. 2024. Minnowtrap Data from Rookery Branch and the North, Watson, and Roberts Rivers National Park (FCE) from November 2004 to April 2008. Environmental Data Initiative. https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/075fbfe89bd4ab194c92a6d1c9f7e162. Dataset accessed 2024-04-30.

Geographic Coverage


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Detailed Metadata


  • Dataset Creator(s)
    • Name: Dr. Jennifer Rehage 
    • Position: Lead Principal Investigator
    • Organization: Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program
    • Address: Florida International University
      University Park
      Miami, FL 33199 USA
    • Phone: 305-348-3804
    • Email: rehagej@fiu.edu

  • Dataset Abstract
    This study examines temporal and spatial dynamics in the fish community of the oligohaline to mesohaline reaches of ecotonal creeks along the southwest region of Everglades National Park. Sampling is conducted at 15 mangrove creeks in two drainages: Rookery Branch and the North, Roberts, and Watson rivers. The sampling in Rookery Branch expands over a 12-km stretch of ecotonal mangrove creeks upstream of Tarpon Bay. Minnow traps are used to target small-bodied forage fish. Sampling started in the wet season of 2004, and has been conducted three times per year at these approximate times: November (wet season); February (transition); and April (dry season). In the Rookery Branch region, fish abundance varies markedly yearly and seasonally. Catches peak in the drier months, reflecting a pulse of movement by freshwater taxa into creeks as marshes upstream dry. The timing of this pulse is closely tied to the pattern of water recession in upstream marshes, and has important ramifications for wading bird prey availability.
  • Geographic Coverage
    Study Extent Description
    The Study Extent of this dataset includes areas near FCE Shark River Slough research sites (downstream of SRS 3 and upstream of SRS 4) from Rookery Branch within Everglades National Park, South Florida

    Bounding Coordinates
    Rookery Branch 7
    N: 25.429, S: 25.429, E: -80.897, W: -80.897

    Rookery Branch 8
    N: 25.455, S: 25.455, E: -80.872, W: -80.872

    Rookery Branch 9
    N: 25.460, S: 25.460, E: -80.862, W: -80.862

    Rookery Branch 10
    N: 25.464, S: 25.464, E: -80.865, W: -80.865

    Rookery Branch 11
    N: 25.464, S: 25.464, E: -80.876, W: -80.876

    Rookery Branch 12
    N: 25.459, S: 25.459, E: -80.916, W: -80.916

    Rookery Branch 13
    N: 25.45, S: 25.45, E: -80.89, W: -80.89

    Rookery Branch 14
    N: 25.43, S: 25.43, E: -80.92, W: -80.92

    Rookery Branch 15
    N: 25.42, S: 25.42, E: -80.95, W: -80.95

    Rookery Branch 16
    N: 25.45, S: 25.45, E: -80.94, W: -80.94

    North River 1
    N: 25.36, S: 25.36, E: -80.90, W: -80.90

    North River 2
    N: 25.36, S: 25.36, E: -80.89, W: -80.89

    North River 3
    N: 25.34, S: 25.34, E: -80.90, W: -80.90

    Roberts River 4
    N: 25.34, S: 25.34, E: -80.90, W: -80.90

    Roberts River 5
    N: 25.39, S: 25.39, E: -80.90, W: -80.90

    Watson River 4
    N: 25.37, S: 25.37, E: -80.94, W: -80.94

    Watson River 5
    N: 25.38, S: 25.38, E: -80.94, W: -80.94

    Watson River 6
    N: 25.38, S: 25.38, E: -80.95, W: -80.95

    FCE LTER Sites
    SRS 3 and SRS 4

  • Attributes
    • Data Table:   Minnowtrap Data from Rookery Branch and the North, Watson, and Roberts Rivers National Park
      Attribute Name:
      DATE
      Attribute Label:
      DATE
      Attribute Definition:
      Collection Date
      Storage Type:
      dateTime
      Measurement Scale:
      Missing Value Code:
       

      Attribute Name:
      SEASON
      Attribute Label:
      season
      Attribute Definition:
      Everglades Season
      Storage Type:
      text
      Measurement Scale:
      WET= wet season
      DRY= dry season
      TRANS= Transitional season
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      SITENAME
      Attribute Label:
      sitename
      Attribute Definition:
      Name of Site
      Storage Type:
      text
      Measurement Scale:
      text
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      PAIR
      Attribute Label:
      minnow trap pair
      Attribute Definition:
      minnow trap pair number
      Storage Type:
      code
      Measurement Scale:
      text
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      LOC
      Attribute Label:
      location
      Attribute Definition:
      trap location in the water column
      Storage Type:
      code
      Measurement Scale:
      T= Top trap
      B= Bottom trap
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S1_count
      Attribute Label:
      species count
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S2_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 2
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S3_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 3
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Sheepshead minnow, Cyprinodon variegatus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S4_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 4
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Marsh killifish, Fundulus confluentus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S5_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 5
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Flagfish, Jordanella floridae
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S6_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 6
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Least killifish, Heterandria formosa
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S7_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 7
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Bluefin killifish, Lucania goodei
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S8_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 8
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Golden topminnow, Fundulus chrysotus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S10_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 10
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Brook silverside, Labidesthes sicculus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S12_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 12
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Inland silverside, Menidia beryllina
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S30_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 30
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Coastal shiner, Notropis petersoni
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S34_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 34
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Seminole killifish, Fundulus seminolis
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S36_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 36
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Hogchoker, Trinectes maculatus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S37_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 37
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Tadpole madtom, Noturus gyrinus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S38_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 38
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Warmouth, Lepomis gulosus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S41_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 41
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Spotted sunfish, Lepomis punctatus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S42_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 42
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Dollar sunfish, Lepomis marginatus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S46_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 46
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Everglades pygmy sunfish, Elassoma evergladei
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S47_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 47
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Bluespotted sunfish, Enneacanthus gloriosus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S54_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 52
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Black acara, Cichlasoma bimaculatum
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S58_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 58
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Rainwater killifish, Lucania parva
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S67_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 67
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Clown goby, Microgobius gulosus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S71_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 71
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Crested goby, Lophogobius cyprinoides
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S72_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 72
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Naked goby, Gobiosoma bosc
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S75_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 75
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      77_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 77
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Spotted tilapia, Tilapia mariae
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S82_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 82
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S84_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 84
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Mayan cichlid, Cichlasoma urophthalmus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S88_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 88
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Jewel cichlid, Hemichromis letourneuxi
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S103_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 103
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Tidewater mojarra, Eucinostomus harengulus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S104_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 104
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S106_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 106
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Code goby, Gobiosoma robustrum
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      S115_count
      Attribute Label:
      species 115
      Attribute Definition:
      number of Unidentified mojarra species, Eucinostomus sp
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: number
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      CPUE
      Attribute Label:
      catch per unit effort
      Attribute Definition:
      Catch Per Unit Effort
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: catchPerUnitEffort
      Precision: 1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      DEPTH_Creek
      Attribute Label:
      depth
      Attribute Definition:
      Depth to Creek bottom
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: meter
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      TEMP
      Attribute Label:
      temperature
      Attribute Definition:
      Temperature
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: celsius
      Precision: 0.1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      DO
      Attribute Label:
      dissolved oxygen
      Attribute Definition:
      Dissolved oxygen
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: milligramsPerLiter
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      DO_perSat
      Attribute Label:
      dissolved oxygen percent saturation
      Attribute Definition:
      dissolved oxygen percent saturation
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: percent
      Precision: 0.1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      Specific_Conductance
      Attribute Label:
      specific conductance
      Attribute Definition:
      Specific conductance
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: microsiemensPerCentimeter
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value was not recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      Salinity
      Attribute Label:
      salinity
      Attribute Definition:
      Salinity
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: PSU
      Precision: 0.1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0 (Value was not recorded)


  • Methods
    Sampling Description
    Sampling is conducted at 15 mangrove creeks in two drainages: Rookery Branch and the North, Roberts, and Watson rivers. Minnow traps are used to target small-bodied forage fish. We sample the upper 100-m reaches of each creek with 3-mm mesh metal minnow traps. The minnow trap is an entrapment gear that typically targets small fishes and invertebrates, as well as juveniles of larger species. Minnow traps have two conical-shapled funnel openings (2.54 cm diameter) that inhibit animals from escaping once they enter the trap. Minnow traps are most efficient in capturing bottom-dwelling fishes and invertebrates, although it has been our experience that top-dwelling fish such as eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) are caught commonly in traps set at the surface of the water column. Thus, we use paired traps, one set on the bottom and the other suspended at the top of the water column, attached to mangrove prop roots. We deploy five pairs of traps per creek randomly along the uppermost 100-m stretch in each creek. The traps are deployed unbaited overnight along the fringing mangroves for an approximately 24-h catch effort. Fishes and decapods captured from minnow traps are preserved in 10 percent buffered formalin and returned to the laboratory for processing. According to the standardized animal care guidelines, we euthanize all collected fish with an overdose of MS-222 prior to fixation. Specimens are retained in formalin for approximately one week to allow proper fixation, and then are preserved in 70 percent ethanol before processing. During each sampling event, we use a YS 85 unit to record physico-chemical parameters (water temperature, specific conductance/salinity, and dissolved oxygen) when retrieving minnow traps.

    Method Step

    Description
    Sampling is conducted at 15 mangrove creeks in two drainages: Rookery Branch and the North, Roberts, and Watson rivers. Minnow traps are used to target small-bodied forage fish. We sample the upper 100-m reaches of each creek with 3-mm mesh metal minnow traps. The minnow trap is an entrapment gear that typically targets small fishes and invertebrates, as well as juveniles of larger species. Minnow traps have two conical-shapled funnel openings (2.54 cm diameter) that inhibit animals from escaping once they enter the trap. Minnow traps are most efficient in capturing bottom-dwelling fishes and invertebrates, although it has been our experience that top-dwelling fish such as eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) are caught commonly in traps set at the surface of the water column. Thus, we use paired traps, one set on the bottom and the other suspended at the top of the water column, attached to mangrove prop roots. We deploy five pairs of traps per creek randomly along the uppermost 100-m stretch in each creek. The traps are deployed unbaited overnight along the fringing mangroves for an approximately 24-h catch effort. Fishes and decapods captured from minnow traps are preserved in 10 percent buffered formalin and returned to the laboratory for processing. According to the standardized animal care guidelines, we euthanize all collected fish with an overdose of MS-222 prior to fixation. Specimens are retained in formalin for approximately one week to allow proper fixation, and then are preserved in 70 percent ethanol before processing. During each sampling event, we use a YS 85 unit to record physico-chemical parameters (water temperature, specific conductance/salinity, and dissolved oxygen) when retrieving minnow traps.

    References:
    Everhart, W H , W D Youngs. 1981. Principles of fisheries science. . 2nd, Comstock, Ithaca, NY,

    Kelsch, S W , B Shields. 1996. Care and handling of sample organisms. p. 121-155 in Murphy, B R , D W Willis. , (eds). Fisheries Techniques. 2nd, American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD,

    Instrumentation
    Fifty 3-mm mesh metal minnow traps are used, A YSI 85 unit is used to record physico-chemical parameters, GPS, meter stick, satellite phone, 10% formalin, sample storage buckets, sample storage bags, data notebooks, datasheets, pencils, sharpies

    Quality Control
    All data from sampling, catch, and processing datasheets are entered in spreadsheet format using Microsoft Excel. Separate files are created and managed for two sampling methods (electrofishing and minnow trapping). Since analyses are multiyear, all years of data are combined into a single file, and as new data is gathered, it is added to a master datafile containing all previous years of data. Post data entry, data are verified and validated by a different technician from the technician that entered the data. Then, the data files are cleaned and formatted for statistical analyses.
  • Distribution and Intellectual Rights
    Online distribution
    https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/knb-lter-fce/1165/3/fdb47cf189d2895bce2ddf15747aca00
    Data Submission Date:  2009-01-30

    Intellectual Rights
    This information is released under the Creative Commons license - Attribution - CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The consumer of these data ("Data User" herein) is required to cite it appropriately in any publication that results from its use. The Data User should realize that these data may be actively used by others for ongoing research and that coordination may be necessary to prevent duplicate publication. The Data User is urged to contact the authors of these data if any questions about methodology or results occur. Where appropriate, the Data User is encouraged to consider collaboration or co-authorship with the authors. The Data User should realize that misinterpretation of data may occur if used out of context of the original study. While substantial efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of data and associated documentation, complete accuracy of data sets cannot be guaranteed. All data are made available "as is." The Data User should be aware, however, that data are updated periodically and it is the responsibility of the Data User to check for new versions of the data. The data authors and the repository where these data were obtained shall not be liable for damages resulting from any use or misinterpretation of the data. Thank you.

  • Keywords
    populations, FCE, Florida Coastal Everglades LTER, ecological research, long-term monitoring, consumer dynamics, fishes, Rookery Branch, Minnow traps, Everglades National Park, catches, consumers, freshwater, estuarine, biology, species, Salinity, temperature, depth, counts, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, percent dissolved oxygen
  • Data Table and Format
    Data Table:  Minnowtrap Data from Rookery Branch and the North, Watson, and Roberts Rivers National Park

    Entity Name:
    LT_TDCS_Rehage_002
    Entity Description:
    Minnowtrap Data from Rookery Branch and the North, Watson, and Roberts Rivers National Park
    Object Name:
    LT_TDCS_Rehage_002.csv
    Number of Header Lines:
    1
    Attribute Orientation:
    column
    Field Delimiter:
    ,
    Number of Records:
    1601