Home : Features : About FWRI : Organization and Programs

Ecosystem Assessment And Restoration

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s habitat and ecosystem research provides the foundation for developing ecologically and environmentally sound restoration and enhancement practices, materials, and recommendations.

---

Photo Credit: FWC

The Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration (EAR) Section of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is composed of three major subsections: Habitat (Coral Habitat, Seagrass Habitat, Freshwater Plant Communities, and Upland Habitat), Harmful Algal Blooms, and Fish and Wildlife Health. The scope of the projects within this section reflects the diversity of Florida’s marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. Large-scale ecosystem monitoring and response to unusual plant or animal mortality events require close integration of EAR staff expertise and resources with the scientific and field capabilities of other research sections. Staff members in the EAR section assess the ecological status of habitats and plant and animal communities statewide. They also design and conduct field and laboratory experiments addressing specific issues. Scientists develop techniques to measure stress in coastal plant communities and work on methods to enhance and reestablish estuarine and freshwater plants.

Scientists work closely with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) managers to develop best management practices in order to protect and improve upland habitat quality and wildlife diversity on state-managed lands. Other habitat projects include monitoring coral communities in the Florida Keys, assessing the status of freshwater plants in rivers and lakes, and science-based vegetation monitoring in FWC’s Wildlife Management and Environmental Areas.

Aquatic mortality events, monitoring of red tide and other harmful algal blooms, habitat damage assessment, and restoration are prominent components of this section. Ongoing health investigations include puffer fish poisoning (assessing risks to coastal resources and human health), the effects of phycotoxins on the health of fish and wildlife, lesions in fish, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in panthers, and surveillance of birds for avian influenza.

Within EAR, a forensics program provides coordination within FWC and other agencies and institutions for law enforcement officers and scientists seeking forensic services involving fish and wildlife. Staff in this program assist in law enforcement investigations to minimize judicial costs and provide a deterrent to illegal and irresponsible use of fish and wildlife. The forensics program includes training new recruits at the agency’s law enforcement academy; establishing a network of external resources to provide support to ongoing investigations; and providing direct support in the form of laboratory analysis, consultation, and assistance in field investigations.

Photo Credit: Randy Kautz

In addition to directed studies on particular areas or organisms of concern, staff members monitor Florida’s upland, freshwater, and nearshore marine systems, assess environmental impacts, and develop techniques to restore degraded fish and wildlife habitat. Technical support services for the section include state-of-the-art histology, electron microscopy, microbiology laboratories, dive operations, environmental chemistry, and taxonomic quality assurance. The statewide infrastructure of the section complements the interdependence of the science sections of FWRI.

Additional Information:

• 2007-2008 Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration (PDF file—456 KB)
  
• Fish and Wildlife Forensics
  
• Habitat Research
  
• Harmful Algal Bloom Research
  
• Fish and Wildlife Health Research

Learn more about the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.

---

To download Adobe Reader visit http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html