Summer Environmental StudyErika Berlik
2023 The Garden Club of America Awards for Summer Environmental Studies
Examining Adjacency Effects of Mangrove and Seagrass Ecosystems on Fish Abundance and Community Composition
Berlik will investigate the effects of adjacent seagrass and mangroves on fish community composition and abundance. Field research at sites containing seagrasses and mangroves alone, as well as areas where they intersect, will allow Berlik to understand how fish utilize the ecosystems. Remote underwater videos will be taken using unmanned cameras elevated over the seafloor, and footage will be used to determine abundance, species, life stage, and ecological role of fish observed. The study will provide a greater understanding of the services the ecosystems provide to fish communities and how they may be maximized when mangroves and seagrass are adjacent to one another.
The Garden Club of America Awards for Summer Environmental Studies
To encourage studies and careers in the environmental field, with the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience beyond the regular course of study.
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