Resident Fishes and Macrobenthos in Mangrove-Rimmed Habitats: Evaluation of Habitat Restoration by Hydrologic Modification

Abstract

An impounded area (Cabbagehead Bayou) in Upper Tampa Bay, Florida, was studied for 13 mo prior to and 22 mo after berm removal. Sampling for small fish and macrobenthos was conducted both at Cabbagehead Bayou and at a nearby control site, Double Branch Bay. Before and After Control and Impact (BACI) analyses, as well as similarity indices, were used to evaluate faunal characteristics in control versus impacted areas. Berm removal drastically changed periodicity of water cover in the impacted site, with the previously impounded site becoming almost entirely exposed during low tide. Fish abundances, biomass, and mean monthly number of species decreased in Cabbagehead Bayou after tidal flow was established as compared to when it was impounded. Responses of macrofauna varied among taxa, but total amphipod and polychaete abundance displayed a relative increase in the impacted site after berm removal. BACI analyses indicated that the relationship between mean values for almost all polychaete and amphipod taxa in the impacted and control sites changed significantly after berm removal. Additional differences were apparent in BACI analyses, which showed a significant change in the relationship of fish abundance and biomass at both sites for prebreach vs post-breach samples. The changes in relationships were generally not indicative of convergence of control and impacted sites, however. Community similarity of fish, amphipod, and polychaete assemblages increased during the last year of the post-breach sampling but remained generally very low. These findings suggest that distinct faunal responses to alteration of tidal periodicity can be detected within less than 2 yr after reestablishment of tidal flow. However, attainment of close correspondence to control conditions for certain fauna may require more than 22 mo. Therefore, future studies attempting to document recovery of restored wetlands may benefit from extended duration.