hydrocarbons. Carbonate sediments deposited in low energy, shallow-water, 
environments have the potential to be good oil source rocks. 
1987 0 
Pike, S. F. (1987) Computer simulation of configuration and sealevel changes in Florida Bay. 
M. S. Thesis. Wichita State University, Wichita, KS. 160 pp. 
[DATE OF SAMPLING UNKNOWN OR NOT APPLICABLE.) Florida Bay is a large triangular, 
shallow-marine, shovel-shaped basin at the southern tip of mainland Florida. The Bay is 
bounded to the south and east by the Florida Keys, to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, 
and to the north by the Florida Everglades. Florida Bay covers approximately 900 sq 
mi. The Bay has been the site of numerous sedimentological studies since it was 
discovered that in situ calcium carbonate is being deposited there. A quantitative 
simulation of the Bay was developed using basic data from previous studies. This study 
was done to be able to predict possible future configurations of the Bay with different 
topographic, structural, and sealevel changes. There has been some discussion recently 
about whether Florida Bay is filling in with sediment or eroding, and whether sealevel 
is rising faster than the rate of accumulation. The three main features of this 
simulation, which uses the present configuration compiled from available navigation 
charts are: (1) use of a modified Holocene sealevel curve; (2) different waves of 
generation and accumulation of carbonate mud; and (3) tilting of the Bay to the 
southwest at variable rates. By differing the three variables, it is possible to project 
forward in time to predict future conditions. The study determined that sealevel was 
the major factor of the factors simulated, in controlling the configuration of the Bay. It 
also was determined that the Bay is filling in with sediment from the north and west. 
1987 0 
Powell, G. V. N. (1987) Habitat use by wading birds in a subtropical estuary: implications 
of hydrography. The Auk . 104:740-9. 
[DATE OF SAMPLING UNKNOWN OR NOT APPLICABLE.) The dynamics of foraging habitat 
use by long-legged wading birds was analyzed with respect to water-level fluctuation 
patterns in Florida Bay. Wading bird presence at four sites situated to sample the 
heterogeneity of the Bay was quantified by repeated surveys collected throughout the 
day and year. Models for habitat availability were generated using water-level data 
collected from continuous recorders, staff gauges, and habitat profile maps. These 
models were tested against the survey data. Roseate spoonbills ( Ajaja ajaja) foraged on 
the study areas primarily at night. Great blue herons ( Ardea herodias) fed both day and 
night, but primarily at night where the tidal range was small. Great egrets 
(Casmerodius albus ), snowy ( Egretta thula) and reddish (E. rufescens) egrets, little 
blue (E. caerulea) and tricolored (E. tricolor) and white Ibis ( Eudocimus albus) fed 
during daylight. Where tidal range was small (<5 cm) diurnal species fed throughout the 
day. Florida Bay has a pronounced annual water-level cycle that causes monthly mean 
water levels to vary by as much as 30 cm between October (high) and May (low). 
Models derived from hydrology data predicted that this seasonal variation in water 
level would have a major impact on habitat availability, particularly where tidal flux 
was small. The predictions were supported by survey data. At sites with minor tides, 
most wading-bird species had a cycle in seasonal abundance that correlated with 
seasonal changes in water level. Only the tallest species, Ardea herodias, was 
uniformly present throughout the year. The large daily range in tide (approximately 80 
cm) afforded year round access to foraging habitat and these abundance patterns did not 
exist. The seasonal variability in habitat availability has major management 
implications because the maintenance of stable wading bird populations depends on the 
availability of alternative foraging sites when water levels are high. Historically these 
sites have tended to be targeted for human development. 
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