missed cryptic juveniles found by quadrat sampling. Search data displayed a greater 
pattern of central tendency, low coefficients of variation and more species encountered 
per unit effort in habitats with by population densities. Quadrat sampling data were 
right-skewed for low population density sites and had high coefficients of variation 
suggesting that estimates of population means by sample means may not be accurate 
when sampling only 5 m' 2 per replicate. Search sampling is cost effective in terms of 
data collected per unit of labor and appears to produce fairly reliable population 
estimates but data are in units of time spent searching versus preferred units of two- 
dimensional space. 
1992 
Meeder, J. F., R. Jones, J. J. O’Brien, M. S. Ross, R. J. Sawicki, and A. M. Strong (1994) 
Effects of Hurricane Andrew on Thalassia ecosystem dynamics and the stratigraphic 
record. Bull. Mar. Sci. . 54(3):1080. 
Abnormally high bottom currents associated with Hurricane Andrew had significant, 
varied and localized impacts on 7ha/ass/a-dominated marine meadows. Extensive areas 
of Thalassia beds along the west side of Totten Key lost up to 80% of their cover. Most 
grass bed loss was by the removal of D-shaped divots of grass. These divots are up to 
8 m wide and considerably longer, often coalescing. The Thalassia root system may be: 
(1) attached at the flat side of the *D‘ (and overturned or frequently rolled up like a 
carpet); (2) detached and transported out of the system; or (3) redeposited in either 
its upright growth position or upside down. Preservation of such erosional remnants 
should make future chronostratigraphic interpretations of similar settings very 
difficult. Several ecosystem processes are documented: (1) Thalassia detritus and 
fine-grained sediments were winnowed from grass beds; (2) previously continuous 
Thalassia beds are broken up and eroded, increasing water depth up to 45%; (3) 
previously buried sediments and nutrients are made available at the watersediment 
interface; (4) bottom habitat diversity is increased; (5) Thalassia edge is increased; 
and (6) mass export or turnover of stored organic carbon and nutrients occurred. 
Greatest Thalassia loss was closest to shore. Since bottom deepening is associated with 
cover loss, perhaps island leeward channel origin and maintenance is also associated 
with scouring storm bottom currents. 
1992 
Smith, T. J., M. B. Robblee, H. R. Wanless, and T. W. Doyle (1994) Mangroves, hurricanes, 
and lightning strikes. BioScience . 44(4):256-62. 
This paper describes the effect of Hurricane Andrew on mangroves of South Florida. 
The hurricane passed north of Florida Bay and the mangrove forests and interior 
marshes of Cape Sable and northern Florida Bay suffered minor defoliation and 
occasional fine-branch breakage. In comparison, mangroves were 80 to 95% destroyed 
by trunk snapping and uprooting along the west coast mangrove forests of the 
Everglades National Park. 
1992 0 
Szmant, A. M., and A. Forrester (1992) Sediment and water column nitrogen and 
phosphorus distribution patterns in the Florida Keys: SEAKEYS. Abs., 1992 Symp. on 
Florida Keys Regional Ecosystem, November 16 - 20, Miami, FL. 
[ABSTRACT ONLY. DATE OF SAMPLING UNKNOWN OR NOT APPLICABLE.] Nutrient 
studies were initiated under SEAKEYS because of the concern that anthropogenic 
nutrients may be impacting Florida coral reefs. Both water column and sediment 
nutrients are being studied, with the latter emphasized because they integrate the 
longer-term nutrient dynamics of each area. Samples were collected along eight 
transects from passes or canals to offshore of the reef-line. The four transects off Key 
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