Document of bibliographic reference 304413

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Book/Monograph

Type of document

Dissertation

BibLvlCode

M

Title

Legacy Habitat Suitability of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in Louisiana: a prelude to Mississippi River Delta freshwater diversions

Abstract

The Louisiana oyster industry is greatly impacted by freshwater and sediment diversions that are part of the effort to restore the state’s coastline. A habitat suitability index (HSI) proposes species-habitat relationships that can be instrumental in creating impact assessments and suitability predictions for management as new diversions are implemented. An oyster (Crassostrea virginica) HSI was developed using three variables crucial to oyster sustainability: average annual salinity, minimum monthly salinity, and average salinity during the spawning season. These Legacy HSI visualizations show annual fluctuations in the distribution of zones suitable for oyster cultivation prior to proposed diversions in Pontchartrain and Barataria Basins from 1967 to 2016. Modeling suitability based upon these variables can provide crucial information for timing the use of diversions to lessen harmful effects upon the oyster industry as well as indicate new potentially suitable areas that the diversions may create.

Bibliographic citation

Denapolis, T.M.V. (2018). Legacy Habitat Suitability of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in Louisiana: a prelude to Mississippi River Delta freshwater diversions. University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 2560. MSc Thesis. University of New Orleans: New Orleans. viii, 130 pp.

Access rights

open access

Is accessible for free

true