Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Hughes, Colin

Abstract

The effect of artificial reefs on natural reefs is poorly understood. This study focused on Aquarius Reef Base (ARB), an underwater habitat offshore of Key Largo, Florida, and 14 natural reef sites spanning 4 habitats, on the surrounding Conch Reef. Food web models were created for ARB and natural reef habitats. Biomass at each habitat was quantified by fish surveys. Using Ecopath, species were organized into functional groups with supporting data from previous research for other inputs. ARB’s food web was found to have a large predator biomass with insufficient prey biomass to sustain the population, suggesting that these predators must forage on nearby natural reefs where the predator/prey ratio is smaller. Between 0.57km2 and 1.79km2 of natural reef is estimated to be a sufficient spatial subsidy for the large predatory biomass at ARB when the biomass is added as determined by the seascape around the artificial reef.

Extent

80 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00013798

Format

pdf

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