Abstract:

Our group is working to quantify and understand the effect of stressors – i.e., hydrocarbons, dispersants, freshwater diversion, and other remediation-related human activities – on marsh and adjacent open water communities. Specifically, we are measuring the effects of stressors on soil strength, marsh grass roots and above-ground biomass, insect and spider populations, and selected mollusk species (in the marsh and adjacent open waters). Stressors have both direct and indirect effects because, as hydrocarbons degrade, these compounds enter food webs via primary consumers such as mollusks and insects/spiders. These primary consumers, in turn, serve as food sources for higher trophic levels such as frogs, fish, birds and, ultimately, humans. The effects of a stressor can cascade through the community as members of lower trophic levels undergo changes in growth rate, mortality, reproduction, and recruitment. As a result, species turnover occurs and food web configuration and stability are altered. Our goal is to provide a benchmark study in ecosystem change analysis, to identify precursors to ecosystem trajectories before alternative states are realized, and to address societal concerns about wetland stability. This preliminary data focuses on the most effective means of collecting insects in the marsh.

Suggested Citation:

Linda Hooper-Bui. 2015. Insects in the Marsh: Is Sweeping or Vacuuming More Effective for Collecting Ants on Barataria Dunes. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7QV3JH1

Purpose:

This data focuses on whether vacuuming or sweeping is a better method for the collection of ants on the dunes.

Data Parameters and Units:

Quantitative data on the number of species collected in sweep and vacuum tests in relation to the presence of oil. Initial Data: Water temperature (F), Air temperature (F), Oil presence, Sweep #: number of species collected by sweep method, Vac#: number of species collected by vacuum method, oil total: total number of species collected in oil, no oil tot: total number of species collected in no oil present; Individual Vial Data: Species collected during one sweep; Identified counted: Species: number of species counted, S1: Sweep 1-8, V1: Vacuum 1-8, total sweep, total vacuum, total: total sweep and vacuum, oil total: total collected in oil, no oil total: total collected in no oil, sweep/oil: total collected during sweeps in oil, s/no oil: total collected during sweeps in no oil, vacuum/oil: total collected using vacuum in oil, v/no oil: total collected vacuumming in no oil, total sp. Sweep: total collected during sweeps in both oil and no oil, total sp. Vac: total collected during vacuuming in both oil and no oil, total sp.: total of species collected using both methods in presence or absence of oil; total sp. Oil: total collected in oil using both methods; total sp. No oil: total collected using both methods with no oil.

Individual Files: