Exploring Novel Food Webs

Exploring Novel Food Webs Prior to Top Predator Recovery

Presenter: Joseph Jackson

Presenter Status: Graduate student

Department: Biology

Funding Source/Sponsor: Koret Scholars Program

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dnmuhCHF5iFOPcMH38fg-0bkiW4nACxw

Abstract:
The presence of mariculture operations in California estuaries has resulted in the introduction of non-native species such as European green crab (Carcinus maenas) non-native farming oysters (Crassostera gigas). These alterations can change species diversity and abundance, as well as present unfavorable conditions for recovering species. The goal of our study is to determine the consequences, if any, oyster farms have on sea otter (Enhydra lutris) prey items in estuarine habitats. This study focuses on larger benthic invertebrates (crab, clam and oysters), and determining how these estuarine communities change with varying degrees of bivalve farm activity. Here we present preliminary data that explores these novel food webs by looking at carb distribution and abundance.