The Influence of Hydrology and Associated Habitat Structure on Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Apple Snail Abundance and Recruitment

As the exclusive food of the endangered snail kite and prey to a variety of other wetland fauna, apple snails are generally recognized as a critical resource warranting monitoring in the context of the Greater Everglades ecosystem restoration. The overall goal of the project is to provide information to help predict the impact of changes in hydrology (and associated vegetation) to apple snail abundance following WCA-3A decompartmentalization.

The apple snail is an important performance measure in Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) because it is the exclusive prey of the snail kite, and information on apple snail production and spatial distribution under different water management is essential for CERP evaluations. The specific objectives for the project are as follows: 1) estimate apple snail abundance in wet prairie habitats (relatively short hydroperiod) relative to slough habitats (relatively longer hydroperiod) with potential linkages to snail kite foraging habitat selection; 2) estimate snail abundance in sites with foraging snail kites, and incorporate data from this study in to a larger coordinated effort to link snail kite habitat use and snail availability; and 3) document baseline seasonal apple snail egg production (not yet available in wetlands south of Lake Okeechobee) and assess the potential impacts of drying events on annual egg production.