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.