BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF FILL-ROADS ACROSS SALT MARSHES

The purpose of this study was to determine the biological and environmental effects of the presence of fill-roads built across tidal salt marshes in the northern Gulf Coast of Florida. Seven sites within five marshes were selected for study in Wakulla, Taylor and Dixie counties. These sites were chosen because they appeared to represent various degrees of environmental modification, ranging in intensity from negligible to drastic. Vegetational zonation was determined at each site, and recent aerial photography supplemented these observations. Older photography was also studied when available. The densities of three species of molluscs were determined from quadrats and transects. Salinities and elevations above mean sea level were measured. When the resulting data revealed environmental modification attributable to the presence of a fill-road, the specific causes in terms of highway design were identified. Much of the contract work involved the testing of techniques to detect and assess environmental changes. Those reported herein are thought to be reliable and rapid and can be used effectively for future investigations of this kind. /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This report was sponsored by the State of Florida, Department of Transportation.
• Corporate Authors:

  Florida State University, Tallahassee

  Department of Biological Sciences
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32306
• Authors:
  • Clewell, A F
  • Gainey Jr, L F
  • Harlos, D P
  • Tobi, E R
• Publication Date: 1976-3-23

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 30 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Altitude; Biology; Data analysis; Environment; Fills; Highway design; Marshes; Mathematical analysis; Salinity; Salts; Vegetation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Elevation
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00168379
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1978 12:00AM