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Abstract
Nekton communities were sampled from 38 Hawaiian coastal wetlands from 2007 to 2009 using lift nets, seines, and throw nets in an attempt to increase our understanding of the nekton assemblages that utilize these poorly studied ecosystems. Nekton were dominated by exotic species, primarily poeciliids (Gambusia affinis,Poecilia spp.) and tilapia. These fish were present in 50–85% of wetlands sampled; densities were up to 15 times greater than native species. High densities of exotic fish were generally found in isolated wetlands with no connection to the ocean, were often the only nekton present, were positively correlated with surface water total dissolved nitrogen, and were negatively correlated with native species richness. Native species were present in wetlands with complete or partial connection to the ocean. Additional studies are needed to document exotic fish impacts on native fish and bird habitat and whether native fish communities can contribute to invasion resistance of coastal wetlands. Future wetland restoration should include exotic fish eradication, maintenance of hydrological connection to the ocean, or programs to prevent future introductions in order to create wetlands that support native-dominated nekton communities.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Caitlin Kryss, Meris Bantilan-Smith, and Gwen DeMent for invaluable field assistance. We also thank Adonia Henry, Christina Ryder, Kimberly Peyton, Arleone Dibben-Young, Dr. Scott Fischer, Dr. Dianne Drigot, Michael Silbernagle, Glynnis Nakai, David Smith, Dr. David Burney, Michael Mitchell, Dr. Fern Duvall, D. Ivy, J. Redunzle, Thomas Kaiakapu, Sally Beavers, Stephen Berkson, and Propane Pete for logistical and/or sampling help. Dr. Bob Nishimoto, Alton Miyaska, and Glen Higashi assisted in getting the permits for nekton sampling. Dr. Paul Scowcroft and Dr. Michelle Reynolds provided input that significantly increased the quality of this manuscript. Funding for this project was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region IX Wetland Program Development Grant program. Although this research has been funded by the EPA, it has not been subjected to any EPA review and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency, and no official endorsement should be inferred.
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USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, 60 Nowelo St., Hilo, HI, 96721, USA
Richard Ames MacKenzie
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1910 East-West Rd., Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
Gregory L. Bruland
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MacKenzie, R.A., Bruland, G.L. Nekton Communities in Hawaiian Coastal Wetlands: The Distribution and Abundance of Introduced Fish Species.Estuaries and Coasts35, 212–226 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-011-9427-1
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