USACE Grant: Everglades Apple Snail Population Response to Hydrology Changes

Brief Description of Anticipated Work:

The purpose of this research is to provide estimates of apple snail distribution, density, and reproduction in response to hydrologic changes associated with the current water control plan (e.g. Combined Operational Plan (COP)) that guides operations in south Florida. This project should be designed to determine apple snail population response to changes in hydrology associated with implementation of the 2020 COP Water Control Plan. 

The objectives of the proposed research are to:

Objective 1: Determine statistically robust annual estimates of native and nonnative apple snail distribution, density, and egg cluster production in the Everglades wetlands ecosystem, with a focus on WCA 3A and in Everglade snail kite foraging areas when present (as determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)), and assess how conditions and management actions affect these estimates.

Objective 2: Determine the habitat characteristics, hydroperiod, gage-specific seasonal water levels and transitions, recession and ascension rates, and other factors that are most supportive of apple snail density, survival, recruitment, and egg cluster production and survival; and estimate values of these parameters that result in maximum apple snail densities and maximum densities/per capita egg production (PCE) within the Everglades wetlands ecosystem.

Objective 3: Provide data in support of scientific studies of inter-relationships among apple snail demography, hydrologic regime, habitat characteristics, and other factors.

Objective 4: Synthesize new data with existing information to provide annual updates on the factors that are most supportive of apple snail density, survival, recruitment, and egg cluster production and survival. Each year, summarize apple snail responses to management and conditions and provide specific management recommendations to increase apple snail density and reproductive success in the Greater Everglades wetlands ecosystem

Deliverables:

Quarterly Status Reports: Quarterly status reports will be delivered every 90 days on a quarterly basis. Each report will summarize work done and problems encountered during the reporting period, as appropriate.

Annual Report: A draft and final annual report will be submitted at the completion of each year of the cooperative agreement. The draft and final annual report will contain at minimum, an introduction section, a description of the methods used, an evaluation of the data collected during the reporting period for a given year, and a conclusion section. A draft annual report will be submitted upon completion of each year of the cooperative agreement and will be reviewed by the USACE, Jacksonville District, with comments provided as appropriate. Submittal of the final annual report will occur after incorporation of the provided comments as necessary. An accompanying dataset will also be made available.    

Final Report: A final report will be submitted one month prior to completion of the cooperative agreement. The final report will be a substitute for the annual report described above. The final report will contain at minimum an introduction section, a description of the methods used, an evaluation of the data collected during each year of the cooperative agreement, and a conclusion section. The purpose of the final report will be to provide a summary of all years of work conducted under the cooperative agreement. A draft of the final report will be submitted and reviewed by the USACE, Jacksonville District, with comments provided as appropriate. Final submittal of the report will occur after incorporation of the provided comments as necessary. An accompanying dataset will also be made available.   

Meetings:

Kick-Off Meeting: A kick-off meeting will be scheduled with the USACE, Jacksonville District to introduce the recipient of the cooperative agreement to the USACE point of contact and to discuss the proposed plan of work for the base year of the cooperative agreement. 

Yearly Meetings: A yearly meeting will be scheduled with the USACE, Jacksonville District following completion of the final annual report and final report, as described above, to discuss work accomplished.