On behalf of all co-authors, we are pleased to share our recent publication:
Hieb, E.E., E.A. Eniang, L.W. Keith-Diagne, and R.H. Carmichael. 2021. In‐Water Bridge Construction Effects on Manatees with Implications for Marine Megafauna Species. The Journal of Wildlife Management 1–12; 2021. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22030. To request a copy of the paper, please contact [email protected]. Abstract: Globally, increasing coastal development requires construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure that affects terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Construction of bridges as part of transportation networks introduces a series of risks to aquatic species near construction zones. We reviewed relevant literature and obtained exemplary case studies to synthesize potential effects of bridge construction on the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), a nearshore megafauna species vulnerable to human activities. Stages of bridge construction including dredging, pile driving, and installation and assembly of bridge components each involve potential direct and indirect effects on manatees. Direct effects such as vessel interactions, entanglement or ingestion, and entrainment may result in acute physical injury or mortality. Indirect effects from construction such as habitat obstruction or degradation and increased noise from construction activities can alter behavior and intraspecies communication and reduce access to essential resources. Some effects of construction may be immediately difficult to quantify, but cumulative effects through time can result in major habitat and species loss. To prevent large‐scale negative effects of construction on manatees and other aquatic species, use and evaluation of mitigation strategies should be implemented pre‐, during, and post‐construction. As the global human population increasingly occupies coastal zones, effective planning of coastal development, including bridge and other in‐water construction, will be essential to support conservation and recovery efforts for manatees and other species at risk in these areas. Elizabeth Hieb, M.S. Dauphin Island Sea Lab Manatee Sighting Network Research Technician 101 Bienville Blvd. Dauphin Island, AL 36528 Phone: (251) 861-2141 ext.7547 This document, including any attachments, contains privileged and/or confidential information. You may neither use, copy, nor deliver to anyone this document or any of its contents or attachments. All data (broadly defined as but not limited to numerical, descriptive, narrative, image, biological or environmental samples, raw or summary data, or any other content herein) belong to the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network (ALMMSN) and/or the Manatee Sighting Network under the auspices of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) as an agent of the state of Alabama. Use of these data in any form must be requested and approved by contacting Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael ([email protected]),. ALMMSN/MSN and DISL reserve the right to review, comment and consult on all data sharing and requests for data use. All data use, including analyses and products of any kind (print, oral, visual, archival, internal or external), after approval, must acknowledge and properly cite the DISL, ALMMSN and/or MSN, and data-specific personnel (that may include but not be limited to students, staff, faculty or administrators who contributed data). Approved data users must request the most up-to-date citation from Dr. Carmichael immediately prior to each use.
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