Effect of Hurricane Charlie on smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) nursery habitats in Charlotte Harbor, Florida.

Abstract

An assessment of the damage to shoreline mangrove habitats following Hurricane Charley was undertaken to evaluate the potential remaining for the area to serve as nursery habitat for an endangered species, smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata). Damage and mortality pattern along the hurricane track was severest along the east side of the compact north traveling system. It is unclear at present whether the damage will have a negative impact on the area's ability to serve as a sawfish nursery area. Additional studies are currently underway.