Abstract:
The goal of the study is to assess the importance of the Matlacha Isles canal system as a secondary winter refuge site for Manatees in southwestern Florida by investigating seasonal patterns of manatee use of Matlacha Isles, Florida; daily patterns of manatee use of Matlacha Isles; and physical and chemical characteristics of the Matlacha Isles canal system and two apparently similar nearby canal systems that are not used by manatees. Activities that took place to collect data included the observation and sighting of manatees to assess movement patterns, photo-identification, and the capture and tagging of manatees in the selected area.
