An Evaluation of Fish and Invertebrate Communities in Sulphur Springs, Florida

     Water demand due to human population expansion in central Florida has increased ground-water removal, resulting in reduced groundwater and surface water levels, particularly during periods of low rainfall.  Reduced surface-water levels may have consequences for fish and invertebrate communities in rivers and lakes, where low water levels may reduce habitat availability and substantially alter fish and invertebrate communities.  Reduced water flow in coastal rivers and springs of Florida is of particular concern due to changes in salinity with reduced freshwater flow rates.  Saltwater intrusion due to low freshwater flows may extirpate freshwater fishes and invertebrates from freshwater refugia such as groundwater springs in coastal areas.  This study will provide data of freshwater and oligohaline fish and invertebrate community composition in Sulphur Springs Run, Florida, during a period of water diversion and potential saltwater intrusion.
 

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