U.S. Geological Survey

The pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum, was chosen as a faunal indicator of the ecosystem status of southern estuaries because the species is abundantly represented, wide spread and is economically as well as ecologically important. Furthermore, it has been extensively studied in South Florida with previous work suggesting relationships with salinity, and long data series are available for some locations to help establish targets. South Florida’s southernmost estuaries—Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay, and the mangrove estuaries of the lower southwest coast—provide critical nursery habitat for many species of fish and invertebrates that support ecological food webs and fisheries. Salinity patterns influence their habitat quality. Salinity patterns are established and maintained by the volume and timing of freshwater inputs, controlled not only by weather but also by water management. Previous structural and operational changes in South Florida’s water management system have altered salinity patterns and salinity fluctuations in the southern estuaries, deteriorating the quality and spatial extent of nursery habitat for pink shrimp and other species