Dataset: Squidpop data

Sites were selected to correspond to long-term monitoring sites from the statewide Texas Seagrass monitoring data set (see Congdon et al. 2019 for a more detailed description of pre and post Hurricane sampling sites). We focused on 20 of the long-term sampling sites that varied in magnitude and type of impact from Hurricane Harvey. Eight of the sites were located in southern Aransas Bay (Redfish Bay area) experienced high freshwater runoff and longer retention time of freshwater (> 2 months).  These sites included 4 that experienced high degrees of physical seagrass damage (>50 seagrass cover loss) and those with minimal seagrass loss (< 20% change in percent cover). Eight of the sites were located in northern Corpus Christi Bay (Redfish Bay area) and experienced freshwater runoff with shorter retention time (< 6 weeks).  These sites included 4 that experienced high degrees of physical seagrass damage (>50 seagrass cover loss) and those with minimal seagrass loss (< 20% change in percent cover).  Finally, 4 sites were located in the East Flat region of Corpus Christi bay which was further outside of the major impact zone and experienced lower degrees of seagrass loss and freshwater runoff. The 16 Redfish Bay area sites were sampled in November 2017, March 2018, July 2018, and November 2018.  The East flats sites were sampled during July and November 2018.

To assess relative scavenging/predation rates at each site, we use Squidpop consumption assays as described in Duffy et al. 2015.  Squidpops were placed 10cm above the sediment surface and set every 2 m along a 20 m transect at each site.  After 1 h, squidpops were scored for presence/absence of dried squid and the bottom type (seagrass/bare) was recorded.