North America: Research in the Field > Texas Whooping Cranes and Blue Crab Study > Blue Crab Studies
Blue Crab Studies
Understanding the organization of the Whooping Crane population at Aransas in relationship to the availability of blue crabs and other foods helps us understand the relationship of the population to its fragile wetland environment on the Texas coast. Using underwater cameras with infrared capabilities to record activities even in the darkness of night, Dr.Chavez-Ramirez was able to continuously monitor areas of the refuge where blue crabs are present. As a result, 768 hours of footage were recorded over a three-year period. Recording sessions were made at several day intervals, rather than continuously, in order to obtain variable physical and water quality conditions during the different sessions. As we have just completed the three-year study, recordings have not been thoroughly analyzed at this time. Based on experience to
date, we believe it is necessary to set up a permanent station where recording gear will be protected during periods of cold, rain, high winds, and curious wildlife, so that more regular and continuous sampling may occur over a longer period of time during future sessions.
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