For the Springs Virtual Speaker & Performance Series "Where Have All the Gators Gone?"

Speak For the Springs:   Bob Deyle presents "Where Have All the Gators Gone? Wildlife Diversity and Abundance Trends on the Upper Wakulla River"

The upper Wakulla River ecosystem has experienced several significant perturbations in the 34 years since the State Park was established. Wildlife monitoring initiated in 1992 has revealed that total animal abundance on the river has decreased: between 1992 and 2018 14 species decreased, four increased, and six exhibited no statistically significant long-term trend.

The alligator, as a top generalist, offers a bellwether of the changes experienced by the river ecosystem. In this webinar, park volunteer Bob Deyle, will present the stories of the alligator and several other species to examine these trends and the apparent effects of the ecosystem disturbances that have occurred.

Bob Deyle is a volunteer river boat guide at Wakulla Springs State Park and manager of the park’s volunteer wildlife monitoring program. A professor emeritus of environmental planning at Florida State University, he retired in August 2013. He currently serves as chair of the Wakulla Springs Alliance. Deyle holds degrees in biology, environmental management, and environmental science.

Photos courtesy of Bob Thompson.