DISCUSSION


 Spatial and Temporal Patterns

 Ponds of south Florida differ in their abilities to

provide year-around support for the food fish of Wood

Storks, depending upon their depth, size, and position in

the regional topography. Fish life is ephermeral in many

ponds. Whether a pond retains fish all year depends on the

pattern of rainfall. All ponds that dry completely must be

colonized anew each wet season. Connections between newly

flooded ponds and areas that are a source of fish are

necessary for repopulation by most species, and such

passageways are not open every year, particularly in upland

locations.

 The field study at Corkscrew marsh suggested that some

of the major fish species did not survive the dry season in

Mud Lake Pond, but were rerecruited from Lake Trafford more

than 3 miles (4.8 km) away. When the water rises above

approximately 19 ft (5.8 m), Lake Trafford is connected to

the pond by a continuous sheet of water and may serve as a

stock source of Bluegill, Redear, and other sunfish for

Corkscrew marsh. Proximity of this large permanent body

of water may be a major factor in making Corkscrew marsh an

important feeding habitat for Wood Storks. There probably

are very few water bodies in southwest Florida that can

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