Shirley Baker

0000-0003-4355-5420

The Role of Salinity in Hard Clam Aquaculture

Shirley Baker, Elise Hoover, and Leslie Sturmer

Diagnostic Methods for the Comprehensive Health Assessment of the Long-Spined Sea Urchin, Diadema antillarum

Ruth Francis-Floyd, Jan Landsberg, Roy Yanong, Yasu Kiryu, Shirley Baker, Deborah Pouder, William Sharp, Gabriel Delgado, Nicole Stacy, Tom Waltzek, Heather Walden, Roxanna Smolowitz, and Greg Beck

This 55-page document contains a wealth of information on the long-spined sea urchin, which is an important animal in coral reef ecosystems. The publication discusses diagnostic methods for Diadema antillarum and provides reporting forms for laboratory and diagnostic work.

Oyster-Predator Dynamics and Climate Change

Gabrielle Love, Shirley Baker, and Edward V. Camp

Molluscan Shellfish Aquaculture and Production

Huiping Yang, Leslie N. Sturmer, and Shirley Baker

Standardized Invasive Species Terminology for Effective Outreach Education

Basil V. Iannone III, Emily C. Bell, Shannon Carnevale, Jeff E. Hill, Julie McConnell, Martin Main, Stephen F. Enloe, Steven A. Johnson, James P. Cuda, Shirley M. Baker, and Michael Andreu

This publication introduces a standardized set of seven terms compiled by the members of the UF|IFAS Invasive Species Council that can describe most situations involving invasive species, limit the confusion caused by jargon and incorrect usage, and deliver a simplified and unified message about the impacts of invasive species and how to best prevent and control them, potentially increasing the environmental and socioeconomic benefits of invasive species Extension and outreach programs.

Ocean Acidification: Effects on Sponges

Lena A. Donnarumma, Joseph Henry, Joshua Patterson, Shelly Krueger, Lisa Krimsky, and Shirley Baker

Approximately 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere has been absorbed by the world’s oceans. As CO2 emissions increase due to human activities so does the amount of CO2 absorbed by the oceans. Carbon dioxide lowers the pH of the ocean system, causing ocean acidification (OA). The effects of OA on economically and ecologically important aquatic species is a subject of interest. Sponges are important reef-associated species that provide shelter for fish and crustaceans in reef habitats and can also structure ecosystems through bioerosion, water filtration, and colonization of coral reef areas. This publication considers the effects of OA on marine sponges, with a focus on Florida’s coral reef.  

Current and Emerging Protocols for Carbon Measurement in Agricultural Soils

Suraj Melkani, Noel Manirakiza, Shirley M. Baker, and Jehangir H. Bhadha

Soils have the capacity to function as a sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide and are crucial for climate regulation. Soil have the potential to store around 1.5 to 2.4 trillion metric tons of C in the soil globally. They contain large C pools that can store three times more C than the atmosphere and four times more than plants. These massive C sinks have the potential to reverse soil degradation, mitigate climate change, and enhance food security. It is therefore essential to monitor the C cycle by accurately measuring the amount of soil C in agricultural fields. This can help in developing sustainable management practices that can minimize C emissions and sequester C into the soil from the atmosphere. This publication describes the various current and emerging protocols that can be used to measure soil C.

The Role of Dissolved Oxygen in Hard Clam Aquaculture

Kerry Weber, Elise Hoover, Leslie Sturmer, and Shirley Baker

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

How Do Oysters Remove Nitrogen?

Heather Donnelly, Ashley Smyth, Shirley Baker, Laura Reynolds, and Angela Collins

Nitrogen is natural and necessary, yet nitrogen levels above natural levels can cause algal blooms and eutrophication of coastal systems. The purpose of this document is to describe how oysters and oyster reefs remove nitrogen. This new 7-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences is intended for policymakers, environmental organizations, and coastal residents who want to know about oysters' role in improving water quality through nitrogen removal. Written by Heather Donnelly, Ashley Smyth, Shirley Baker, Laura Reynolds, and Angela Collins.

Introduction to Infectious Diseases in Hard Clams

Shirley Baker, Denise Petty, Ruth Francis-Floyd, Roy Yanong, and Leslie Sturmer

Familiarizes clam growers with common clam diseases. Includes glossary of terms and resources for further reading..

The Role of Water Temperature in Hard Clam Aquaculture

Kerry Weber, Leslie Sturmer, Elise Hoover, and Shirley Baker

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

A Comparison Between the Northern Hard Clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) and Southern Hard Clam (Mercenaria campechiensis) for Restoration in Florida

Catherine Kaylor, Laura Reynolds, Shirley Baker, Angela Collins, Leslie Sturmer, and Ashley Smyth

Hard clams provide many benefits to Florida’s coastal ecosystems beyond supporting the clam aquaculture industry. One of these benefits is improved water quality through filtration and nutrient cycling. However, both pollution and overharvesting have led to a decline in native clam populations for many areas, resulting in a growing interest among restoration practitioners to rebuild clam populations. There are two clam species native to Florida currently used in restoration: the northern hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, and the southern hard clam, Mercenaria campechiensis. This publication is intended for academics, restoration practitioners, and policy makers interested in shellfish restoration. The goal of this document is to describe the similarities and differences between these two species and to serve as a resource for selecting the best hard clam for a restoration project.