Seagrass Projects
To successfully protect Florida's seagrasses, FWRI staff members
work on many different types of aquatic vegetation-related
projects. Some of FWRI's current biological research, monitoring,
and mapping projects are described in this section.
Scientists are developing methods to relate satellite imagery to water quality in Florida’s Big Bend region to protect seagrass habitats.
Scientists are evaluating the health of seagrass beds in the Springs Coast region.
Researchers are working to develop a cost-effective, reliable procedure to accelerate recovery of seagrass habitats.
Until recently, seagrass restoration was accomplished by
labor-intensive, hand-planting methods. Mechanical installation may
speed the seagrass planting process and, potentially, allow habitat
restoration at a lower cost.
An assessment of extent and severity of boat propeller scars in
seagrass habitats in Charlotte Harbor. Data compiled by the FWRI in
a 1995 report found that Charlotte Harbor has been one of the most
severely scarred areas of Florida.
The Florida Bay Fisheries Assessment Program is a project designed to assess the distribution and status of Florida Bay fisheries habitats in which seagrasses and microalgae are present.
An assessment of turtle grass populations helped develop the methods and framework for a statewide seagrass management program that is still ongoing.
This article discusses a project designed to determine the if there
are links between sediment nutrients and Florida Bay phytoplankton
blooms.
The Seagrass Light Monitoring Network for Florida Bay is participating in a long-term effort to measure sunlight available to seagrass at sites throughout Florida Bay.
Seagrass restoration will be both economically and environmentally
beneficial to Tampa Bay. In addition to improving water quality,
healthy seagrass beds benefit important fishery species such as
snook, seatrout, and shrimp.
Learn about seagrass recovery.
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