The ecology of the seagrass meadows of the west coast of Florida: A community profile
Technical Report
·
OSTI ID:5302019
- Virginia Univ., Charlottesville, VA (USA). Dept. of Environmental Sciences
This report summarizes information on the ecology of seagrass meadows on the west coast of Florida, from south of Tampa Bay to Pensacola. This area contains more than 3500 ha of seagrass beds, dominated by three species, Thalasia testudinum (turtle grass), Syringodium filiforme (manatee grass), and Halodule wrightii (shoal grass). Beds occur both on the shallow, zero-energy Continental Shelf and in inshore bays and estuaries. Species ecology, distribution, biomass, and productivity of these dominant seagrass species are discussed. Seagrass beds support a very diverse and abundant algal flora and fauna, and these organisms, and seagrass detritus form the base of a productive food chain. Seagrass beds are important nursery areas providing both cover and food, for a number of commercial and sports fishery species. Along the west Florida coast, estuarine grass beds are noticeably more stressed and impacted by human activities than the more pristine nearshore beds. Urban development and dredging and filling are the major threates to seagrass beds in this region. 500 refs., 28 figs., 14 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC (USA); Virginia Univ., Charlottesville, VA (USA). Dept. of Environmental Sciences
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOI
- OSTI ID:
- 5302019
- Report Number(s):
- BR-85(7.25); ON: TI90003492
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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