Ecology of the seagrasses of south Florida: a community profile

Technical Report · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6725184

Zieman, J C

A detailed description is given of the community structure and ecosystem processes of the seagrass ecosystems of south Florida. This description is based upon a compilation of information from numerous published and unpublished sources. The material covered includes distribution, systematics, physiology, and growth of the plants, as well as succession and community development. The role of seagrass ecosystems in providing both food and shelter for juveniles as well as foraging grounds for larger organisms is treated in detail. Emphasis is given to the functional role of seagrass communities in the overall coastal marine system. The final section considers the impacts of human development on seagrass ecosystems and their value to both man and the natural system. Because seagrass systems are fully submerged and less visually obvious, recognition of their value as a natural resource has been slower than that of the emergent coastal communities. They must, however, be treated as a valuable natural resource and preserved from further degradation.

• Research Organization: Virginia Univ., Charlottesville (USA). Dept. of Environmental Sciences
• OSTI ID: 6725184
• Report Number(s): FWS/OBS-82/25; ON: DE83900362
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
COASTAL WATERS
COMMUNITIES
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLORIDA
FOOD CHAINS
GRASS
MAMMALS
MAN
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
PRIMATES
PRODUCTIVITY
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VERTEBRATES