Scientists with the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program(SWIM)":/projects/swim/ recorded an 11 percent increase in seagrass growth in "Tampa Bay(SWIM Priority Water Body: Tampa Bay)":/projects/swim/tampabay.php since 2008, the largest increase in seagrass growth since the District began the seagrass mapping program. The "District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ study also shows gains in St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor.
According to the District's 2010 seagrass mapping study, seagrass acreage in the three water bodies has increased 3,313 acres since 2008. Tampa Bay, St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor now support 50,382 acres of seagrass, more than at any time measured since the 1950s. Tampa Bay saw the largest increase: 3,250 acres. The St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor areas recorded a combined 62-acre increase in seagrass.
"Seagrass(Seagrass Photos)":/newsroom/multimedia/photos/album/13/ is an important marine habitat and a valuable tool for scientists throughout the state of Florida. Seagrass generally grows in waters less than six feet deep, but can be found in waters around Egmont Key at 15 feet deep. Seagrass is an important barometer of a bay's health because it requires relatively clean water to flourish and serves as "the nurseries of the bay," sheltering and supporting a variety of juvenile fish and other marine creatures.
Kris Kaufman, a District environmental scientist, said that both seagrass growth and water quality have shown improvements.
"We've analyzed more than 20 years of data and found significant increasing trends in seagrass cover over time," said Kaufman. She cited several factors that could have contributed to gains in seagrass growth.
"Current digital mapping technologies that provide the highest quality data in coordination with extensive field work can improve the detection of seagrass and biannual changes in seagrass," said Kaufman. "Also, overall lower rainfall since 2006 means less stormwater runoff flowing into the bay, contributing to the clearer water noted over the last few years."
In addition to monitoring seagrass resources, SWIM is also charged with conducting restoration projects funded in part by the District.
"Since the seagrass monitoring program began in the late 1980s, the greater Tampa Bay area has experienced impressive improvements in wastewater and stormwater treatment," said Jennette Seachrist, District SWIM Program manager. "The District is working hard to implement regional stormwater improvement projects that reduce pollution entering Tampa Bay."
As part of the seagrass mapping program, SWIM scientists assess seagrass coverage in five gulf coast estuaries. Every two years maps are produced from aerial photographs and then verified for accuracy by conducting field surveys. The results are used to track trends in seagrass in estuaries throughout southwest Florida and to evaluate ongoing water quality improvement efforts.
The District worked with a local consultant to complete this project and several state and local agencies, including Pinellas County, provide assistance with field surveys.
For more information about the District's SWIM Program, please visit the District's web site at "WaterMatters.org/projects/swim/":/projects/swim/.
To learn more about how you can help preserve Florida's seagrass, which is critical to protecting marine life, water quality and Florida's ocean-based economy, visit "www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/seagrass/":www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/seagrass/.
According to the District's 2010 seagrass mapping study, seagrass acreage in the three water bodies has increased 3,313 acres since 2008. Tampa Bay, St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor now support 50,382 acres of seagrass, more than at any time measured since the 1950s. Tampa Bay saw the largest increase: 3,250 acres. The St. Joseph Sound and Clearwater Harbor areas recorded a combined 62-acre increase in seagrass.
"Seagrass(Seagrass Photos)":/newsroom/multimedia/photos/album/13/ is an important marine habitat and a valuable tool for scientists throughout the state of Florida. Seagrass generally grows in waters less than six feet deep, but can be found in waters around Egmont Key at 15 feet deep. Seagrass is an important barometer of a bay's health because it requires relatively clean water to flourish and serves as "the nurseries of the bay," sheltering and supporting a variety of juvenile fish and other marine creatures.
Kris Kaufman, a District environmental scientist, said that both seagrass growth and water quality have shown improvements.
"We've analyzed more than 20 years of data and found significant increasing trends in seagrass cover over time," said Kaufman. She cited several factors that could have contributed to gains in seagrass growth.
"Current digital mapping technologies that provide the highest quality data in coordination with extensive field work can improve the detection of seagrass and biannual changes in seagrass," said Kaufman. "Also, overall lower rainfall since 2006 means less stormwater runoff flowing into the bay, contributing to the clearer water noted over the last few years."
In addition to monitoring seagrass resources, SWIM is also charged with conducting restoration projects funded in part by the District.
"Since the seagrass monitoring program began in the late 1980s, the greater Tampa Bay area has experienced impressive improvements in wastewater and stormwater treatment," said Jennette Seachrist, District SWIM Program manager. "The District is working hard to implement regional stormwater improvement projects that reduce pollution entering Tampa Bay."
As part of the seagrass mapping program, SWIM scientists assess seagrass coverage in five gulf coast estuaries. Every two years maps are produced from aerial photographs and then verified for accuracy by conducting field surveys. The results are used to track trends in seagrass in estuaries throughout southwest Florida and to evaluate ongoing water quality improvement efforts.
The District worked with a local consultant to complete this project and several state and local agencies, including Pinellas County, provide assistance with field surveys.
For more information about the District's SWIM Program, please visit the District's web site at "WaterMatters.org/projects/swim/":/projects/swim/.
To learn more about how you can help preserve Florida's seagrass, which is critical to protecting marine life, water quality and Florida's ocean-based economy, visit "www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/seagrass/":www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/seagrass/.