Mangrove CNP: A threat to Florida's mangroves? Background: Mangrove trees are essential to our dynamic coastal and estuarine environments. Found throughout tropical and subtropical regions around the world, mangroves are trees which exhibit ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Florida’s oyster population has declined during the past 15 years because of overharvest, hurricanes, changing environmental conditions and more. In particular, Apalachicola Bay has seen a pronounced reduction. “Oyster farming has been ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine
One year ago this week, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region. In addition to contributing to the deaths of 12 people, the Category 4 hurricane generated storm surge as high as 12 feet and winds as strong as 125 mph. ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, Water, Wildlife
Introduction The bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) was once common in the lower portions of the Pensacola Bay system. However, by 1970 they were all but gone. Closely associated with seagrass, especially turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
2025 reopen UPDATE (9-05-2025): Pasco scallop season reopens for 2 weeks, starting September 6th, 2025. FWC has reopened and extended the recreational scallop season in Pasco County. After continuous testing, measured levels for both the ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Food Safety, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
I was recently conducting a survey for diamondback terrapins from my paddleboard in a small estuarine lagoon within the Pensacola Bay System. Even if we do not find our target species during these surveys – I, and our volunteers, see all ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
In Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Captain Nemo describes the sea as “everything,” the “vast reservoir of Nature.” A pair of UF Ph.D. students are diving into these vast depths. They are harnessing the power of marine microbes ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research