Tag: seagrass
Preserving Nature’s Underwater Wonder
December 13, 2023
: Seagrass Ecosystems in Taylor County, Florida Beneath the tranquil waters along the Gulf Coast of Taylor County lies a hidden gem crucial to the marine ecosystem—seagrass. These verdant underwater meadows play a pivotal role in the health ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural ResourcesTags: Conservation, Ecosystems, Seagrass
NCBS Intern Report: Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Coastal Monitoring
November 27, 2023
Written by 2023 Undergraduate Intern Liel Shachr, hosted by the Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve and FL Dept. of Environmental Protection Seagrass Monitoring This summer, I had the privilege of interning at the Big Bend Seagrasses ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research, , WaterTags: Aquatic Preserve, Coastal Habitat, Coastal Systems, Florida Department Of Environmental Protection, NCBS Interns, Seagrass, Water Quality
A Sea of Grass; Part 11 – Reptiles
July 21, 2023
When snorkeling the grassbeds of the Florida panhandle encountering a reptile has a low probability, but it is not zero. Of all the reptiles that call this part of the state home, few enter marine waters and most of those are very mobile, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesTags: Florida Sea Grant, Reptiles, Seagrass
Oh, Poop! Is that what I think it is?!
July 14, 2023
In recent years, Charlotte Harbor (and the Southwest coast of Florida in general) has seen the periodic episodes of floating grey and brown carpet-like blobs. Their appearance, and the fact that they sometimes have a strong smell, gives the ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, WaterTags: Algae, Charlotte Harbor, Florida Sea Grant, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Harmful Algal Blooms, Nuisance, Seagrass, Water, Water Quality
A Sea of Grass; Part 9 Rays
June 2, 2023
As I write this article it is mid spring, and the rays are bedding on the edges of our seagrass beds. The most common species seen is the Atlantic Stingray (Dasyatis sabina). They are often found in the sandy areas near the grass where they ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesTags: Florida Sea Grant, Rays, Seagrasses
Sea of Grass Part 8 Echinoderms
May 26, 2023
Sea urchins are one of the more commonly encountered creatures when snorkeling in our seagrass beds. At times these little pin cushions can be found in great numbers. In some locations there have been too many and community events have been ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesTags: Echinoderms, Florida Sea Grant, Seagrass
A Sea of Grass; Part 7 The Crustaceans
May 18, 2023
In terms of diversity and abundance, the Phylum Arthropoda is the most successful in the Animal Kingdom. Between them all, there are over one million species. They can be found in all habitats, from the deepest part of the ocean to the highest ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesTags: Crustaceans, Florida Sea Grant, Seagrass
A Sea of Grass; Part 6 – The Mollusk
May 11, 2023
In Part 5 of this series, we looked at a group of invertebrates that few people see, and no one is looking for – worms. But in this article, we will be looking at a group that seagrass explorers see frequently and some, like the bay scallop, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesTags: Florida Sea Grant, Mollusk, Seagrass
What You Can Do to Help Enhance Seagrass
May 11, 2023
Most of us in the Florida panhandle realize how important seagrasses are to the ecology of our estuaries. Not only do they provide habitat for commercially important finfish and shellfish, but they also help trap sediments, remove nitrogen ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesTags: Florida Sea Grant, Seagrass