Written by Megan Houser, 2024 undergraduate summer intern hosted by Tim Jones and Trisha Green of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve
Bona Fide BBSAP
This summer, I had the honor and joy of working alongside the Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve (BBSAP) team as a Nature Coast Biological Station intern. And now that the summer is gone, it is safe to say that the description I first read when applying for this internship didn’t even begin to cover the range of experiences I had. Some days were spent calibrating sensitive continuous dataloggers and deploying them, while others consisted of learning how to trailer boats and surveying seagrass and macroalgae beds around Florida’s west coast.
Seagrasses, Sharks, and Scallops Oh My!
Every year, the BBSAP team conducts seagrass surveys throughout Florida’s Big Bend region. These surveys contribute to an extensive dataset with information on the species of seagrass and macroalgae present, as well as percent cover. Surveys like these are invaluable for managers and stakeholders who wish to ensure the health and presence of vital seagrass habitats in the Gulf of Mexico. This, coupled with accurate and detailed water quality data collected with YSI datasondes provide a holistic view of parameters that affect seagrass health. Without these seagrass habitats, there would be a total lack of feeding grounds for the Gulf’s beloved manatees, sea turtles, sharks, and dolphins; not to mention, nursery habitat for anglers’ prized fish. I can’t speak for the health of the seagrasses, but if the sheer number of sea turtles we witnessed this summer means anything, then there are copious amounts of grass that will continue to thrive under BBSAP’s monitoring.
In additional to seagrass surveys, the BBSAP team offered significant help for planning and carrying out my senior capstone project. I aimed to study the change in bay scallop abundance and growth directly before the start of scalloping season, and a few weeks after. Perhaps not surprisingly, we found a decrease in abundance and an increase in size since the ones who were still out there had evaded the avid recreational scallopers. This capstone allowed me to practice what I learned through my time at UF, as well as hands on experience planning for fieldwork and analyzing data.
Bon Voyage BBSAP
The collaborative environment shown to me through the preserves we partnered with for invasive species removal and marine debris cleanup, as well as numerous scientific and managerial meetings between state agencies, prove that we are heading towards a more effective future for environmental science and management. My experiences with Trisha Green, Sandra Chupinsky, Kate Suchanec, Maddie Singer, and Tim Jones were eye opening and unforgettable. I’m so grateful to the University of Florida and the Nature Coast Biological Station for this internship opportunity.
| Follow the link to learn more about the UF/IFAS NCBS Undergraduate Summer Internship program. Read more intern blogs here. |
Featured image credit: UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones
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