Submerged Aquatic Vegetation - Florida Fish and Wildlife ...

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Submerged Aquatic Vegetation is defined as any combination of seagrasses, oligohaline grasses, attached ... According to the best available GIS information.
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Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Status Current condition: Poor and declining. According to the best available GIS information at this time (see Appendix D. GIS Data Tables), 2,419,458 acres (979,120 ha) of seagrass beds (a subtype of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation habitat) exist.

Some habitat distributions or locations may be misrepresented on this map due to size, resolution and insufficient data sources.

Habitat Description FNAI type: Algal Bed, Seagrass Bed, Composite Substrate Submerged Aquatic Vegetation is defined as any combination of seagrasses, oligohaline grasses, attached macroalgae and drift algae that covers 10 to 100 percent of a substrate. In this chapter only seagrasses will be addressed. Seagrasses are marine flowering plants adapted to grow and reproduce in the underwater environment. Florida estuaries and nearshore coastal waters contain the nation’s largest seagrass resources (more than two-million acres), as well as its two most extensive, contiguous seagrass beds (i.e., Florida Bay and the Big Bend region). Factors that affect the establishment and growth of seagrass include light availability, water temperature, salinity, sediment composition, nutrient levels, wave energy, and tidal range. Seagrass most often occurs in areas of low to moderate current velocities where the water is clear; thereby allowing sunlight to penetrate to the leaf blades. Seagrass communities are highly productive, faunally rich, and ecologically important systems. Hundreds to thousands of species of flora and fauna may inhabit seagrass habitats utilizing food, substrate, and shelter provided by the plants. Seagrasses also stabilize sediments and help maintain water clarity.

Chapter. Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

333

Associated Species of Greatest Conservation Need Mammals

• •

Tursiops truncatus Trichechus manatus latirostris

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Florida Manatee

Birds

• • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • •

Anas acuta Aythya affinis Gavia immer Podiceps auritus coronutus Pelecanus occidentalis Ardea herodias occidentalis Egretta tricolor Egretta rufescens Ajaja ajaja Mycteria americana Haliaeetus leucocephalus Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus Sterna nilotica Sterna caspia Sterna maxima Sterna sandvicensis Sterna dougallii Sterna antillarum Sterna fuscata Rynchops niger

Northern Pintail Lesser Scaup Common Loon Horned Grebe Brown Pelican Great White Heron Tricolored Heron Reddish Egret Roseate Spoonbill Wood Stork Bald Eagle Whimbrel Gull-billed Tern Caspian Tern Royal Tern Sandwich Tern Roseate Tern Least Tern Sooty Tern Black Skimmer

Reptiles

• • • • • • •

Crocodylus acutus Malaclemys terrapin Chelonia mydas Eretmochelys imbricata Caretta caretta Lepidochelys kempii Nerodia clarkii compressicauda

American Crocodile Diamondback Terrapin Green Turtle Hawksbill Loggerhead Kemp's Ridley Mangrove Salt Marsh Snake

Fish

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Ginglymostoma cirratum Carcharhinus acronotus Carcharhinus leucas Carcharhinus limbatus Negaprion brevirostris Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Sphyrna tiburo Pristis pectinata Aetobatus narinari Megalops atlanticus Albula vulpes Anguilla rostrata Gymnothorax moringa

Nurse Shark Blacknose Shark Bull Shark Blacktip Shark Lemon Shark Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Bonnethead Smalltooth Sawfish Spotted Eagle Ray Tarpon Bonefish American Eel Spotted Moray

Chapter. Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

334 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Gymnothorax vicinus Myrichthys breviceps Opsanus beta Opsanus tau Ogcocephalus nasutus Mugil cephalus Mugil curema Mugil gyrans Hemiramphus balao Hemiramphus brasiliensis Hyporhamphus meeki Hyporhamphus unifasciatus Anarchopterus criniger Bryx dunckeri Cosmocampus albirostris Cosmocampus brachycephalus Cosmocampus elucens Halicampus crinitus Hippocampus erectus Hippocampus reidi Hippocampus zosterae Syngnathus floridae Syngnathus fuscus Syngnathus louisianae Syngnathus scovelli Syngnathus springeri Aulostomus maculatus Fistularia tabacaria Centropomus undecimalis Centropristis striata Epinephelus morio Hypoplectrus aberrans Hypoplectrus gemme Hypoplectrus guttavarius Hypoplectrus indigo Hypoplectrus nigricans Hypoplectrus puella Hypoplectrus unicolor Mycteroperca bonaci Mycteroperca microlepis Serranus baldwini Serranus tigrinus Opistognathus whitehursti Astrapogon alutus Astrapogon puncticulatus Astrapogon stellatus Phaeoptyx conklini Phaeoptyx pigmentaria Phaeoptyx xenus Caranx latus Lutjanus analis Lutjanus apodus Lutjanus griseus

Purplemouth Moray Sharptail Eel Gulf Toadfish Oyster Toadfish Shortnose Batfish Striped Mullet White Mullet Whirligig Mullet Balao Ballyhoo False Silverstripe Halfbeak Atlantic Silverstripe Halfbeak Fringed Pipefish Pugnose Pipefish Whitenose Pipefish Crested Pipefish Shortfin Pipefish Banded Pipefish Lined Seahorse Longsnout Seahorse Dwarf Seahorse Dusky Pipefish Northern Pipefish Chain Pipefish Gulf Pipefish Bull Pipefish Atlantic Trumpetfish Bluespotted Cornetfish Common Snook Black Sea Bass Red Grouper Yellowbelly Hamlet Blue Hamlet Shy Hamlet Indigo Hamlet Black Hamlet Barred Hamlet Butter Hamlet Black Grouper Gag Lantern Bass Harlequin Bass Dusky Jawfish Bronze Cardinalfish Blackfin Cardinalfish Conchfish Freckled Cardinalfish Dusky Cardinalfish Sponge Cardinalfish Horse-eye Jack Mutton Snapper Schoolmaster Gray Snapper

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335 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Lutjanus synagris Ocyurus chrysurus Haemulon album Haemulon aurolineatum Haemulon flavolineatum Haemulon plumierii Haemulon sciurus Orthopristis chrysoptera Archosargus probatocep Cynoscion nebulosus Cynoscion regalis Pareques acuminatus Sciaenops ocellatus Chaetodon capistratus Pomacanthus arcuatus Stegastes leucostictus Doratonotus megalepis Halichoeres poeyi Lachnolaimus maximus Xyrichtys martinicensis Xyrichtys novacula Xyrichtys splendens Cryptotomus roseus Sparisoma chrysopterum Sparisoma radians Sparisoma rubripinne Labrisomus bucciferus Labrisomus guppyi Labrisomus haitiensis Labrisomus nuchipinnis Malacoctenus aurolineatus Malacoctenus macropus Paraclinus nigripinnis Stathmonotus hemphilli Acyrtops beryllinus Gobiesox strumosus Eleotris amblyopsis Coryphopterus glaucofraenum Ctenogobius saepepallens Ctenogobius stigmaturus Gobiosoma grosvenori Acanthurus bahianus Acanthurus coeruleus Etropus crossotus Paralichthys albigutta Paralichthys dentatus Balistes vetula Aluterus schoepfii Acanthostracion quadricornis Lactophrys trigonus Lactophrys triqueter Canthigaster rostrata

Lane Snapper Yellowtail Snapper Margate Tomtate French Grunt White Grunt Bluestriped Grunt Pigfish Sheepshead Spotted Seatrout Weakfish High-hat Red Drum Foureye Butterflyfish Gray Angelfish Beaugregory Dwarf Wrasse Blackear Wrasse Hogfish Rosy Razorfish Pearly Razorfish Green Razorfish Bluelip Parrotfish Redtail Parrotfish Bucktooth Parrotfish Yellowtail Parrotfish Puffcheek Blenny Mimic Blenny Longfin Blenny Hairy Blenny Goldline Blenny Rosy Blenny Blackfin Blenny Blackbelly Blenny Emerald Clingfish Skilletfish Largescaled Spinycheek Sleeper Bridled Goby Dash Goby Spottail Goby Rockcut Goby Ocean Surgeon Blue Tang Fringed Flounder Gulf Flounder Summer Flounder Queen Triggerfish Orange Filefish Crawled Cowfish Trunkfish Smooth Trunkfish Sharpnose Puffer

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336 • •

Chilomycterus schoepfii Diodon holocanthus

Striped Burrfish Balloonfish

Invertebrates

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Spongia barbara Spheciospongia vesparia Argopecten irradians Mercenaria campechiensis Mercenaria mercenaria Octopus vulgaris Aplysia dactylomela Calliostoma adelae Astralium phoebium Fasciolaria lilium Pleuroploca gigantea Busycon sinistrum Cassis tuberosa Charonia tritonis variegata Strombus gigas Elysia crispata Oreaster reticulatis Meoma ventricosa Clypeaster rosaceus Clypeaster subdepressus Diadema antillarum Lytechinus variegatus Tripneustes ventricosus Holothuria floridana Ophiophragmus filograneus Astrophyton muricatum Hermodice carunculata Limulus polyphemus Lysmata wurdemanni. Stenorynchus seticornis Panulirus argus Farfantepenaeus duorarum Callinectes sapidus Upogebia islagrande Menippe nodifrons Neogonodactylus oerstedii Lysiosquilla scabricauda

Yellow Sponge Loggerhead Sponge Bay Scallop Hard Clam Hard Clam Octopus Spotted Seahare Keys Topsnail Longspine Starsnail Banded Tulip Horse Conch Lightning Whelk Helmet Shell Atlantic Trumpet Triton Queen Conch Lettuce Slug Cushion Star, Bahama Star West Indian Sea Biscuit West Indian Sea Biscuit Sea Biscuit Long-spined Urchin Variegated Urchin Sea Egg Urchin Florida Sea Cucumber Brittle Star Basket Star Fire (Bristle) Worm Horseshoe Crab Peppermint Shrimp Yellowline Arrow Crab Spiny Lobster Pink Shrimp Blue Crab Ghost Shrimp Cuban Stone Crab Mantis Shrimp Thumbsplitter Mantis Shrimp

Conservation Threats The most serious threat to Florida’s seagrass habitats is reduced water quality from anthropogenic nutrient loading and sometimes sediments. Non-point source pollution (e.g., stormwater run-off) is the most significant source. Other important human related threats are: •

Boat groundings and propeller scarring



Boat wakes

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337 •

Coastal construction (including dock construction and seagrass shading from docks) Dredging and filling activities





Hydrological modifications to estuarine systems that disrupt natural salinity patterns

Natural sources of seagrass loss (e.g., pathogens and large storms) are much smaller threats than human activities. Threats to Submerged Aquatic Vegetation habitat that were also identified for multiple other habitats are addressed in the Chapter Multiple Habitat Threats and Conservation Actions. These threats include: • • • • • •

Boating impacts Channel modification/shipping lanes Chemicals and toxins Climate variability Coastal development Dam operations/incompatible release of water (quality, quantity, timing) Disruption of longshore transport of sediments Fishing gear impacts Harmful algal blooms Incompatible fishing pressure Incompatible industrial operations

• • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • •

Incompatible recreational activities Industrial spills Invasive animals Invasive plants Key predator/herbivore loss Management of nature (beach nourishment and impoundments) Nutrient loads (urban) Roads, bridges and causeways Shoreline hardening Surface water and groundwater withdrawal Vessel impacts

The following stresses and sources of stress threaten this habitat: Habitat Stress Rank

Stresses A B C D E F G H I J K L

Altered water quality - physical, chemistry Habitat destruction Altered species composition Sedimentation Altered water quality - contaminants Altered water quality - nutrients Altered structure Erosion Altered hydrologic regime Altered primary productivity Habitat fragmentation Habitat disturbance

Very High Very High Very High Very High High High High High High High Medium Low

The sources of stress, or threats, were used to generate conservation actions.

Sources of Stress 1

Habitat Source Rank Very High

Coastal development

Chapter. Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Related Stresses (see above)

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K

338

Sources of Stress

Habitat Source Rank

Related Stresses (see above)

Very High

3

Harmful algal blooms Inadequate stormwater management

4

Channel modification/shipping lanes

Very High

5

Nutrient loads (all sources)

High

6

Incompatible industrial operations

High

Dam operations/incompatible release of water (quality, quantity, timing) Climate variability Surface water withdrawal Invasive plants Groundwater withdrawal Roads, bridges and causeways

High

18

Shoreline hardening Invasive animals Incompatible fishing pressure Destruction of longshore transport of sediments Management of nature (beach nourishment, impoundments) Boating impacts

19

Chemicals and toxins

Medium

A, B, C, J

20

Incompatible recreational activities

Medium

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H

21

Key predator/herbivore losses

Medium

B, C, J

22

Incompatible aquarium trade

Medium

C

23

Utility corridors

Medium

B, G, K

24

Fishing gear impacts

Medium

B, C, G

25

Industrial spills

Medium

A, B, C, E, J

26

Incompatible aquaculture operations

Medium

A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K

27

Vessel impacts

Medium

B, E, G

28

Parasites/pathogens

Medium

C

29

Placement of artificial structure

Medium

B, C, D, G, J

2

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Chapter. Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Very High

A, B, C, F, J A, B, C, D, E, F, H, J A, B, D, G, H, I, J, K A, B, C, D, F, G, J, K A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K A, B, C, D, E, F, H, I, J

High

B, C, G, H, I, J

High

A, B, C, I, J

High

B, C, F, G, J

High

High

A, B, C, I, J A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K A, B, C, E, F, H, J

High

B, C

High

C, E, G

High

A, C, D, F, H, J

Medium

A, B, C, D, H, I, J, K A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K

High

Medium

339

Sources of Stress 30

Thermal pollution

31

Solid Waste

Statewide Threat Rank of Habitat

Related Stresses

Habitat Source Rank

(see above)

Medium

B, K

Low

B, G, J

Very High

Conservation Actions Actions to abate the threats to Submerged Aquatic Vegetation that were also identified as statewide threats, are in the Chapter Multiple Habitat Threats and Conservation Actions. Outcomes identified for this habitat address increasing the understanding of recreational boaters to reduce the likelihood of impacts to sensitive habitats, especially damage to seagrass from propellers. Assessment of the effects of pathogens on seagrasses is also necessary to increase our understanding of the scope and severity of this threat. Highest ranked actions identified for abating this source of stress focus on: • • •

Improving environmental and boating safety around Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Reducing land-based nutrient input to coastal habitats Improving education on ecological importance and the impacts of damage to Submerged Aquatic Vegetation habitats

Additional actions included: •

Developing and implementing access plans and Submerged Aquatic Vegetation management and restoration plans

The following actions, organized by action type were identified to abate this threat: Incompatible Recreation including Boating Overall Rank VH H H M M

Land/Water/Species Management Promote understanding of environmental and boating regulations. Improve understanding of and use of boating techniques that reduce the likelihood of propeller scars. Assist in a multi-agency process in the identification and designation of no-motor zones in ecologically sensitive areas. Improve understanding of and compliance with existing regulations in sensitive fish and wildlife resource areas. Assist in the multi-agency development of management plans for those areas. Investigate and analyze the potential of watercraft restricted areas based on environmental sensitivity and safety.

Chapter. Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Feasibility

Benefits

Cost

VH

H

VH

VH

M

VH

VH

M

H

H

M

H

M

M

M

340

M

Develop and implement management/remediation activities based on synthesis of existing information on effects of use of and potential remediation of marine and estuarine habitats (see research).

M

M

M

L

Place mooring buoys at intensively used natural areas.

H

L

M

Feasibility

Benefits

Cost

Overall Rank

Policy

L

Encourage multi-agency cooperation/collaboration to review and revise seagrass protection measures.

H

L

L

L

Promote knowledge of basic boat operation and navigation as a component of boat registration.

L

L

H

L

Raise awareness and understanding of impacts from propeller scarring.

L

M

M

Parasites/Pathogens Overall Rank H

Research Synthesize and consolidate understanding, and identification of gaps in understanding, of marine flora/fauna diseases, pathogens, biotoxins, including slime mold on seagrasses and oyster disease.

Chapter. Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Feasibility

Benefits

Cost

VH

M

L