Current Research
Current Programs
Florida Partners
Meetings
In the News
Publications & Media
Additional Resources
Menthylmercury In the Gulf of Mexico: State of Knowledge and Research Needs
Summarizes the potential health problems among Gulf seafood consumers and lays out a research, outreach, and education agenda. View PDF
SGEB 054
Submarine Groundwater Discharge
Explores an important but poorly known topic: submarine groundwater discharge. Although nearly invisible, submarine groundwater discharge is an influence on coastal systems that can no longer be ignored. View PDF Available on Edis
SGEB 055
Nutrients and Florida's Coastal Waters
Explains how nutrients function in coastal aquatic systems and how human activities affect these natural cycles. Although a full explanation of nutrient dynamics is beyond the scope of this booklet, homeowners, resource managers and landscape professionals will find its colorful drawings and semi-technical language useful to understanding these important phenomena. View PDF Available on Edis
Reefs
Artificial Habitats in Fisheries Restoration
In a keynote presentation to a session of the 2004 World Fisheries Congress, W. Seaman and M. Miller explore the question "Restoration to what?" for marine fisheries habitat. Case studies for artificial habitats are given. View PDF
Artificial Reef Evaluation: With Application to Natural Marine Habitats
By William Seaman, Associate Director, Florida Sea Grant. Covers the design of reef studies, multi-disciplinary methods of investigation, data analysis, and examples of applying the methods to reefs built for different purposes. The methods examined apply to other benthic marine habitats, such as coral reefs or "live bottoms", thus expanding the book's relevance to a wider audience and enhancing research efforts in the field of artificial habitat technology. Order online
Habitat-mediated Predator-prey Interactions: Implications for Sustainable Production of Gag Grouper in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Gag grouper is one of the most valuable fisheries in the Southeast United State, and subject to intense management scrutiny. This publication is a summary of Florida Sea Grant research that tests the role of habitat in mediating predator-prey interaction and individual fish growth dynamics in gag. View PDF
SG 01
Atlas of Artificial Reefs in Florida - 5th Edition
This guide is currently out of print. Loan copies are available without charge through the National Sea Grant Library. For current reef information please visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Designed to provide the public with a guide to locations and characteristics of more than 200 permitted artificial reefs constructed for fishing and diving purposes in Florida's coastal waters. Locations are given by longitude-latitude coordinates, Loran C coordinates, and distance from the nearest land projectory. The depth of the reef and type of material used are also provided. View PDF
SGEB 58
Artificial Reef Monitoring in Florida Coastal Counties
Describes the extent and nature of artificial reef monitoring in Florida counties (2003), how data are managed and aspects of communication. A principal readership will be the network of county-level organizations and individuals whose largely independent efforts, taken as a composite, make up much of the Florida reef "program." View PDF
SGEF 144
Artificial Reefs: The Florida Sea Grant Connection
Artificial reefs can enhance recreational fishing opportunities, creating scuba diving sites, and mitigating damage to ocean habitat. The projects described here are part of Florida Sea Grant's decades of involvement in the research and promotion of this technology. View PDF
Invasive Species
Green Mussel Alert Card
A wallet-size card for boaters, anglers, commercial fishermen, and industrial water users to help identify green mussels, and who to contact to minimize their spread. View PDF
SGEB 060
A Primer on Invasive Species In Coastal and Marine Waters
What are invasive species? How long have invasive species been around? These questions and more answered in this 24 page publication. View PDF
SGEF 073
Zebra Mussels - A Florida Perspective
Describes zebra mussels, why they are considered an aquatic nuisance and what boaters can do to reduce the infestation of these notorious biofoulers. Out of print. View PDF
SGEF 075
Zebra Mussel Alert Card
A wallet-size card for boaters, anglers, commercial fishermen, and industrial water users to help identify zebra mussels, and who to contact to minimize their spread. View PDF
SGEF 155
Can we stop "Killer Algae" from invading Florida?
Several species of Caulerpa grow in Florida, and the state has ideal conditions for an introduction of the now infamous invasive alga, Caulerpa taxifolia, which decimated habitats in the Mediterranean. Florida’s coastal residents can help prevent an invasion of this killer algae by following a few simple measures outlined in this full-color, 2-page fact sheet. View PDF
SGEF 156
Are Native and Nonindigenous Seaweeds Overgrowing Florida's East Coast Reefs?
Scientists are concerned that extensive blooms of the non-native, green alga Caulerpa brachypus will spread on Florida's reefs unless the amount of nutrients entering the sea can be reduced. This 2-page, color fact sheet describes macroalgal blooms that have been found on Florida's east coast reefs and ways coastal residents can work to lower the nutrient loads that fuel them. View PDF
TP 102
Invasive Species and Ballast Water Management in the Gulf of Mexico Region: 1999 New Orleans, LA Workshop Proceedings
Non-indigenous aquatic species are commonly dispersed through ballast water exchange, and the rate of new invasions is increasing. This workshop was held to discuss current and future approaches to ballast water exchange management. Regulations, alternatives, and recommendations are discussed. View PDF
Don't Release Non-Native Species -- Water Gardeners
Rack card that explains the perils of disposing of water garden plants and animals into area waterways. View PDF
Don't Release Non-Native Species -- Aquarium Hobbyists
Rack card that explains the perils of disposing of aquarium plants and animals into area waterways. View PDF
Estuaries
SGEB 023
Florida's Estuaries: A Citizen's Guide to Coastal Living and Conservation
What exactly is an estuary? Why are estuaries important to the Sunshine State? And what can Florida residents do to help protect estuaries? From Pensacola Bay to Biscayne Bay, from the mouth of the St. John's River to the Ten Thousand Islands, readers of this booklet will be able to better understand, appreciate, and protect their local estuary. Out of print. View PDF
SGEF 124
Destructive Urchin Grazing in a Seagrass Bed in Western Florida Bay: When should resource managers intervene?
In the case of the sea urchin population boom and seagrass overgrazing described here, resource managers decided to monitor this natural event and not to intervene. There were several reasons for this decision. First, marine invertebrates, such as sea urchins, are notorious for having extremely variable settlement. In fact, sporadic "good" years may be very important to the overall distribution and abundance of a species. Moreover, the maximum life span of the variegated urchin is probably about five years; thus, the localized boom would have limited duration. Finally the act of destroying such a huge number of urchins would have had its own detrimental impacts. All in all, this is an example when no action was the best action. View PDF
SGEF 152
Florida Bay Watch Report: Mangroves in Florida Bay: Dying-Back (Again)?
Evidence indicates that mangrove die-back in Florida Bay can be tied to natural cycles, with a probable secondary influence by water management. View PDF
SGR 124
Florida Coastal Environmental Resources: A Guide to Economic Valuation and Impact Analysis (2003)
Presents principles, methods, applications, and case studies of coastal resource economic valuation and impact analysis, stressing the importance of environmental economics in coastal and marine management and the need for professionals in this community to better understand basic concepts such as trade-offs, willingness-to-pay, cost- benefit analysis, and environmental valuation. No charge. View PDF
TP 120
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Visitor Study
Presents results of an onsite, recreational-use survey given to visitors of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR) in southwest Florida. The survey was designed with three objectives: (1) to identify and describe the types of visitors to RBNERR based on socio-demographic information, activity preference, and experience, (2) to determine visitors' conflicts and perceived impacts to the resource and recreation experience, and (3) to determine acceptable strategies to manage for impacts. Results and suggestions included in this report will provide managers with a useful tool when designing management procedures. View PDF
SG 03
Common Coastal Plants in Florida: A Guide to Planting and Maintenance
A practical guide to identifying, obtaining, planting, and maintaining the plants most frequently found along the fringes and sandy shores of Florida. Complete descriptions and pictures of Florida's beach, dune, and wetland communities and a guide to selection and cultivation of plant species appropriate for each type will help gardeners assess the needs of their coastal properties. View PDF
SG 06
Seasons of the Sea
By Jay Humphreys. Seasons of the Sea delves into what creatures come and go in each of the state's six main regions through the seasons -- the northeast, southeast, the Keys, southwest, the Big Bend, and the Panhandle. With illustrations by Jim Wilson. Order online
SGEF 094
Pelicans (English)
Provides a brief history of the brown pelican's ("Pelecanus occidentalis") protected species status, and tips on how individuals can prevent injury to the birds. Particularly useful to coastal hook and line fisherman, and explains what to do when a pelican is accidentally hooked. View PDF
SGEF 107
Pelicans (Spanish)
Available in either English (SGEF094) or in Spanish (SGEF 107). Provides a brief history of the brown pelican's ("Pelecanus occidentalis") protected species status, and tips on how individuals can prevent injury to the birds. The leaflet is particularly useful to coastal hook and line fisherman, and explains what to do when a pelican is accidentally hooked. To order
SGEF 131
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
This fact sheet informs beach users how to protect sea turtle nestlings, describes something of their natural history and state and federal protective legislation. View PDF
SGEF 141
Turtle Tracks - Sea Turtle Conservation in Miami-Dade County
Provides a natural history of endangered sea turtle species found in Florida, with guidelines on what to do if you come upon sea turtles on the beach. View PDF To order SGEF 142
Don't Splash Your Trash.Get a Grip on it!
Marine animals can swallow or become entangled in debris, which often leads to death by suffocation. This leaflet explains the problem of littering on or near waterways, and advises readers how to better protect sea creatures from this hazard. View PDF
SGEF 143
Don't Splash Your Trash.Get a Grip on it! - Spanish
Marine animals can swallow or become entangled in debris, which often leads to death by suffocation. This leaflet explains the problem of littering on or near waterways, and advises readers how to better protect sea creatures from this hazard. To order
SGEF 150
Commercial Suppliers of Sea Oats in Florida (2003)
Provides a directory of nurseries in Florida that have stocks of sea oats available for coastal restoration as well as residential landscaping projects. View PDF
SGEF 160
Turtle Friendly Beach Program
The goal of the Turtle Friendly Beach Program is to help provide suitable marine turtle nesting habitat in developed areas. View PDF
TP 085
The State of Florida's Estuaries and Future Needs in Estuarine Research-Part 1:
A Synopsis of Florida's Estuarine Resources with Recommendations for their Conservation and Management (1996)
Intended for a readership that includes scientists, resource managers, policy makers and the public to summarize the natural and socioeconomic conditions associated with a representative sample of Florida's estuaries and resources, and to glean from this information generalities that allow one to organize the information and to think about Florida's estuaries collectively. Report should not be considered conclusive; it is a point of departure from which a dialogue can emerge. View PDF To order
TP 086
The State of Florida's Estuaries and Future Needs in Estuarine Research: Part 2: An Academic Research Agenda
A concept paper designed to focus research on two broad 'organizing themes': (1) the hydrology of Florida's estuaries, and (2) the impact of cyclic environmental variability on estuarine function. It should permit Florida's marine scientists to react as individuals to the ideas presented, and to formulate independent ideas about research on the state's estuaries. View PDF To order
TP 098
The Economics of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): An Annotated Bibliography
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) including red tides, occur when the population of a particular marine algal species rapidly increases. With this "bloom", toxins produced by these algae likewise increase and can result in shellfish contamination, fish kills, and respiratory irritation for humans located near the shoreline. The biological losses are compounded by the economic costs borne by the affected local residents, tourists, government, and businesses. This bibliography briefly outlines literature which addresses HAB economic impacts. Studies which provide an in-depth economic survey of HAB's are few and are included here. View PDF
Clean Marina
SG 005
Clean Marina Flag
Available to designated Clean Marinas only. $53.00. To order
SG 008
Clean Boat Yard Flag
Available to designated Clean Boatyards only. $25.00. To order
South Florida
SGEF 125
Florida Bay's Murky Past
Seasonal, annual, and even decadal changes are a natural characteristic of Florida Bay. However, recent increases in water turbidity and seagrass mortality have alerted the managerial and scientific communities that radical change is taking place. Restoration plans can not be made without first addressing the question: to what conditions will the Bay be restored, to the "gin clear" waters of the 1960s and 1970s or to perhaps the more natural conditions of greater turbidity that existed earlier? This document summarizes recent research efforts such as geochemical dating of sediments and the relationships among drainage, salinity, seagrass proliferation, and turbidity. View PDF
SGEF 126
Rust and Rotten Eggs: Iron and Sulfer in Florida Bay
Florida Bay is leaking natural gases, but not the kind commonly used for cooking and heating our homes. Instead, the gases are sulfur compounds, mostly hydrogen sulfides, which are emitted from bottom sediments in Florida Bay as well as from rotting wrack found along the shoreline. The chemistry and biology of the Bay combine to make sulfide a normal and in some areas, common occurrence in this shallow-water ecosystem, the workings of which are briefly described. View PDF
SGEF 127
The Plume and the Bloom
Dense diatom blooms, first observed in western Florida Bay in the fall of 1991, were initially thought to be linked to the vast die-off of seagrass that began in 1987. However there is evidence that diatom blooms are more closely linked to freshwater flow, which is a major source of silicate to coastal waters. This report explains the relationships among Shark River Slough, western Florida Bay, silicate levels, and diatom blooms. View PDF
SGEF 128
South Florida's "Current" Concerns Require A Global View
Recent oceanographic research indicates that far-reaching linkages occur between south Florida coastal waters and distant, 'upstream' regions of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. These findings may have a substantial impact on management of south Florida's coastal waters. This brief report describes flow patterns of the Florida Bay region and its subsystems. View PDF
SGEF 129
Acquiring a Taste for Florida Bay
This report describes Florida Bay in the context of other estuaries and how it differs substantially from some better known ones. While all estuaries exhibit similar characteristics of hydrology, geomorphology, and hydrodynamics, scientists are discovering the extent and importance of differences such as depth, rainfall and runoff, mixing, and light. View PDF
SGEF 106
Florida Bay Connections
The Florida Bay estuary lies between the mainland and the Florida Keys. It is under stress from development and population growth, resulting in extremely high salinity, large blooms of algae, and expanses of dead sea grass. This 9" X 16" 4-fold brochure describes the ecosystem, restoration goals and problems, and includes color photographs. View PDF
Summarizes the potential health problems among Gulf seafood consumers and lays out a research, outreach, and education agenda. View PDF
SGEB 054
Submarine Groundwater Discharge
Explores an important but poorly known topic: submarine groundwater discharge. Although nearly invisible, submarine groundwater discharge is an influence on coastal systems that can no longer be ignored. View PDF Available on Edis
SGEB 055
Nutrients and Florida's Coastal Waters
Explains how nutrients function in coastal aquatic systems and how human activities affect these natural cycles. Although a full explanation of nutrient dynamics is beyond the scope of this booklet, homeowners, resource managers and landscape professionals will find its colorful drawings and semi-technical language useful to understanding these important phenomena. View PDF Available on Edis
 Reefs
| Invasive Species
|
Estuaries
|
Clean Marina
| South Florida
|
Reefs
Artificial Habitats in Fisheries Restoration
In a keynote presentation to a session of the 2004 World Fisheries Congress, W. Seaman and M. Miller explore the question "Restoration to what?" for marine fisheries habitat. Case studies for artificial habitats are given. View PDF
Artificial Reef Evaluation: With Application to Natural Marine Habitats
By William Seaman, Associate Director, Florida Sea Grant. Covers the design of reef studies, multi-disciplinary methods of investigation, data analysis, and examples of applying the methods to reefs built for different purposes. The methods examined apply to other benthic marine habitats, such as coral reefs or "live bottoms", thus expanding the book's relevance to a wider audience and enhancing research efforts in the field of artificial habitat technology. Order online
Habitat-mediated Predator-prey Interactions: Implications for Sustainable Production of Gag Grouper in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Gag grouper is one of the most valuable fisheries in the Southeast United State, and subject to intense management scrutiny. This publication is a summary of Florida Sea Grant research that tests the role of habitat in mediating predator-prey interaction and individual fish growth dynamics in gag. View PDF
SG 01
Atlas of Artificial Reefs in Florida - 5th Edition
This guide is currently out of print. Loan copies are available without charge through the National Sea Grant Library. For current reef information please visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Designed to provide the public with a guide to locations and characteristics of more than 200 permitted artificial reefs constructed for fishing and diving purposes in Florida's coastal waters. Locations are given by longitude-latitude coordinates, Loran C coordinates, and distance from the nearest land projectory. The depth of the reef and type of material used are also provided. View PDF
SGEB 58
Artificial Reef Monitoring in Florida Coastal Counties
Describes the extent and nature of artificial reef monitoring in Florida counties (2003), how data are managed and aspects of communication. A principal readership will be the network of county-level organizations and individuals whose largely independent efforts, taken as a composite, make up much of the Florida reef "program." View PDF
SGEF 144
Artificial Reefs: The Florida Sea Grant Connection
Artificial reefs can enhance recreational fishing opportunities, creating scuba diving sites, and mitigating damage to ocean habitat. The projects described here are part of Florida Sea Grant's decades of involvement in the research and promotion of this technology. View PDF
Invasive Species
Green Mussel Alert Card
A wallet-size card for boaters, anglers, commercial fishermen, and industrial water users to help identify green mussels, and who to contact to minimize their spread. View PDF
SGEB 060
A Primer on Invasive Species In Coastal and Marine Waters
What are invasive species? How long have invasive species been around? These questions and more answered in this 24 page publication. View PDF
SGEF 073
Zebra Mussels - A Florida Perspective
Describes zebra mussels, why they are considered an aquatic nuisance and what boaters can do to reduce the infestation of these notorious biofoulers. Out of print. View PDF
SGEF 075
Zebra Mussel Alert Card
A wallet-size card for boaters, anglers, commercial fishermen, and industrial water users to help identify zebra mussels, and who to contact to minimize their spread. View PDF
SGEF 155
Can we stop "Killer Algae" from invading Florida?
Several species of Caulerpa grow in Florida, and the state has ideal conditions for an introduction of the now infamous invasive alga, Caulerpa taxifolia, which decimated habitats in the Mediterranean. Florida’s coastal residents can help prevent an invasion of this killer algae by following a few simple measures outlined in this full-color, 2-page fact sheet. View PDF
SGEF 156
Are Native and Nonindigenous Seaweeds Overgrowing Florida's East Coast Reefs?
Scientists are concerned that extensive blooms of the non-native, green alga Caulerpa brachypus will spread on Florida's reefs unless the amount of nutrients entering the sea can be reduced. This 2-page, color fact sheet describes macroalgal blooms that have been found on Florida's east coast reefs and ways coastal residents can work to lower the nutrient loads that fuel them. View PDF
TP 102
Invasive Species and Ballast Water Management in the Gulf of Mexico Region: 1999 New Orleans, LA Workshop Proceedings
Non-indigenous aquatic species are commonly dispersed through ballast water exchange, and the rate of new invasions is increasing. This workshop was held to discuss current and future approaches to ballast water exchange management. Regulations, alternatives, and recommendations are discussed. View PDF
Don't Release Non-Native Species -- Water Gardeners
Rack card that explains the perils of disposing of water garden plants and animals into area waterways. View PDF
Don't Release Non-Native Species -- Aquarium Hobbyists
Rack card that explains the perils of disposing of aquarium plants and animals into area waterways. View PDF
Estuaries
SGEB 023
Florida's Estuaries: A Citizen's Guide to Coastal Living and Conservation
What exactly is an estuary? Why are estuaries important to the Sunshine State? And what can Florida residents do to help protect estuaries? From Pensacola Bay to Biscayne Bay, from the mouth of the St. John's River to the Ten Thousand Islands, readers of this booklet will be able to better understand, appreciate, and protect their local estuary. Out of print. View PDF
SGEF 124
Destructive Urchin Grazing in a Seagrass Bed in Western Florida Bay: When should resource managers intervene?
In the case of the sea urchin population boom and seagrass overgrazing described here, resource managers decided to monitor this natural event and not to intervene. There were several reasons for this decision. First, marine invertebrates, such as sea urchins, are notorious for having extremely variable settlement. In fact, sporadic "good" years may be very important to the overall distribution and abundance of a species. Moreover, the maximum life span of the variegated urchin is probably about five years; thus, the localized boom would have limited duration. Finally the act of destroying such a huge number of urchins would have had its own detrimental impacts. All in all, this is an example when no action was the best action. View PDF
SGEF 152
Florida Bay Watch Report: Mangroves in Florida Bay: Dying-Back (Again)?
Evidence indicates that mangrove die-back in Florida Bay can be tied to natural cycles, with a probable secondary influence by water management. View PDF
SGR 124
Florida Coastal Environmental Resources: A Guide to Economic Valuation and Impact Analysis (2003)
Presents principles, methods, applications, and case studies of coastal resource economic valuation and impact analysis, stressing the importance of environmental economics in coastal and marine management and the need for professionals in this community to better understand basic concepts such as trade-offs, willingness-to-pay, cost- benefit analysis, and environmental valuation. No charge. View PDF
TP 120
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Visitor Study
Presents results of an onsite, recreational-use survey given to visitors of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR) in southwest Florida. The survey was designed with three objectives: (1) to identify and describe the types of visitors to RBNERR based on socio-demographic information, activity preference, and experience, (2) to determine visitors' conflicts and perceived impacts to the resource and recreation experience, and (3) to determine acceptable strategies to manage for impacts. Results and suggestions included in this report will provide managers with a useful tool when designing management procedures. View PDF
SG 03
Common Coastal Plants in Florida: A Guide to Planting and Maintenance
A practical guide to identifying, obtaining, planting, and maintaining the plants most frequently found along the fringes and sandy shores of Florida. Complete descriptions and pictures of Florida's beach, dune, and wetland communities and a guide to selection and cultivation of plant species appropriate for each type will help gardeners assess the needs of their coastal properties. View PDF
SG 06
Seasons of the Sea
By Jay Humphreys. Seasons of the Sea delves into what creatures come and go in each of the state's six main regions through the seasons -- the northeast, southeast, the Keys, southwest, the Big Bend, and the Panhandle. With illustrations by Jim Wilson. Order online
SGEF 094
Pelicans (English)
Provides a brief history of the brown pelican's ("Pelecanus occidentalis") protected species status, and tips on how individuals can prevent injury to the birds. Particularly useful to coastal hook and line fisherman, and explains what to do when a pelican is accidentally hooked. View PDF
SGEF 107
Pelicans (Spanish)
Available in either English (SGEF094) or in Spanish (SGEF 107). Provides a brief history of the brown pelican's ("Pelecanus occidentalis") protected species status, and tips on how individuals can prevent injury to the birds. The leaflet is particularly useful to coastal hook and line fisherman, and explains what to do when a pelican is accidentally hooked. To order
SGEF 131
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
This fact sheet informs beach users how to protect sea turtle nestlings, describes something of their natural history and state and federal protective legislation. View PDF
SGEF 141
Turtle Tracks - Sea Turtle Conservation in Miami-Dade County
Provides a natural history of endangered sea turtle species found in Florida, with guidelines on what to do if you come upon sea turtles on the beach. View PDF To order SGEF 142
Don't Splash Your Trash.Get a Grip on it!
Marine animals can swallow or become entangled in debris, which often leads to death by suffocation. This leaflet explains the problem of littering on or near waterways, and advises readers how to better protect sea creatures from this hazard. View PDF
SGEF 143
Don't Splash Your Trash.Get a Grip on it! - Spanish
Marine animals can swallow or become entangled in debris, which often leads to death by suffocation. This leaflet explains the problem of littering on or near waterways, and advises readers how to better protect sea creatures from this hazard. To order
SGEF 150
Commercial Suppliers of Sea Oats in Florida (2003)
Provides a directory of nurseries in Florida that have stocks of sea oats available for coastal restoration as well as residential landscaping projects. View PDF
SGEF 160
Turtle Friendly Beach Program
The goal of the Turtle Friendly Beach Program is to help provide suitable marine turtle nesting habitat in developed areas. View PDF
TP 085
The State of Florida's Estuaries and Future Needs in Estuarine Research-Part 1:
A Synopsis of Florida's Estuarine Resources with Recommendations for their Conservation and Management (1996)
Intended for a readership that includes scientists, resource managers, policy makers and the public to summarize the natural and socioeconomic conditions associated with a representative sample of Florida's estuaries and resources, and to glean from this information generalities that allow one to organize the information and to think about Florida's estuaries collectively. Report should not be considered conclusive; it is a point of departure from which a dialogue can emerge. View PDF To order
TP 086
The State of Florida's Estuaries and Future Needs in Estuarine Research: Part 2: An Academic Research Agenda
A concept paper designed to focus research on two broad 'organizing themes': (1) the hydrology of Florida's estuaries, and (2) the impact of cyclic environmental variability on estuarine function. It should permit Florida's marine scientists to react as individuals to the ideas presented, and to formulate independent ideas about research on the state's estuaries. View PDF To order
TP 098
The Economics of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): An Annotated Bibliography
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) including red tides, occur when the population of a particular marine algal species rapidly increases. With this "bloom", toxins produced by these algae likewise increase and can result in shellfish contamination, fish kills, and respiratory irritation for humans located near the shoreline. The biological losses are compounded by the economic costs borne by the affected local residents, tourists, government, and businesses. This bibliography briefly outlines literature which addresses HAB economic impacts. Studies which provide an in-depth economic survey of HAB's are few and are included here. View PDF
Clean Marina
SG 005
Clean Marina Flag
Available to designated Clean Marinas only. $53.00. To order
SG 008
Clean Boat Yard Flag
Available to designated Clean Boatyards only. $25.00. To order
South Florida
SGEF 125
Florida Bay's Murky Past
Seasonal, annual, and even decadal changes are a natural characteristic of Florida Bay. However, recent increases in water turbidity and seagrass mortality have alerted the managerial and scientific communities that radical change is taking place. Restoration plans can not be made without first addressing the question: to what conditions will the Bay be restored, to the "gin clear" waters of the 1960s and 1970s or to perhaps the more natural conditions of greater turbidity that existed earlier? This document summarizes recent research efforts such as geochemical dating of sediments and the relationships among drainage, salinity, seagrass proliferation, and turbidity. View PDF
SGEF 126
Rust and Rotten Eggs: Iron and Sulfer in Florida Bay
Florida Bay is leaking natural gases, but not the kind commonly used for cooking and heating our homes. Instead, the gases are sulfur compounds, mostly hydrogen sulfides, which are emitted from bottom sediments in Florida Bay as well as from rotting wrack found along the shoreline. The chemistry and biology of the Bay combine to make sulfide a normal and in some areas, common occurrence in this shallow-water ecosystem, the workings of which are briefly described. View PDF
SGEF 127
The Plume and the Bloom
Dense diatom blooms, first observed in western Florida Bay in the fall of 1991, were initially thought to be linked to the vast die-off of seagrass that began in 1987. However there is evidence that diatom blooms are more closely linked to freshwater flow, which is a major source of silicate to coastal waters. This report explains the relationships among Shark River Slough, western Florida Bay, silicate levels, and diatom blooms. View PDF
SGEF 128
South Florida's "Current" Concerns Require A Global View
Recent oceanographic research indicates that far-reaching linkages occur between south Florida coastal waters and distant, 'upstream' regions of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. These findings may have a substantial impact on management of south Florida's coastal waters. This brief report describes flow patterns of the Florida Bay region and its subsystems. View PDF
SGEF 129
Acquiring a Taste for Florida Bay
This report describes Florida Bay in the context of other estuaries and how it differs substantially from some better known ones. While all estuaries exhibit similar characteristics of hydrology, geomorphology, and hydrodynamics, scientists are discovering the extent and importance of differences such as depth, rainfall and runoff, mixing, and light. View PDF
SGEF 106
Florida Bay Connections
The Florida Bay estuary lies between the mainland and the Florida Keys. It is under stress from development and population growth, resulting in extremely high salinity, large blooms of algae, and expanses of dead sea grass. This 9" X 16" 4-fold brochure describes the ecosystem, restoration goals and problems, and includes color photographs. View PDF
Biotechnology ||
Fisheries ||
Aquaculture ||
Seafood Safety ||
Waterfront Communities
Ecosystem Health || Coastal Hazards || Graduate Education || Marine Education
Ecosystem Health || Coastal Hazards || Graduate Education || Marine Education