Marine Ecosystems
Interaction of living organisms with the physical or chemical environment in a body of saltwater.
Narrower Topics
Related Topics: 4-H Environmental Science, Aquatic Organisms, Marine Ecosystems
Related Topics: Invasive Species, Marine Ecosystems
Related Topics: Education, Marine Ecosystems
Related Topics: Marine Ecosystems, Wildlife
Recreational Waters
Recreational waters are considered to be any natural fresh, marine or estuarine bodies of water that are used for recreation.
Reefs
A shallow elevation composed of consolidated material that may constitute a hazard to surface navigation. (AGROVOC)
Publications
Climate Change: Effects on Salinity in Florida’s Estuaries and Responses of Oysters, Seagrass, and Other Animal and Plant Life
SG138/SGEF-218 by Ashley R. Smyth, H. Dail Laughinghouse, Laura K. Reynolds, Edward V. Camp, and Karl HavensApril 15, 2024Florida’s economically important estuaries could be heavily impacted by sea-level rise and altered river flow, both caused by climate change. The resulting higher salinity, or saltiness of the water, could harm plants and animals, alter fish, and bird habitat, and reduce the capacity of estuaries to provide such important services as seafood production and the protection of shorelines from erosion. This publication contains information for stakeholders, students, scientists, and environmental agencies interested in understanding how changes in salinity impact Florida’s estuaries.
Ocean Acidification: Effects on Sponges
FA263/FA263by Lena A. Donnarumma, Joseph Henry, Joshua Patterson, Shelly Krueger, Lisa Krimsky, and Shirley BakerJune 13, 2024Approximately 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere has been absorbed by the world’s oceans. As CO2 emissions increase due to human activities so does the amount of CO2 absorbed by the oceans. Carbon dioxide lowers the pH of the ocean system, causing ocean acidification (OA). The effects of OA on economically and ecologically important aquatic species is a subject of interest. Sponges are important reef-associated species that provide shelter for fish and crustaceans in reef habitats and can also structure ecosystems through bioerosion, water filtration, and colonization of coral reef areas. This publication considers the effects of OA on marine sponges, with a focus on Florida’s coral reef.
Related IFAS Blog Posts
Inaugural season of FHCW wraps up successfully
Ana ZangronizNovember 10th, 2022Earlier in 2022, the Florida Sea Grant Extension Program in Miami-Dade County launched Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch (FHCW), a program designed to capture data about local horseshoe crab populations. Prior to the expansion of this citizen science project, little data existed about the status of horseshoe crab populations in Florida. Horseshoe crabs have substantial ecological […]
Coral Bleaching
Ana ZangronizSeptember 28th, 2022Basic coral biology Corals are incredible animals that build reefs in the ocean. While they might look like rocks, they are living organisms that require certain conditions in which to live: clean, clear water, warm water, the right amount of nutrients and the and the right amount of wave action. Changes to any or a […]
World Reef Awareness Day
Ana ZangronizJune 1st, 2022As with many environmentally themed holidays, I consider them as taking place every day, and World Reef Awareness Day is no different. Coral biology 101 Coral reefs are made up of a multitude of organisms, but the shining star of the group are the stony corals. Corals are some of the oldest and longest-living animals […]
