Aquatic Ecosystems

Oyster-Predator Dynamics and Climate Change

Gabrielle Love, Shirley Baker, and Edward V. Camp

Ecosystem Services Valuation for Estuarine and Coastal Restoration in Florida

Susanna Blair, Carrie Adams, Tom Ankersen, Maia McGuire, and David Kaplan

Linking Waterbody Acidification and Aquatic Plant Metabolism: A Lesson Plan for Middle School Students

Alexandra L. Bijak, Laura K. Reynolds, and Ashley R. Smyth

Ocean acidification, the lowering of seawater pH due to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is an emerging environmental challenge associated with climate change. This publication is intended for Florida grade eight educators and other environmental educators of middle school students. We designed a lesson plan to reinforce fundamental concepts in acid-base chemistry, including the pH scale, and to introduce students to waterbody acidification, its negative effects on shell-forming organisms, and the potential role of aquatic plant metabolism (i.e., photosynthesis and respiration) in mitigating these effects. The goal of the lesson plan is to encourage students to link water chemistry and biological processes while learning about the challenges and potential solutions to acidification within a local context. This lesson plan will contribute to state learning standards while generating appreciation for the complexity of the natural environment. 

What are urban mangroves?

Gabriela Reyes, Ashley Smyth, and Laura Reynolds

Urban mangroves are mangroves located in cities and residential areas. While urban mangroves may be highly impacted by humans, they continue to provide important ecosystem services, or benefits to society. In fact, due to their location, more people may benefit from these urban mangroves than from pristine mangroves, which are often located in protected areas. The following document describes the role of mangroves in urban areas. This document is intended for coastal residents, coastal resource managers, and urban planners who are interested in learning about mangroves and their importance in cities. Written by Gabriela Reyes, Ashley Smyth, and Laura Reynolds, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences; 4 pp.

Ecological Influences on Coastal Finfish Recruitment

Gabrielle Love, Anna Braswell, Angela B. Collins, and Edward Camp

Florida is experiencing many human and climate-related changes to the aquatic environment that can affect fish. Lost or altered habitat, for instance, can lead to changes in fish populations that may impact survival, growth, or recruitment of those populations. Recruitment influences how many adult fish are later available for spawning and continuing the population. Understanding recruitment and how it is affected by ecological influences is important for considering the potential effects of ongoing climate change, as well as restoration and management of water quality and habitat. This publication provides background information useful to anyone interested in understanding more about factors affecting fish populations and should be especially useful to Extension agents and management agency personnel who would like an overview of these topics before engaging with stakeholders.

How Oyster Reefs Can Affect Finfish Recruitment

Gabrielle Love, Anna Braswell, Angela B. Collins, and Edward Camp

Recruitment is a very important life stage for fish which has direct impacts on size of the whole fish population. During this phase, the mortality juvenile fish experience is affected by their density because of competition for the available resources. How much fish density affects mortality in recruitment is itself affected by many factors, but one of the most important is the structural habitat available to juvenile fish. Structurally complex habitats like oyster reefs are thought to have a particularly strong influence on the recruitment process of certain species. Here we describe the ways that habitat can alter recruitment success. We focus on how oyster reefs affect recruitment of fish in Florida and the particular issues related to management of this important habitat.

Responsible Boating Protects Seagrass Meadows

Savanna Barry, Ana Zangroniz, and Joy Hazell

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for General Public audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Ecotourism and Agritourism

How to Chemigate Salinity-Stressed Plants with Hydrogen Peroxide to Increase Survival and Growth Rates

Guodong Liu, Yuncong Li, Kimberly Moore, Kim Gabel, Lei Wu, and Rafael Muñoz-Carpena

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Plant Systems

Oyster Habitat Restoration and Shoreline Protection

Charles Wallace, Edward Camp, and Ashley Smyth

As the climate continues to change, coastal areas and the people that live there face increasing risks from erosion and wave damage. This is made worse by declines in natural oyster reefs, which would provide some natural protection. However, oysters can be restored for the specific purposes of protecting shorelines. The practicality and cost effectiveness of using oysters in this way is described in this publication, which is intended to be used by coastal property owners, as well as local governments that must make decisions about protecting shorelines in the face of a changing climate.

What is oyster shell recycling?

Ana Zangroniz, Marian Azeem-Angel, Katie Heiden, Heather Donnelly, and Ashley R. Smyth

This new 7-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences is intended to serve Natural Resources or Florida Sea Grant Extension agents, as well as local partners considering establishing a local oyster shell recycling program or local restaurants interested in learning more about oyster shell recycling, and shares lessons learned from starting a program in Miami-Dade County. Written by Ana Zangroniz, Marian Azeem-Angel, Katie Heiden, Heather Donnelly, and Ashley R. Smyth.