Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Beulig, Alfred

Keywords

Mangroves, Sarasota Bay, Ecology, Mangrove Restoration

Area of Concentration

Marine Biology

Abstract

Florida has lost nearly half its initial 20 million acres of tidal wetland since 1850. Much of these tidal wetlands are occupied by mangroves, a taxonomically unrelated group of trees and shrubs. Mangroves embody both a grouping of plants and an ecological community that protects the shore, harbors economically important fisheries, and provides recreational opportunities. Since the 1940s these mangrove habitats have been subject to extensive ditching and draining, severely compromising their ecological functions. The mangroves of the Sarasota Bay region are moderately fragmented and ditched habitats account for 68.4% of the total mangrove coverage. Restoration projects like that of Robinson Preserve in Manatee County provide an avenue to restore tidal flow and improve water quality.

Download

Share

COinS