Website

https://floridadep.gov/rcp/LVKey-AP https://floridadep.gov/rcp/aquatic-preserve/locations/coupon-bight-aquatic-preserve

Region(s)

SE

Summary

This project aims to determine the baseline abundance, density, and frequency of seagrass species within the Florida Keys Aquatic Preserves. Benthic monitoring occurs semiannually and consists of 16 sites within Lignumvitae Key Aquatic preserve including benthic habitat surveys and seagrass tissue sampling.

Parameters

Benthic Monitoring: Braun-Blanquet score (cover-abundance scale), percent cover (%), shoot count (#), canopy height no current (cm), epiphyte coverage (light, moderate, heavy) Site parameters: depth (ft) current (none, light, moderate, strong), visibility (ft), substrate type Tissue Sampling: SAV morphometrics (cm), SAV isotope analyses (%N, %C, %P, d13C, d15N, d34S, C:N, C:P, N:P), SAV biomass (g), epiphyte biomass (g),

Notes

Historic data taken from 2021-2023 in Lignumvitae Key Aquatic Preserve uses different methodology and is available by request.

Application

Benthic monitoring data is consulted when implementing management decisions throughout the aquatic preserves.

Publications

Start

2024

End

Current

Frequency

Semiannual

Method

10 0.5m by 0.5m quads are placed along a fixed 50m transect and are monitored using Braun-Blanquet methodology. Meter marks are randomized per season. Seagrass shoot counts consist of counting every shoot within the quadrat.

Discontinuity

Data Location

By Request

Data Format

Habitats

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

SEACAR Citation

Alternative Citation

indicates priority attributes