Program Info
- Website
- https://floridaaquaticpreserves.org/managed-areas/aquatic-preserves/lignumvitae-key-aquatic-preserve https://floridaaquaticpreserves.org/managed-areas/floridas-coral-reef/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 14 sites within Lignumvitae Key Aquatic Preserve and 4 sites in Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve. This including benthic habitat surveys and seagrass tissue sampling.
- Parameters
- All SAV: Braun-Blanquet score (cover-abundance scale), percent cover (%), Seagrasses: shoot count (#), canopy height (cm), epiphyte coverage (light, moderate, heavy) Site parameters: depth (ft) current (none, light, moderate, strong), visibility (ft), substrate type Thalassia testudinum Tissue Sampling: morphometrics (cm), biomass (g), seagrass isotope analyses (%N, %C, %P, d13C, d15N, d34S, C:N, C:P, N:P), epiphyte biomass (g), epiphyte isotope analyses (%N, %C, %P, d13C, d15N, d34S, C:N, C:P, N:P)
- Notes
- A 2021-2023 dataset in Lignumvitae Key Aquatic Preserve with Braun-Blanquet/Percent Cover data taken based on basil cover ("lawnmower" method) 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
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (RCP); Florida Keys Aquatic Preserves. (2025). Florida Keys Aquatic Preserves Seagrass Monitoring. Updated 11/24/2025. Distributed by: SEACAR Data Discovery Interface, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. https://data.florida-seacar.org/programs/details/10007
- Alternative Citation
indicates priority attributes
Contacts
Program Extent
Export Standardized Data
| Habitat(s) : Indicator(s) | Last Updated | File Download |
|---|---|---|
| Submerged Aquatic Vegetation : Percent Cover | 12/16/25 06:22 PM | Download File - SAV - 10007.zip |
| DIP Document | N/A | Download File - DIP |
Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection Managed Areas
Florida Keys NMS, Lignumvitae Key AP
Indicators
| Indicator |
|---|
| Submerged Aquatic Vegetation - Percent Cover |
| Submerged Aquatic Vegetation - Additional Indicators |
Documentation and Data provided by program
| File Type | File Name | Added On | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data | LKAP_Master_Data_2024-2025.xlsx | 09/23/25 09:36 AM | |
| GIS | Benthic Site Coordinates LKAP.xlsx | 09/24/24 02:52 PM | |
| Logo | dep-logo-color-jpeg.jpg | 09/19/24 01:34 PM | |
| Protocols | SOP_BenthicTissueCollection_V2.docx | 09/24/24 02:52 PM | |
| Protocols | SOP_LKAPBenthicMonitoring_V2.docx | 09/24/24 02:52 PM | |
| Protocols | SOP_Seagrass-Epiphyte Collection&Drying_V2.docx | 09/24/24 02:52 PM |