Website

https://floridadep.gov/fco/aquatic-preserve/locations/big-bend-seagrasses-aquatic-preserve

Region(s)

NW

Summary

Seagrass Monitoring

Parameters

Seagrass and macroalgal percent cover by species began in 2022, Braun-Blanquet method used prior to 2022, presence, density of bay scallops and sea urchins, epiphyte density on seagrass blades, bottom sediment type. Temperature (C), Salinity (ppt), Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L), and pH (SU) included since 2016. Depth (m), secchi (m) and canopy height (cm) are additional parameters recorded in the Nature Coast AP seagrass data.

Notes

SEACAR program ID 563 was deleted and is included as part of this one program. This program contains seagrass data for three Aquatic Preserves: Big Bend Seagrasses and St. Martins Marsh AP's - data compiled in BBSAP files; and Nature Coast AP - data compiled in NCAP files. BBSAP data for SAV and WQ do not record the day for for most results - only month and year - and therefore the SEACAR program uses the 1st of the month for all dates when day of sampling is not included.

Application

To collect baseline conditions within Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve, St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve and Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve for post-impact comparisons and to help address management issues of the resource.

Publications

Reports: Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves Annual Seagrass Monitoring Report and FWC SIMM report chapters: Northern Big Bend; Southern Big Bend; Suwannee Sound, Cedar Keys, and Waccasassa Bay; and Springs Coast.

Start

1997

End

Current

Frequency

Annual

Method

As of 2022- Four randomly placed 1-m2 quadrats at each site are assessed using true percent coverage method in nine geographic areas. The full percent cover SOP is attached in the uploaded files. Prior to 2022 a modified Braun-Blanquet cover abundance method was used, SOP also attached. Additional documented observations via Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve monitoring include: epiphyte density, sediment type, sediment depth, presence of urchins and bay scallops and presence of prop scars or “blowouts.” Abiotic water quality parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH) are recorded at each sample site using a YSI 650 MDS datalogger, historically, and post-2020, an EXO1 datalogger. The Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve monitoring include: epiphyte density, canopy height, sediment type, station depth, secchi depth (vertical and horizontal), presence of urchins and bay scallops and presence of prop scars or “blowouts.” Abiotic water quality parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH) are recorded at each sample site using a YSI ProDSS datalogger.

Discontinuity

Cedar Key: 2011; Dekle Beach / Keaton Beach: 2016; St. Marks: 2012 & 2013; Steinhatchee: 2005, 2012 & 2015.

Data Location

Data Format

Excel Files

Habitats

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Water Column

SEACAR Citation

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (RCP); Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserves; University of Florida - Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve. (2023). Big Bend Seagrasses & Nature Coast Aquatic Preserves - Seagrass Monitoring. Updated 03/29/2024. Distributed by: SEACAR Data Discovery Interface, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. https://data.florida-seacar.org/programs/details/560

Alternative Citation

indicates priority attributes