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Wetlands
Wetlands are generally
defined as a natural community where water is at or covering the surface of the ground for
all or part of the year. Coastal Wetlands typically include mangroves (pictured
above), saltwater marshes, and seagrasses.
For most of Florida's
history, wetlands were viewed as worthless swamps to be filled for more productive uses,
such as agriculture and home sites. Today, wetlands are recognized and protected for
their value as habitat for birds and other wildlife, and for their role in protecting
waterbodies from pollution.
Wetlands help to filter
damaging nutrients and other pollutants from stormwater runoff. They stabilize
shorelines against erosion from fluctuating tides, storm surges and flooding.
Saltwater Marshes are
marked by a preponderance of various grass-like plants such as cordgrass (Spartina
alterniflora and others) and rushes (Juncus romerianus).
Seagrass
Beds in Southwest Florida are generally composed of broad-bladed turtle grass (Thalassia),
and finer leafed manatee grass (Halodule wrightii) and shoal grass. Like
all green plants, seagrasses are dependent upon sunlight for photosynthesis.
Once extensive
throughout the bays, dredging, filling, prop scarring from boats and decreased water
quality from urban runoff, have greatly reduced the abundance of seagrasses.
Healthy seagrass
communities are among the most productive natural habitat. The seagrass blades
provide food for grazing herbivores such as manatees and sea turtles;
provide a nursery for the juvenile stages of commercially and recreationally important
species of fish; and provide a substrate to support the growth of a myriad of
microorganisms.
MANGROVES
Mangroves thrive in salty environments
because they are able to obtain fresh water from saltwater. Some secrete excess salt
through their leaves, others block absorption of salt at their roots.
Mangroves trap and cycle various organic materials, chemical elements, and important
nutrients.
Mangrove roots act not only as physical traps but provide attachment surfaces for
various marine organisms. Many of these attached organisms filter water through their
bodies and, in turn, trap and cycle nutrients.
Mangroves provide protected nursery areas for fishes, crustaceans, and shellfish. They
also provide food for a multitude of marine species such as snook, snapper, tarpon, jack,
sheepshead, red drum, oyster, and shrimp.
Many animals find shelter either in the roots or branches of mangroves. Mangrove
branches are rookeries, or nesting areas, for beautiful coastal birds such as brown
pelicans and roseate spoonbills.
Three species of mangroves are found in Florida, the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle),
is probably the most well-known. It typically grows along the water's edge. The red
mangrove is easily identified by its tangled, reddish roots called Aprop roots@.
The black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), usually occupies slightly higher
elevations upland from the red mangrove. The black mangrove can be identified by numerous
finger-like projections, called pneumatophores, that protrude from the soil around the
tree's trunk.
The white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) usually occupies the highest
elevations farther upland than either the red or black mangroves. Unlike its red or black
counterparts, the white mangrove has no visible aerial root systems. The easiest way to
identify the white mangrove is by the leaves. They are elliptical, light yellow green and
have two distinguishing glands at the base of the leaf blade where the stem starts.
Mangrove forests protect uplands from storm winds, waves, and floods. The amount of
protection afforded by mangroves depends upon the width of the forest. A very narrow
fringe of mangroves offers limited protection, while a wide fringe can considerably reduce
wave and flood damage to landward areas by enabling overflowing water to be absorbed into
the expanse of forest. Mangroves can help prevent erosion by stabilizing shorelines with
their specialized root systems. Mangroves also filter water and maintain water quality and
clarity.
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