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Between late 2019 and early 2020, Tampa Bay saw an estimated decline of 5,411 acres of seagrass, according to the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Scientists say pollution from runoff and wastewater leaks adds nutrients to the bay, fueling algae growth that hurts seagrass beds.
Seagrasses provide shelter and food to a diverse community of animals, from small invertebrates to large fish, crabs, turtles, marine mammals and birds.
Provisional results released earlier this month by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) show that Tampa Bay now harbors 35,240 acres of seagrass. That s a vast improvement from the 1990 s when a plan was established to boost recovery of this vital part of the ecosystem.
Tampa Bay lost 13 percent of its seagrass in two years, study shows
Experts say reducing pollution that fuels algal blooms is critical.
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Manatee grass as seen last week off Bishop Harbor south of Port Manatee. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Tampa Bay Times ]
Published Earlier today
Tampa Bay lost about 13 percent of its seagrass in recent years, a survey shows, leaving the ecosystem short of a goal for building upon decades of environmental progress.
Between 2018 and 2020, the bay saw an estimated decline of 5,411 acres of seagrass, according to reviews from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
âThatâs . less area for manatees to feed on, for fish to hide out and crabs to hide out in their early life stages,â said Maya Burke, assistant director of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, which announced the news this week. âThatâs not just noise.â