Mangroves are overtaking oysters in Mosquito Lagoon with the help of the planet s warming temperatures.
Within a coastal refuge of tiny islands and sea water saltier than the ocean is a climate battle among natural Florida’s titans.
It’s happening in Central Florida’s remote and alluring Mosquito Lagoon, which nearly abuts Kennedy Space Center launch pads at the Atlantic Ocean.
Reigning guardians of the lagoon are oysters. They assemble in fortresses of low mounds, or reefs that appear above water at low tide. Their closely clustered shells suggest an invincible bristle of daggers and shields.
Invaders of Mosquito Lagoon are mangroves. Leafy and leggy, they are the only tree species fond of saltwater. Mangroves expand their turf by launching hordes of floating invaders that are sort of like elongated seeds and are called propagules.
Climate Surprise: Warming Planet Helps Florida Mangroves Conquer Oysters
wlrn.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wlrn.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Milestone 500th rescue for North Sea search and rescue helicopter crew
pressandjournal.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from pressandjournal.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Climate Surprise: Warming Planet Helps Florida Mangroves Conquer Oysters
usf.edu - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from usf.edu Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Within the Mosquito Lagoon refuge of tiny islands and sea water saltier than the ocean is a battle of natural Florida’s titans. The lagoon’s reigning guardians are oysters. The invaders are mangroves. Scientists think mangroves may be winning, thanks to a new ally in the rising level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, trapping more of the sun’s heat and rapidly warming the planet. Mangroves are aggressive but can’t tolerate freezing weather and they haven’t had to lately. Cold snaps have all but vanished in the past couple of decades in the Mosquito Lagoon.