Florida's Estuary
Tampa Bay is the largest open water estuary in Florida, covering an area of approximately 400 square miles. An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with saltwater from the ocean. The bay is composed of three major habitats: Mangrove Forest, Oyster Reefs and Seagrass Beds that serve as a critical source of food and shelter for thousands of species including manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, birds and fish.
Mangrove Forests
Mangrove forests are a vital component of the Tampa Bay ecosystem and serve as an important habitat and nursery for a variety of important species of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Mangroves improve water quality by filtering out pollution and excess nutrients in the water and are among the most effective ecosystems in the world for carbon sequestration, or carbon storage, which helps lessen the impacts of climate change.
Tampa Bay is home to all three species of mangrove - white, black and red (shown here)
Oyster Reefs
Oyster reefs provide critical habitat for a variety of species, including fish, crabs, and birds. They also improve water quality by filtering out pollutants and excess nutrients, which in turn supports healthy seagrass beds and other marine life.
A single adult oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day - Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Birds of Paradise
There are over 300 species of birds that have been documented in the Tampa Bay area. The combination of wetlands, forests, open water, and coastal habitats in Tampa Bay attracts a wide variety of birds, including 170 migratory species that use the area to feed and rest.
A reddish egret hunts for prey in Tampa Bay - Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program
How it's interconnected
The Tampa Bay watershed encompasses over 2,200 square miles and is fed by numerous rivers, creeks and canals including the Hillsborough River, the Alafia River, and the Little Manatee River. A watershed includes all the land and water that drain into a common point. Like the arteries in your body, the water interacts with the landscape, picking up and carrying sediments, nutrients, and pollutants along these waterways, which then get deposited in Tampa Bay, and eventually make their way into the Gulf of Mexico.
Nutrient pollution is the most significant source of pollution in Tampa Bay. Nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen get into our waterways through sources such as fertilizer use on farms and lawns, wastewater treatment plants, and stormwater runoff from urban areas.
Chemicals and heavy metals from industrial pollution and phosphate mining are also another major source of pollution. These chemicals and heavy metals end up in Tampa Bay's waterways through industrial discharges, stormwater runoff, or accidental spills and can contain metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which are toxic to aquatic life and can accumulate in the food chain.
Seagrass Beds
Seagrasses are a critical component of the Tampa Bay ecosystem. They are an important habitat and food for a wide range of aquatic species, including fish, crabs, and manatees. Seagrasses also stabilize sediments and filter pollutants, which maintains water clarity and quality in Tampa Bay.
The seagrass meadows in Tampa Bay are among the most extensive in Florida, covering approximately 27,000 acres of the estuary. The most common seagrass species found in Tampa Bay are shoal grass (Halodule wrightii), turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), and manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme).
Turtle Grass (Thalassia testudinum) is so named because it is a favorite food of green sea turtles - Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Despite being regarded as a world renowned case study in environmental restoration, Tampa Bay's seagrasses have declined significantly over the last several years. After progress peaked in 2016, Tampa Bay has since lost over 12% of its seagrasses.
Seagrass decline in Tampa Bay is connected to polluted rainfall runoff and poor water quality from the Hillsborough River
Fisherman Captain David Denkert discusses the importance of seagrass.
A seagrass bed in decline - Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times
Red Tide
Tampa Bay is home to some of the world's most highly rated beaches, many of which are popular tourist destinations.
Red tide events are increasingly wrecking havoc on these pristine beaches, and the businesses and people that live along them.
St.Pete Beach was ranked the No. 1 best beach in the United States and 5th best beach globally by Trip Advisor - Photo courtesy of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
Red tide is a harmful algal bloom caused by a type of algae called Karenia brevis, which produces a toxin that can be harmful to fish, birds, marine mammals, and humans. Though it can occur naturally, Red tide is exacerbated by nutrient pollution from agriculture, stormwater runoff, and sewage discharge.
Red tide has significant impacts on the Tampa Bay ecosystem. Its toxin causes fish and other marine organisms to suffocate, leading to massive die-offs. In much the same way as if someone sucked all the oxygen out of a room, these die offs continue to deplete oxygen levels in the water as bacteria use the remaining oxygen to break down dead organisms leaving any remaining larger organisms to suffocate.
Bait Shop Owner Calvin Foronda discusses the impacts of Red tide on his business
A red tide event on St. Pete Beach, Red tide gets its name from the reddish-brown color of the water that is often observed during a harmful algal bloom - Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Times
The toxin caused by red tide can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, sneezing, and other symptoms in people who come into contact with it. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure and death.
Everyday Individual Noah Keirn discusses the health effects of red tide
A massive die - off event caused by red tide on a Tampa Bay beach - Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times
Helping Tampa Bay
Efforts to save Tampa Bay involve a combination of approaches, including improving water quality, restoring habitat, controlling pollution, and protecting and enhancing natural resources. The Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) is a major initiative aimed at restoring the ecological health of the bay through a combination of restoration projects, pollution reduction efforts, and community outreach and education. The program has implemented measures to reduce nutrient pollution, control invasive species, restore wetlands and seagrass beds, and protect critical habitats. A coordinated effort between government agencies, private organizations, and the public is necessary to ensure the continued health and sustainability of Tampa Bay.
Credits:
Created with images by Norm - "Mangroves on Tampa bay in Florida" • Anita - "A drone view of a speed boat in Tampa Bay."