Literature Review of Salinity Effects on Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) found in the Southern Indian River Lagoon and Adjacent Estuaries Prepared by Elizabeth Irlandi, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Oceanography Marine Benthic Ecology Laboratory Department of Marine and Environmental Systems Florida Institute of Technology 150 West University Boulevard Melbourne, FL 32901
[email protected] Submitted to Rebecca Robbins, Project Manager South Florida Water Management District 3301 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 October 13, 2006 Final Report October 13, 2006 2 INTRODUCTION As part of the Monitoring and Assessment Plan (MAP) of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the South Florida Water Management District (District) participates in: establishing pre-CERP baseline data of SAV (submerged aquatic vegetation) in the Southern Indian River Lagoon (SIRL), the St. Lucie Estuary, the Loxahatchee Estuary, and Lake Worth Lagoon; assessing the response of SAV in the referenced estuaries to the restoration of the Everglades system; and conducting research designed to elucidate cause-and-effect relationships between environmental variables influenced by the restoration plan and SAV health. Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in coastal systems provide structure and habitat for a wide variety of fauna, stabilize sediment, contribute to trophic pathways by providing a food source to herbivores and detritivores, and are important in nutrient uptake and cycling. Many species of commercially and recreationally important fin and shell fish species (e.g., blue crabs, shrimp, snook, red drum, etc.) utilize submerged aquatic vegetation as nursery areas due to the protective cover and food resources provided by these critically important habitats. In addition to providing vital nursery areas, some seagrass species are grazed directly by sea turtles, manatees, and waterfowl hence their common names of turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme), and widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima), respectively.