Evaluating the effect of offshore sandbars on seagrass recovery and restoration in Tampa Bay through ecological forecasting and hindcasting of exposure to waves. Final report.

Abstract

In recent years, large expanses of Tampa Bay have experienced natural seagrass recolonization correlated with the achievement of improved water quality. However, it now appears that seagrass has slowed its rate of recolonization and recovery does not approach that of the historical, pre-impact distributions of the early part of the 20th Century. One theory is that the substantial reduction of long shore sandbars during the mid to late 20th Century has created a situation where waves are now reaching portions of the shoreline that historically had enjoyed a more quiescent setting suitable to the establishment and maintenance of extensive seagrass habitats. In response to this, a research project developed to employ a wave exposure model (Relative Exposure Index – REI) designed to evaluate the influence of these bars on seagrass cover. Data is provided and the results of these activities are described.