Florida Bay Project Profiles: Survival of Aquatic Plant Transplants in Florida Bay

Question: Does salinity fluctuate less in a slow (Seven Palm Lake) versus fast (Taylor River) freshwater flow system in northern Florida Bay? Will the dominant aquatic plants survive and grow better in habitats where salinity fluctuations are minimized?

Experiment: Four species of aquatic plants were transplanted into five sites each in the Seven Palm Lake and Taylor River drainage basin systems of northeastern Florida Bay. Twice a month, from January to December 1997, salinity was recorded and the aquatic plants were evaluated for survival and growth (the production of new shoots, leaves or roots indicated growth).

Findings To Date: Turtle grass, (Thalassia testudinum) can withstand short periods of low salinity. When the salinity values are reduced quickly the plant will die or lose all of its leaves. If the salinity is elevated and is maintained around 20 parts salt per thousand (ppt) the turtle grass will sprout new leaves. If the salinity is reduced gradually then the turtle grass will change blade shape (shorter, thinner, and curled leaves).

Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) and shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) will grow well in a wide range of salinities, but growth is quickly retarded when salinity fluctuates.

Musk algae (Chara hornmanii) will grow best in fresh water and is extremely sensitive to rapid changes in salinity. However, it is able to survive a gradual increase of salinity over a three to four week period of up to 10 ppt.

Status: Results are being analyzed and the final report will be completed December 1998.

Restoration Impacts: The findings from this research will be added to a multi-species aquatic plant vs. salinity fluctuation computer simulation model. This model will enable the water management districts to predict flowrate impacts on downstream salinities and aquatic communities in northern Florida Bay.

Funding Source: South Florida Water Management District

Other Related Profiles:

FBPP - 04
FBPP - 05

January 07, 2009 This page last modified: July 16, 2001
January 07, 2009 This page last modified: July 16, 2001	*Seagrass Ecology* Survival of Aquatic Plant Transplants in Florida Bay Florida Bay Project Profile - 2 *Question:* Does salinity fluctuate less in a slow (Seven Palm Lake) versus fast (Taylor River) freshwater flow system in northern Florida Bay? Will the dominant aquatic plants survive and grow better in habitats where salinity fluctuations are minimized? *Experiment:* Four species of aquatic plants were transplanted into five sites each in the Seven Palm Lake and Taylor River drainage basin systems of northeastern Florida Bay. Twice a month, from January to December 1997, salinity was recorded and the aquatic plants were evaluated for survival and growth (the production of new shoots, leaves or roots indicated growth). *Findings To Date:* Turtle grass, (Thalassia testudinum) can withstand short periods of low salinity. When the salinity values are reduced quickly the plant will die or lose all of its leaves. If the salinity is elevated and is maintained around 20 parts salt per thousand (ppt) the turtle grass will sprout new leaves. If the salinity is reduced gradually then the turtle grass will change blade shape (shorter, thinner, and curled leaves). Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) and shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) will grow well in a wide range of salinities, but growth is quickly retarded when salinity fluctuates. Musk algae (Chara hornmanii) will grow best in fresh water and is extremely sensitive to rapid changes in salinity. However, it is able to survive a gradual increase of salinity over a three to four week period of up to 10 ppt. *Status: Results are being analyzed and the final report will be completed December 1998. Restoration Impacts:* The findings from this research will be added to a multi-species aquatic plant vs. salinity fluctuation computer simulation model. This model will enable the water management districts to predict flowrate impacts on downstream salinities and aquatic communities in northern Florida Bay. *Funding Source:* South Florida Water Management District *Other Related Profiles:* FBPP - 04 FBPP - 05
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Seagrass Ecology

Survival of Aquatic Plant Transplants in Florida Bay