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Mariposa Key (Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve) Field Trip
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On a clear day in February 2001 (02/13/01) a group of USGS scientists made a preliminary reconnaissance trip to the Terra Ceia Buffer Preserve along the southeast edge of Tampa Bay. The Buffer Preserve consists of land acquired as a buffer for the protection of the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Aquatic preserve manager, Randy Runnels, accompanied us into the preserve. The USGS group included Terry Edgar (GD), Ellen Raabe (GD), Carole McIvor (BRD), and Tom Smith (BRD). The purpose of our trip was to examine the variety of landscape features and biological communities within the Buffer Preserve boundaries.
We selected the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve and adjoining Buffer Preserve for research because of the relative health of the aquatic habitat and the potential to recover, manage, and protect the wetlands and upland habitat along this portion of Tampa Bay. It is the intent of the state aquatic preserve system to manage existing habitats and to restore natural habitats where possible. The Terra Ceia Bay Preserve area has been impacted by human activities, but to a lesser degree than many other portions of the bay. This area holds promise as an example of the efficacy of wetlands restoration and management adjoining an aquatic preserve.
The Buffer Preserve is a mixture of fallow farm fields, mosquito ditches, and natural coastal wetlands of mangroves and high marsh. The fields are overgrown with several exotic species including the infamous Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius). Windbreaks of Australian Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia L.), also an exotic, tower above the native trees in the preserve. The mosquito ditches have altered the surface hydrology, diverting and blocking surface flow. The ditches are thickly canopied by native and exotic species with one side dominated by spoil piles. Shallow, mangrove fringed ponds and salt barrens are part of the natural setting. Scattered native coastal hammock of oak and sabal palm persist as isolated remnants. Restoration efforts are planned to recover a more natural environment.
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On this initial field trip we collected water samples from the ponds, made observations of floral and faunal assemblages, and extracted sediment cores. We observed a range of salinities in the ponds and salt barrens from brackish (5 ppt) to hypersaline (57 ppt). We noted near-surface basement rock (Arcadian formation), and distinct horizons within 0.3 m of the surface. Plant communities, birds, fish, and invertebrates were observed.
We will determine environmental and climate history of the area with a series of cores taken along a transect from Tampa Bay to the uplands of the preserve. A canvassing of the isolated wetlands will help determine locations for intensive biological surveys. We plan to conduct thorough field surveys on the vegetation, setting up permanent transects for continued monitoring. Fish (nekton) and invertebrate assemblages will be assessed at selected sites. The initial work conducted at this site will serve as the basis for monitoring the preserve through a restoration project. It will also be combined in a functional GIS with several other data collection efforts in a demonstration of integrated science in an estuarine setting.
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For more information on the content of this page, please contact:
Ellen Raabe, Physical Scientist
U. S. Geological Survey/GD
600 4th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: 727-803-8747 ext. 3039
Email: eraabe@usgs.gov
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