Tampa Bay Integrated Science Pilot Study:

Wetlands Characterization

Summary

• Reduction of freshwater inflow in the Alafia River is coincident with conversion of salt marsh to mangrove vegetation at locations in the lower portion of the river. Future studies will explore possible causative factors of this vegetation change.
  
  
• Tidal channels in both the Alafia River and at Terra Ceia provide year-round habitat for resident fishes as well as nursery habitat for transient fishes that are spawned offshore. In contrast, the many brackish ponds at Terra Ceia are dominated by resident fish species.
  
  
• Several identified faunal and floral species will effectively serve as ecological indicators of environmental conditions, both natural and anthropogenic.
  
  
• Monitoring sites will assist in linking wetland conditions to environmental parameters such as hydrodynamics, climate change, water and sediment quality.