Coastal wetlands in Cedar Key, Florida. Picture by Tyler Jones (UF/IFAS).
Rejoice World Wetlands Day by recognizing the salt marshes in Florida’s Huge Bend Area! This international occasion, noticed yearly, goals to extend consciousness concerning the very important position of wetlands in sustaining our planet’s well being. Moreover, it marks the anniversary of the Conference on Wetlands, established as a world treaty in 1971. Florida’s Huge Bend salt marshes play an indispensable position in shaping coastal programs by influencing native economies, biodiversity, water high quality, and ecological resilience.
Cultural and Financial Significance
Archaeological discoveries within the Huge Bend, together with shell middens, ceremonial websites, and varied artifacts, unveil a wealthy historical past spanning 1000’s of years, illustrating how indigenous folks interacted with salt marshes and different pure programs. Right this moment, native salt marshes proceed to be culturally and economically vital, supporting communities reliant on seafood manufacturing and ecotourism.
Based on Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) and Florida Division of Environmental Safety (FDEP), over 70% of Florida’s most necessary business and leisure fish and shellfish species depend on salt marshes and different estuarine habitat sooner or later of their life cycle, making safety of coastal wetlands vitally necessary to the way forward for Florida’s fisheries.
Diamondback terrapin in wetlands.
Biodiversity
Huge Bend salt marshes are dynamic ecosystems characterised by day by day flooding from tide cycles and are dominated by salt-tolerant vegetation reminiscent of clean cordgrass, black needle rush, and American glasswort. These marshes function essential breeding, nesting, and foraging grounds for hen species, and act as distinctive nurseries for juvenile fish and different organisms by offering shelter from bigger predators.
Notable fauna in these habitats embrace striped mullet, blue crab, periwinkle snails, Jap oysters, and keystone species just like the diamondback terrapin. Moreover, threatened species, such because the roseate spoonbill, are additionally current, together with the Florida salt marsh vole—an endangered and geographically restricted species with solely two present recognized populations within the state.
Present Situation
Like all wetland ecosystems, salt marshes in Florida’s Huge Bend are negatively impacted by improvement, results of local weather change, and disturbances in upstream ecosystems that affect water high quality, movement, and sediment distribution.
Regardless of these threats, salt marshes on this area of the state have fared comparatively properly on account of conservation efforts and fewer improvement impacts, notably dredging initiatives. Massive land tracts reminiscent of St. Marks Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, Decrease Suwannee Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, and Huge Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Protect, are protected by public possession and safeguard 1000’s of acres of salt marsh and various habitats. Coastal communities like Cedar Key are actively implementing dwelling shorelines to fight erosion and improve habitats by restoring options of pure marsh communities. The success of regional conservation within the Huge Bend serves for example of how human wants may be balanced with the preservation of significant ecosystems.
Sea Grant dwelling shoreline in Cedar Key, FL. Picture by Tyler Jones (UF/IFAS).
Local weather Influence
Along with conservation efforts, researchers are actually investigating how salt marsh communities can adapt to a altering local weather and bolster resilience. Threats reminiscent of sea degree rise and warming temperatures are reshaping the composition of plant and animal species in Florida’s marshes. As sea ranges rise, coastal improvement and infrastructure could stop the inland migration of marshes, resulting in habitat loss via “coastal squeeze.”
Rising temperatures and fewer chilly climate occasions pose one other threat, permitting mangrove species to outcompete salt marsh grasses. This shift is observable all through the state, with mangroves advancing northward past the Huge Bend and alongside the Atlantic Coast. Ongoing local weather impacts spotlight the pressing want for proactive measures to protect the fragile stability of those ecosystems. Discover extra about these initiatives on the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Organic Station.
Water High quality Safety
Salt marshes take in, filter, and take away pollution that affect water high quality. For instance, marshes usually intercept vitamins like nitrogen and phosphorus from floor runoff. These vitamins are eliminated or remodeled via a mixture of bodily, chemical, and organic processes that contain all elements of the wetland: soil, crops, microbes, and even animals like fiddler crabs! The breakdown and storage of pollution in salt marshes enhance water high quality in close by marine and estuarine ecosystems, retaining fisheries and different habitats wholesome.
Defending salt marshes and coastal water high quality requires native engagement. Residents dwelling close to these ecosystems ought to concentrate on laws influencing their actions, reminiscent of vegetative buffer necessities. Being conscious of how particular person actions can contribute to collective impacts can be important. As a result of salt marshes are delicate to upstream disturbances, residents can defend ecosystem well being by curbing behaviors that lead to nutrient runoff, air pollution, soil erosion, and so forth. Following greatest administration practices for landscaping and waste disposal ensures that wetlands can proceed to operate as “nature’s kidneys.”
An airboat navigates the salt marsh and oyster beds at low tide close to Cedar Key, Florida. Picture by Carlton Ward Jr.
Native Stewardship
If you wish to take an lively position in defending salt marshes, contemplate volunteering with native restoration or cleanup initiatives such because the Worldwide Coastal Cleanup. Locals also can attain out to Citizen Assist Organizations (CSOs) for close by public lands, aquatic preserves, and nature parks, e.g., Buddies of St. Marks Nationwide Wildlife Refuge in Wakulla County. These teams usually have alternatives for involvement in schooling, restoration, and upkeep of preserves.
It’s also extremely necessary for folks to attach with ecosystems they could be unfamiliar with, in addition to those they search to guard. Within the Huge Bend, there are many public preserves the place folks can go to and discover salt marshes. The Withlacoochee Gulf Protect in Yankeetown is a superb place to see marshes, tidal creeks, and extra—particularly from the 30-foot statement tower. The Dennis Creek Path close to Shell Mound within the Decrease Suwannee Nationwide Wildlife Refuge additionally presents guests a brief hike with quite a bit to see. As you cross the boardwalk over the tidal flat, be sure to wave to the fiddler crabs. You may even see them wave again!
