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PROJECT GREENSHORES HABITAT RESTORATION AND MONITORING PROJECT MX974850
Impact/Purpose:
The monitoring program will evaluate the habitat and water quality benefits of the restoration project. Monitoring will include quarterly water quality monitoring, bi-annual benthic invertebrate sampling, quarterly seagrass coverage and density, emergent vegetation coverage and density, and wildlife utilization. Water quality monitoring will include HydroLab parameters, temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen, as well as turbidity, bacteria counts, and nutrient analysis. Wildlife utilization monitoring will include bi-annual bird survey, bi-annual bivalve density, and quarterly qualitative fish species monitoring using a seine net. The Florida DEP/NW District and other environmental agencies will utilize the results to determine success.
Description:
The requested funding will support this Tissue Culture Laboratory and the Coastal and Wetland Plant nursery and provide plant propagation materials (potting soil, fertilizer, growth hormones, pots, trays, test tubes, racks, etc.) for 12 months. Plants propagated by this funding will be used for seagrass and emergent wetland restoration projects. The other portion of this project is to continue the comprehensive monitoring program to evaluate the effectiveness of the Project Greenshores Restoration project. Monitoring will include water quality characterization and habitat characterization throughout the project site. Additional monitoring will be done to document the growth and establishment of submerged and emergent vegetation as well as colonization of the oyster reefs by oysters and other filter feeders. Any resulting oysters resulting on these reefs are not intended for food consumption as this area is not approved for shellfish harvesting. Rather these oysters will be utilized for their water filtering capabilities to improve water quality in Pensacola Bay. Results/Outcomes: The installation of emergent wetland plants will transform unvegetated areas of shoreline from bare sand into lush stands of salt marsh vegetation, approximately 40 acres. These improved habitats will provide food and cover for birds, fish and other wildlife, while reducing erosion along the shoreline and improving water quality. The installation of seagrasses will convert subtidal areas that are currently unvegetated sandy bottom habitat with a relatively low level of species diversity to more highly diverse seagrass communities and will provide critical habitat for juvenile fish, shrimp, crabs, and other important species while helping to improve water quality. The monitoring program will evaluate the habitat and water quality benefits of the restoration project. Monitoring will include quarterly water quality monitoring, bi-annual benthic invertebrate sampling, quarterly seagrass coverage and density, emergent vegetation coverage and density, and wildlife utilization. Water quality monitoring will include HydroLab parameters, temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen, as well as turbidity, bacteria counts, and nutrient analysis. Wildlife utilization monitoring will include bi-annual bird survey, bi-annual bivalve density, and quarterly qualitative fish species monitoring using a seine net.
