Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/118445
Sarasota News Leader March 29, 2013 Page 58 The beds serve as nurseries for juvenile fish, leading state experts to share these observascallops, crabs and shrimp, Dominguez point- tions," the release adds. ed out. Existing research indicates that time of year, "Manatees, turtles, sharks and rays feed on water temperature, salinity and tides, as well the plants themselves or on the smaller crea- the age of seagrass, can all influence the flowtures that live there," the release noted. "Many ering of Manatee grass, the release points out. birds also feed in the grass flats. Seagrass Generally, healthier bays equal healthier seahelps maintain water quality by filtering and grass habitats, it adds. anchoring sediments. Without it, most of the "In Sarasota County, there have been subregions they inhabit would be a seascape of stantial efforts to reduce pollutants in water unstable shifting sand and mud," it says. bodies," the release says. "As a result, water quality has improved and the abundance of Twice a year, Sarasota County staff and volseagrass has increased through the years." unteers have been surveying seagrass in every bay in Sarasota County to better understand The current amount of seagrass in Sarasota local habitats and identify trends that can help County is close to historic levels of acreages, manage these systems, the release continues. the release points out. "During this winter's seagrass survey, they To learn more about Sarasota County's seagrass have seen an unusual amount of flowering mapping program or for information about how Syringodium filiforme, also known as Man- to volunteer, contact the Sarasota County Call atee grass, along the east side of Sarasota Bay. Center at 861-5000 (TTY: 711) or visit the SaraCounty scientists have reached out to several sota County website at www.scgov.net. Research has shown that health of seagrass in area waters has improved significantly over the past several years. Photo courtesy of NOAA