Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Draft Tampa Bay Interagency Seagrass Monitoring Program Training And Field Manual, Walt Avery, Roger Johansson, J. J. Pacowta

Reports

To insure quality assurance of the data collected among the various agencies, a training session is held each fall immediately prior to baywide TBISP monitoring. The goals of the session are to 1) determine the variability of the data collection among the agencies and to minimize this variability and 2) assess the repeatability of a seagrass investigator in determining species composition, abundance, density, and height. The purpose of this manual is to provide a seagrass researcher with information concerning TBISP protocols and results.

Data Summary From The Tampa Bay Interagency Seagrass Monitoring Program Through Year 2008, Walt Avery, Roger Johansson

Reports

In 1997, the TBEP coordinated the creation of a bay-wide fixed transect seagrass monitoring program. The primary goal of the program is to document temporal and spatial changes in seagrass species composition, abundance, and distribution along a depth gradient. Several bay area agencies committed personnel and equipment to the program. Data collection from 60 transects began in 1998. Currently, 62 transects are monitored due to revisions in transect selection and location. This paper presents a general summary of Tampa Bay seagrass trends from 1998-2008

Long-Term And Seasonal Trends In Phytoplankton Production And Biomass In Tampa Bay, Florida., J.O. R. Johansson

Reports

Phytoplankton production is a basic process in aquatic ecosystems that converts inorganic carbon into organic matter and provides an important indicator of trophic state. The City of Tampa Bay Study Group maintains a 32 year long monthly record of phytoplankton production rates and biomass (chlorophyll-a) in Hillsborough Bay (HB) and Middle Tampa Bay (MTB), and a recent record during the last nine years for Old Tampa Bay (OTB). Production is measured using the classic in situ 14C method with samples incubated vertically in the water column. Annual production rates during the most recent decade are about 410gCm-2 for HB, 350gCm-2 …

Nutrient Enrichment Studies Of Natural Phytoplankton Populations In Tampa Bay: A Summary Of Results June 1993 To August 2009, The City Of Tampa Wastewater Department

Reports

The Bay Study Group (BSG) has been conducting nutrient enrichment studies (bioassays) on natural phytoplankton populations at four locations in Tampa Bay since 1993 (Figure 1). This report will summarize findings for all tests that have been performed to date, from June 1993 through August 2009.

Restoration Of Seagrass Habitat In Tampa Bay Using Large Manatee Grass (Syringodium Filiforme) Sod Units And A Discussion Of Planting Site Sediment Elevation Dynamics, Roger Johansson, Walt Avery, K. B. Hennenfent, J. J. Pacowta

Reports

The final project monitoring results show that the manatee grass transplanting effort was completed successfully. First, the donor site monitoring indicated that disturbances caused by harvesting were fully mitigated within the two year study period. Second, about 1300m2 of manatee grass were established in an area previously devoid of this species. Third, at the end of the study period the per unit area above ground biomass of the restored manatee grass in several of the planting plots was similar to, or may have exceeded the biomass of the donor grass at the time of harvest. Finally, several of the restored …

Vargo Results, University Of South Florida

Reports

Major Results and Conclusions from USF Bioassay on Dunaliella sp.

Tampa Bay Interagency Seagrass Monitoring Program A Synopsis Of Seagrass Trends From 1997-2006, Walt Avery, Roger Johansson

Reports

This paper presents trends in percent frequency of occurrence (PFOC) of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). PFOC is defined as the number of times a seagrass or attached alga species is found within a specific data set of meter square placements divided by the total number of meter square placements within that data set. The data sets comprised of all meter square placements grouped either by management area (MA), bay subsection, or Tampa Bay as a whole. Ancillary data of SAV species annual PFOC, abundance, short shoot density (SSDm-2), and canopy height (cm) are presented in the appendix.

Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (Cdom) Workshop Summary, Catherine A. Corbett

Reports

The Charlotte Harbor NEP hosted a 2-day technical exchange workshop on CDOM as an imperative first step in implementation of the program’s numeric water quality targets to initiate a dialogue with local researchers and resource managers on the importance of CDOM dynamics and the roles it plays in estuaries. Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program hosted the technical exchange workshop to discuss and gain a better understanding of CDOM dynamics in the Lemon Bay, Charlotte Harbor and Estero Bay watersheds.

Final Draft Seagrass Transect Monitoring And Aerial Photography In Old Tampa Bay (Task D), J. O. R. Johansson, W. M. Avery, K. B. Hennenfent, J. J. Pacowta

Reports

In 2004, the TBEP and partners were again granted funds from the PCEF to conduct additional seagrass and water quality research primarily in the Feather Sound area of the OTB study area. The overall purpose of this work was to formulate a seagrass restoration and preservation management strategy for, specifically, the NW quadrant. The BSG participated in this project, from here on called PCEF II, and performed Task D of this project named “Seagrass Transect Monitoring and Aerial Photography in OTB.” In addition to the tasks originally identified for Task D, late in the project, the BSG also applied an …

Data Summary From The Tampa Bay Interagency Seagrass Monitoring Program Through Year 2005, Walt Avery, Roger Johansson

Reports

Results regarding seagrass species abundance, distribution, and zonation over time are presented for the 1997-2005 period in Hillsborough Bay (HB, Figures 17-27) and the 1998-2005 period for Old Tampa Bay (OTB, Figures 3-14), Middle Tampa Bay (MTB, Figures 29-41), Lower Tampa Bay, including Terra Ceia Bay (LTB, Figures 43-57), and Boca Ciega Bay (BCB, Figures 59-69). For each transect, results are presented in a graphic format illustrating annual species composition, abundance, and distribution. Seagrass abundance is presented as percent coverage within a square meter using the Braun Blanquet coverage class system.

Seagrass Transect Data Summary And Analysis From A Six-Year Period: 1999 - 2004, Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc, Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Florida Department Of Environmental Protection

Reports

This report contains a summary and analysis of data from a seagrass transect monitoring project begun in 1998 by the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Seagrass abundance and distribution data at twenty-six locations around Upper Charlotte Harbor, Gasparilla Sound / Lemon Bay, and the Peace and Myakka Rivers have been collected annually each year since 1999 to characterize the local and regional abundance of seagrasses. The purpose of this report is to summarize the dataset, to detect changes (if any) in seagrass abundance and distribution which may have occurred over time, to suggest mechanisms that may …

Nutrient Enrichment Studies Of Natural Phytoplankton Populations In The Lower Hillsborough River Conducted On October 10 - 13, 2005, The City Of Tampa Wastewater Department

Reports

The Bay Study Group (BSG) conducted nutrient enrichment studies (bioassays) on natural phytoplankton population samples collected at four locations in the Lower Hillsborough River on October 10, 2005. Test site HR1 was located approximately 320m upriver of the Rowlett Park Blvd. bridge (Lat: 28o 01.368’N; Lon: 82o 25.914’W), test site HR2 was located approximately 200m upriver of the Nebraska Ave. bridge (Lat: 28o 01.174’N; Lon: 82o 26.960’W), test site HR3 was located approximately 280m downriver of the Florida Ave. bridge (Lat: 28o 01.257’N; Lon: 82o 27.740’W), and test site HR4 was located approximately 20m upriver of the Sligh Ave. bridge …

Data Summary From The Tampa Bay Interagency Seagrass Monitoring Program Through Year 2004, Walt Avery, Roger Johansson

Reports

Results regarding seagrass species abundance, distribution, and zonation over time are presented for the 1997-2004 period in Hillsborough Bay (HB, Figures 16-27) and the 1998-2004 period for Old Tampa Bay (OTB, Figures 3-14), Middle Tampa Bay (MTB, Figures 29-41), Lower Tampa Bay, including Terra Ceia Bay (LTB, Figures 43-57), and Boca Ciega Bay (BCB, Figures 59-69). For each transect, results are presented in a graphic format illustrating annual species composition, abundance, and distribution. Seagrass abundance is presented as percent coverage within a square meter using the Braun Blanquet coverage class system.

Biomass Shifts In Phytoplankton, Macroalgae And Seagrass With Reduced Nitrogen Loading Rates To Hillsborough Bay, J.O. R. Johansson

Reports

Presentation on Biomass Shifts In Phytoplankton, Macroalgae And Seagrass With Reduced Nitrogen Loading Rates To Hillsborough Bay.

Summary Of Nutrient Enrichment Studies Of Natural Phytoplankton Populations In The Lower Hillsborough River And The Palm River Conducted On February 1 - 4, 2005, The City Of Tampa Wastewater Department

Reports

The Bay Study Group (BSG) conducted nutrient enrichment studies (bioassays) on natural phytoplankton population samples collected in the lower Hillsborough River and the Palm River on February 1, 2005. The Hillsborough River test site was located approximately 200m upriver of the Nebraska Avenue bridge (Lat: 28o 01.171’N; Lon: 82o 27.025’W) and the Palm River test site was located approximately 300m downstream from the barrier at Structure-160 (Lat: 27o 57.308’N; Lon: 82o 22.200’W).

Summary Of Nutrient Enrichment Studies Of Natural Phytoplankton Populations In The Lower Hillsborough River, The Palm River, And The Alafia River Conducted On October 18 - 22, 2004, The City Of Tampa Wastewater Department

Reports

The Bay Study Group (BSG) conducted nutrient enrichment studies (bioassays) on natural phytoplankton population samples collected in the Lower Hillsborough River, the Palm River, and the Alafia River on October 18, 2004. The Lower Hillsborough River test site was located approximately 200m upriver of the Nebraska Avenue bridge (Lat: 28o 01.171’N; Lon: 82o 27.025’W), the Palm River test site was located approximately 300m downstream from the barrier at Structure-160 (Lat: 27o 57.308’N; Lon: 82o 22.200’W), and the Alafia River test site was located at the Hillsborough County boat ramp at Center Avenue (Lat: 27o 52.842’N; Lon: 82o 18.011’W).

Data Summary From The Tampa Bay Interagency Seagrass Monitoring Program Through Year 2003, Walt Avery, Roger Johansson

Reports

Results regarding seagrass species abundance, distribution, and zonation over time are presented for the 1997-2003 period in Hillsborough Bay (HB, Figures 15-26) and the 1998-2003 period for Old Tampa Bay (OTB, Figures 3-14), Middle Tampa Bay (MTB, Figures 28-40), Lower Tampa Bay, including Terra Ceia Bay (LTB, Figures 41-56), and Boca Ciega Bay (BCB, Figures 57-68). For each transect, results are presented in a graphic format illustrating annual species composition, abundance, and distribution. Seagrass abundance is presented as percent coverage within a square meter using the Braun Blanquet coverage class system.

Interm Report Of A Pilot Study To Evaluate Impacts To Water Quality And Seagrass Meadows From The Green Mussel (Perna Viridis) Invasion In Hillsborough Bay, Tampa Bay, Florida., J.O.R. Johansson, W. M. Avery

Reports

The green mussel (Perna viridis) was discovered in Tampa Bay in 1999 and was first noted as a biofouler at a power generating plant. This was apparently the first record of this species in the U.S. Since 1999, green mussels have been found throughout Tampa Bay and in other marine locations outside Tampa Bay on the west-coast of Florida (Benson et al. 2001; Benson et al. 2002).

This report constitutes an interim report provided to the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) to describe progress on the project to date. A final project report, including a detailed discussion of …

Seagrass And Caulerpa Monitoring In Hillsborough Bay Fifteenth Annual Report, City Of Tampa Department Of Sanitary Sewers

Reports

This is the fifteenth annual report submitted to the FDEP to satisfy the requirements set forth in Reclaimed Water and Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements condition #10 of the Howard F. Curren WWTP operation permit FL0020940-001-DW1P.

The City of Tampa, Department of Sanitary Sewers, Bay Study Group (BSG), created in 1976, has monitored the effects of pollution abatement that occurred in Hillsborough Bay when the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (formerly Hookers Point Wastewater Treatment Plant) was upgraded to secondary treatment in 1978 and advanced treatment in 1979. During the mid 1980's, water quality improvements and evidence of …

Results Of The City Of Tampa Surface Water Compliance Monitoring Program For The Year 2003 And Examination Of Long-Term Water Quality And Biological Indicator Trends In Hillsborough Bay, The City Of Tampa Wastewater Department

Reports

This report is submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to satisfy the requirements set forth in Reclaimed Water and Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements condition No. 10 of the Howard F. Curren WWTP operation permit FL0020940-001- DW1P. The report is based on data obtained by the City of Tampa (COT) surface water compliance monitoring program approved on August 14, 2000 by the FDEP. The report includes examination of long-term trends for water quality parameters and biological indicators collected by the City of Tampa Bay Study Group and the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County (EPC).

Factors Influencing Seagrass Recovery In Feather Sound, Tampa Bay, Florida, Feather Sound Seagrass Recovery Workgroup

Reports

This document is a summary of the findings and recommendations of the Feather Sound Seagrass Recovery Workgroup.

In response to nutrient load reductions and resulting clearer water, seagrasses have expanded significantly in many areas of Tampa Bay since the mid-1980s. However, the recovery rate and expansion of seagrasses in several areas, especially in the Feather Sound region of Old Tampa Bay, have been much slower. This project was designed to examine factors that may be affecting seagrass recovery and growth in the Feather Sound region compared to three other areas of Old Tampa Bay.

Seagrass Monitoring In Old Tampa Bay (Task C), J. O. R. Johansson, W. M. Avery

Reports

The seagrass monitoring program coincided with the Old Tampa Bay water quality program, also a technical element of the seagrass restoration strategy project. The primary objective of the seagrass monitoring project was to establish baseline seagrass characteristics in the selected study areas. In addition, the measured seagrass characteristics were to be examined for year-to-year variations, potential relationships with water quality parameters, and also if possible, for relationships with results from other technical elements included in the wide encompassing seagrass restoration strategy project.

Data Summary From The Tampa Bay Interagency Seagrass Monitoring Program Through The Year 2002, Walt Avery, Roger Johansson

Reports

Results regarding seagrass species abundance, distribution, and zonation over time are presented for the 1997-2002 period in Hillsborough Bay (HB, Figures 15-26) and the 1998-2002 period for Old Tampa Bay (OTB, Figures 3-14), Middle Tampa Bay (MTB, Figures 28-40), Lower Tampa Bay, including Terra Ceia Bay (LTB, Figures 42-56), and Boca Ciega Bay (BCB, Figures 58-68). For each transect, results are presented in a graphic format illustrating annual species composition, abundance, and distribution. Seagrass abundance is presented as percent coverage within a square meter using the Braun Blanquet coverage class system.

The Fourth Tampa Bay Area Scientific Information Symposium Basis 4, S. F. Treat

Reports

We have observed large fluctuations in Tampa Bay fish populations over the last decade, and these changes may be associated with the environment, management practices, or other factors. Staff of the Florida Fish and Wildlife and Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute began developing the Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) program in 1988 and have monitored fish populations in Tampa Bay continuously since 1989. Various types of sampling gear have been utilized during the history of FIM, but 21.3-m bag seines have been used since the beginning of the program. This small seine is effective at capturing juveniles of many economically …

Experimental Halodule Wrightii And Syringodium Filforme Transplanting In Hillsborough Bay, Florida, Walt Avery, Roger Johansson

Reports

Discusses several transplant efforts in Hillsborough Bay, Florida using Halodule wrightii and Syringodium filiforme that we at the City of Tampa, Bay Study Group were involved in during the late 1980s. Acknowledgement of several people who put a lot of time into the project: My co-author Roger Johansson, Mr. Gene Pinson, one of our biologists with Bay Study, and Andy Squires, who was a biologist with Bay Study during the 80s and is now an environmental manager with Pinellas County.

Results Of The City Of Tampa Surface Water Compliance Monitoring Program For The Year 2002 And Examination Of Long-Term Water Quality And Biological Indicator Trends In Hillsborough Bay, City Of Tampa Department Of Sanitary Sewers

Reports

This report is submitted to Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER) to satisfy the requirements set forth in specific condition No. 10 of Howard F. Curren WWTP permit FL0020940-001-DW1P. The report is based on data obtained by the City of Tampa (COT) surface water compliance monitoring program approved on August 14, 2000 by the FDEP. The report also includes examination of long-term trends for water quality parameters and biological indicators collected by the City of Tampa Bay Study Group and the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County (EPC).

Seagrass And Caulerpa Monitoring In Hillsborough Bay Fourteenth Annual Report, City Of Tampa Department Of Sanitary Sewers

Reports

This is the fourteenth annual report submitted to the FDEP to satisfy the requirements set forth in Reclaimed Water and Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements condition #10 of the Howard F. Curren WWTP operation permit FL0020940-001-DW1P.

The City of Tampa, Department of Sanitary Sewers, Bay Study Group (BSG), created in 1976, has monitored the effects of pollution abatement that occurred in Hillsborough Bay when the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (formerly Hookers Point Wastewater Treatment Plant) was upgraded to secondary treatment in 1978 and advanced treatment in 1979. During the mid 1980's, water quality improvements and evidence of …

Surface Water Quality - 2002 Hillsborough County, Florida Raw Data Summary, Tom Cardinale

Reports

The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County (EPC) is charged with the responsibility of monitoring the quality of surface water in the county. The data and information collected enables staff to determine pollution status and trends throughout Tampa Bay and it's tributaries. The data is also widely distributed to other government agencies, academia, the local scientific community and the general public. EPC's routine monthly surface water monitoring began in January of 1972, with the Tampa Bay estuary and was expanded to major rivers and streams in 1973. This report is a tabulation of the raw data produced on surface water …

Data Summary From The Tampa Bay Interagency Seagrass Monitoring Program Through The Year 2001, Roger Johansson, Walt Avery

Reports

This paper presents a general overview of the Tampa Bay Interagency Seagrass Monitoring Program and results concerning seagrass distribution within Tampa Bay. Further, a summary of trends in areal coverage and major changes in species composition observed during the course of the monitoring program are also included. Data collected during the course of the program pertaining to water quality, sediment composition, and epiphytes are not discussed within this report. All inf

Results Of The City Of Tampa Surface Water Compliance Monitoring Program For The Year 2001 And Examination Of Long-Term Water Quality And Biological Indicator Trends In Hillsborough Bay, City Of Tampa Department Of Sanitary Sewers

Reports

This report is submitted to Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER) to satisfy the requirements set forth in specific condition No. 10 of Howard F. Curren WWTP permit FL0020940-001-DW1P. The report is based on data obtained by the City of Tampa (COT) surface water compliance monitoring program approved on August 14, 2000 by the FDEP. The report also includes examination of long-term trends for water quality parameters and biological indicators collected by the City of Tampa Bay Study Group and the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County (EPC).