Welcome to: Mangroves A to Z. Special thanks:

Transcription

1 Welcome to: Mangroves A to Z Special thanks:

2 Our Presenters: Wayne Blythe, SFWMD Heather Carman, SFWMD Richard Cervi, Cervi Associates Katy Collins, FDEP Kate Davis, Davis Environmental Solutions Brandon Howard, NMFS Josh Mahoney, Miami-Dade County Howard Nelson, Bilzin Sumberg Melissa O Connor, Kelley Kronenberg Lisa Spodafina, Miami-Dade County Ryan St. George, Broward County Dayne Tomasetti, Native Tree Service

3 Today s Agenda 9:00 9:30 Opening Remarks, Overview of Mangrove Function, Importance, Research 9:30 10:30 Regulatory Overview 10:30-10:45 Morning Break 10:45 11:30 Permitting Challenges how to obtain a mangrove trimming permit 11:30 12:15 Compliance and Enforcement illegal mangrove trimming violation cases 12:15 1:15 Lunch Break LUNCH PROVIDED EXPLORE THE PARK ON YOUR OWN OR OPTIONAL Q&A: WHAT IF?/ I HAVE THIS SITE 1:15-1:45 Preparing for the Field mangrove ID, pruning and planting techniques 1:45 2:00 Afternoon Break MEET ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MANGROVE HALL 2:00 3:30 Field Demonstrations Three rotating groups (30 minutes each): 1) Plant Identification 2) Pruning/Trimming Techniques 3) Mangrove Planting 3:30 4:00 Q&A /Closing Remarks

4 Why Mangroves? 1996 Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act The Legislature finds that mangroves play an important ecological role as habitat for various species of marine and estuarine vertebrates, invertebrates, and other wildlife, including mammals, birds, and reptiles; as shoreline stabilization and storm protection; and for water quality protection and maintenance and as food-web support. The mangrove forest is a tropical ecosystem that provides nursery support to the sports and commercial fisheries. Through a combination of functions, mangroves contribute to the economies of many coastal counties in the state....the Legislature finds that scientific studies have shown that mangroves are amenable to standard horticultural treatments and that waterfront property owners can live in harmony with mangroves by incorporating such treatments into their landscaping systems. The Legislature finds that the trimming of mangroves by professional mangrove trimmers has a significant potential to maintain the beneficial attributes of mangrove resources

5 Mangrove Functions Mangrove canopies provide perching and nesting habitat for birds Mangrove forests provide habitat and food for wildlife such as key deet The roots slow the movement of tidal waters, causing sediments to settle out of the water and build up the muddy bottom. Improve water quality by filtering sediment and assimilating dissolved nutrients Mangrove forests stabilize the coastline, reducing erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides Mangrove root systems are attractive to juvenile fishes, crabs and other organisms seeking food and shelter from predators Mangroves provide detritus that feeds the nearshore marine ecosystem

6 Research Conservation International Economic Values of Coral Reefs, Mangroves, and Seagrasses: A Global Compilation. Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA Mangrove communities contribute significant, quantifiable economic benefits to the surrounding communities based on their functions. Several values (1998 dollars) placed mangrove habitat from $180-$220,000 of economic value per year. Eric Heald & William Odum, UM, The Contribution of Mangrove Swamps to Florida Fisheries. As mangrove leaves drop into tidal waters they are colonized within a few hours by marine fungi and bacteria that convert carbon compounds into nitrogen rich detritus. The resulting pieces covered with microorganisms become food for the smallest animals such as worms, snails, shrimp, mollusks, mussels, barnacles, clams, oysters, and the larger commercially important striped mullet. These detritus eaters are food for carnivores including crabs and fish, subsequently birds and game fish follow the food chain, culminating with man. Cavanaugh et al /pnas , Poleward expansion of mangroves is a threshold response to decreased frequency of extreme cold events. As global climate changes, locally extreme cold weather events have decreased in north Florida, leading to a doubling of mangrove habitat.

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