Herbivorus green sea urchin counts from surveys conducted in St. Joseph Bay, Florida, USA in May 2016 and August 2019

The herbivorus green sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) was surveyed across the southern part of St. Joseph Bay at 16 sites spaced approximately 1 nautical mile apart. Initial surveys were performed in May 2016 as part of a prior study of seagrass coverage, reproduction, and herbivore intensity. Using RAPID funds, the same survey was conducted in August 2019, 11 months after Hurricane Michael, an extremely powerful category 5 tropical cyclone, made landfall nearby with devastating effects. Densities were recorded by snorkelers in 5 replicate, haphazardly thrown 0.25-m2 quadrats at each site.

Comparing pre- and post-hurricane urchin densities allows for estimates of how Hurricane Michael's passage impacted resident urchin densities. These data were collected by Dorothy Byron and Alexandra Rodriguez of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.