RECOVER MAP 3.3.3.9 Benthic Mapping and Substrate Characterization

The overall objective of this project is to map the four (4) Northern Estuaries (Caloosahatchee River Estuary, St. Lucie Estuary/Indian River Lagoon, Loxahatchee Estuary, and Lake Worth Lagoon) in south Florida for bottom type (e.g. shell, silt, mud, muck) and location of oyster beds and seagrasses (Figure 1). In addition, density of live oysters, as well as percent coverage of seagrasses at select locations in these estuaries will be examined. While monitoring of oyster reef and seagrass health is currently taking place in many of the subject estuaries, the extent and distribution/coverage of oyster reefs, seagrasses and their exact current locations in the estuaries is unknown. In addition, comprehensive bottom type and morphology of the estuarine portion is lacking. Since the spatial location and extent (as well as health) of oyster reefs, seagrasses, and bottom types (gravel, silt, mud, muck etc.) influences the natural expansion of oyster reefs and seagrasses and success of restoration activities, mapping of the benthic habitats and bottom types in the subject estuaries is essential. This additional mapping (beyond oyster reef and seagrass health) is essential since increasing the coverage of healthy oyster beds and seagrasses is a CERP goal. The mapping performed and data collected will serve to support several broad program objectives, including: establishment of pre-CERP reference conditions and variability, determining the status and trends in resource conditions, detecting unexpected responses in the ecosystem resulting from CERP activities, and supporting scientific investigations leading to an increased understanding of the ecosystem, cause and effect relationships, and unanticipated results.