Abstract
 Modeling a Sea Grass Restoration Target for an Urbanized Florida Estuary Track: Ocean, Coastal, and Marine Resources Author(s): Rod Braun Loss of seagrasses has been documented worldwide and has been correlated with anthropogenic eutrophication and alteration of habitats. Developing a seagrass restoration target or numeric goal based on available understanding of the history and physical characteristics of an estuary sets up guidelines for ongoing and future habitat restoration projects. Palm Beach County (Florida) Department of Environmental Resources Management has developed a methodology to model a seagrass restoration target in Lake Worth Lagoon. Potential sea grass habitat is modeled using a bathymetric survey to develop a digital elevation model, seagrass mapping from aerial photography to determine seagrass distribution by depth, and estuarine substrate characteristics. A user can determine where seagrass restoration or recruitment is likely to occur and can assist in setting a restoration target based on these factors. Additionally, the information developed provides an effective management tool to determine where restorative and protection efforts should be focused. Rod Braun Palm Beach County Dept. of Environmental Resources Management Natural Resources Stewardship 3323 Belvedere Road, Bldg 502 West Palm Beach , FL 33406 US Phone: 561-233-2536 Fax: 561-233-2414 E-mail: rbraun@co.palm-beach.fl.us |
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