Distribution of Seagrasses in Tampa Bay, Florida
Phillips RC and Florida State Board of Conservation Division of Salt Water Fisheries. 1962. Distribution of Seagrasses in Tampa Bay, Florida. Special Scientific Report No. 6. St. Petersburg, FL
A survey was made of Tampa Bay for marine grasses during autumn 1960. All seagrass growth was found shoreward of the one fathom curve (MLW). Highwater turbidity seemed the best explanation for this depth limit of growth. Two zones of plant growth seemed to prevail in all areas, except north of Courtney-Campbell Parkway where Ruppia dominated on flats from shallowest locations to the one fathom depth. Depending on the area of Tampa Bay generally, either Ruppia or Diplanthera dominated growth close to shore (roughly intertidal). Approximately at the spring low tide level Syringodium became dominant. Ruppia and Diplanthera were often found in the Syringodium zone but never in great amounts. Probably due to the prevalence of salinities below the optimum for Thalassia, that species was encountered only in sparse amounts.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Phillips, Ronald; Florida State Board of Conservation Division of Salt Water Fisheries
- Date of Issue
- 1962-09-01
- Units
- SFCN
- Keywords
- Coastal, Diplanthera, Marine flora, Plants, Ruppia