The rave around town: Restoration a success.
Everyone is talking about our eelgrass and restoration success! Residents are chatting up a storm about how beautiful the water looks and many guides are reporting more and more aquatic life! Native sportfish, invertebrates, and animals are showing up to feed and live inside the restored areas. Many years ago, the algae and substrate of the springs were suffocating species of all kinds and as this project continues to succeed evidence shows that restored areas are prosperous.
The proof is here!
Evidence can be seen in restored areas with just one snorkel around hunters basin where Jurassic spring, Hunters spring, and House spring pump out millions of gallons a day. A snorkel through this basin shows you multiple species of fish i.e Largemouth Bass, Common Snook, Tidewater Mojarra (In huge abundance!), Striped mullet, and many other fishes. Along with fish, we now see more invertebrates and vertebrates such as mollusks, crustaceans, reptiles, and water birds/waterfowl. One of the biggest macroinvertebrate species that flourished in the eelgrass is called the Hyalella azteca, and it is a very important amphipod crustacean that is a huge part of our waterfowl diet. Maybe that’s why our bird hunting season has been growing?
In restored areas Hyalella azteca is 19.7% higher than in controlled areas in 2018. This not only shows that a significant macroinvertebrate return has happened, but it has also supported more substance for our ecosystems food chain.
Make your impact positive!
When you visit, or get a chance to jump in the water just keep in mind how you may be affecting the environment that you play in. Each person may leave more impact than they know, so be aware of the eelgrass that provides habitat. Try not to trample on it and pull it up, or mix up the bottom sediment as is holds many small organisms that are vital for the ecosystem. The more gentle you are, the more fun you’ll have viewing the undisturbed wildlife in the basin.
To add, I think it is safe to say that the Manatees are happy to see the environment changing, along with our migratory waterfowl, fish communities, and visitors coming to see the beautiful crystal clear (filtered) water. We can thank our non-profit community organization for creating such a grand beginning for the Bay. Stay active, teach each other to have a gentle love for our springs, and continue checking up on the King Bay Restoration Project as we reach our aptitude for environmental beautification.
