Seagrass

a crucial role in slowing the acidification by reducing their carbon emissions. One way mankind can positively affect the acidification of oceans is by reducing the burning of fossil fuels and finding more carbon sinks, like regrowing mangrasses, seagrass beds, and marshes. Another way humans can play their part in helping the environment is by lowering the amount of carbon dioxide used each day. This can be down by recycling, turning off lights, walking or biking rather than driving, using…

the many unintentional marine animal helpers that maintain the health of their coral reefs. They prove themselves worthy of being protective, since “They are a fundamental link in marine ecosystems and help maintain the health of coral reefs and seagrass beds”(WWF). Even with being a maintainer of the health of the coral reefs around them, it is apparently not a big enough reason to not be hunted. Hawksbills are a huge help to their coral reefs and grass beds because of their habit of eating…

I’ve always believed that the ocean is the heart of Earth, the center of life and the most perfect natural beauty this Earth has seen. When I was younger, swimming always was a way for me to escape normal life and jump into life under the sea, a way to put all stress and worries behind me, and instead simply swim. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a Marine biologist, and help the animals that have been on earth for millions of years, live longer and have a better life. Sharks…

Biscayne Bay, the coral limestone keys and the offshore Florida Reef. The shoreline swamps of the mainland and island margins provide a nursery for larval and juvenile fish, molluscs and crustaceans. The bay waters harbor immature and adult fish, seagrass beds, sponges, soft corals, and manatees. The keys are covered with tropical vegetation including endangered cacti and palms,…

muted as I whisked down the path with my board clanging against my side. Strapping in, I was soon drifting down the beach inches at a time, my feet dangling numb to the hypothermic waters. As the sun was just a few hours from setting into the waving seagrass, thoughts became gradually amplified as a feared local was anticipated to arrive; the illuminating glimpses of stray rocks beneath the lulling surface assured me there was nothing lurking beneath. I had commenced with my usual, self-taught…

The Chesapeake Bay is a marine aquatic life zone biome. This estuary is a mixture of salt water and fresh water. This is a sub biome of the Aquatic. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and third largest in the world. An estuary is a body of water where the salt water of the ocean mixes with the fresh water of rivers and streams. The Bay is 200 miles long and flows through the states of Virginia and Maryland. More than 150 rivers, creeks, and streams flow into the…

INTRODUCTION The West Indian manatee’s scientific name is Trichechus manatus, which approximately translates to “sea cow”. They are a member of the order Sirenia which contain the dugong and the abruptly extinct Steller’s sea cow. Manatees are large and come in varying colors of gray and brown. They are marine mammals but unlike a dolphin or whale the manatee has a flat, paddle like tail. They have two front flippers which each has at least three nails on it, another quality distinguishing it…

This is a manatee. [pic: Pearson Scott Foresman] At first glance you might think it was related to seals or walruses, but its closest living relatives are actually elephants [pic: Bernard Dupont] and small, stocky hyraxes. [pic: D. Gordon E. Robertson] The three species of manatees, along with the related dugong, are the only living members of the Sirenia order that evolved from the same land mammal as elephants over 50 million years ago. [pic: Edwardtbabinksi] Although some of them still…

rainforest” and “North America’s most diverse estuary.” It is home to more than 4,000 species of plants and animals including sea turtles, seahorses, manatees and a bottle nosed dolphin that lives only in the Indian River Lagoon. The Lagoon’s many seagrass beds and mangrove mud flats are home also to numerous sea creatures — oysters, clams, shrimp, crabs and fish — who depend on the nurture of this rich and fragile habitat. The lagoon holds one-third of the United States’ manatee population…

Preparing for the expansion of the Panama Canal, the Port of Miami, also known as PortMiami, is faced with economic challenges and boundless markets of opportunities. Indeed, this will reshape the port development and cargo distribution that will affect one of the most significant economic markets for South Florida. PortMiami is located on Dodge Island just east of the city of Miami. It is a non-operating port owned by Miami-Dade County and managed by the Miami-Dade County Seaport Department.…