Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan 

2009 System Status Report 

Restoration Coordination and Verification 

(RECOVER) 

September 2010


		


		


 

		


		

	

	

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... i

LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................... xvii 

LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................... xxi 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... xli 

ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................. xliii 

UNITS OF MEASUREMENT ................................................................................................. xlix 

KEY FINDINGS ..................................................................................................................... KF-1 

			
 	
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CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1-1 

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AND 2009 ......................................................................................................................... 2-1 

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CHAPTER 5. DATA MANAGEMENT .................................................................................. 5-1 

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5.5 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 5-6 

CHAPTER 6. LAKE OKEECHOBEE MODULE ................................................................. 6-1 

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CHAPTER 7. NORTHERN ESTUARIES MODULE ........................................................... 7-1 

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CHAPTER 8. GREATER EVERGLADES MODULE .......................................................... 8-1 

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COMPANION DOCUMENT 8A – MONITORING EARLY AND LATE DRY SEASON 

AQUATIC FAUNA FORAGE BASE......................................................................... 8A-1 

COMPANION DOCUMENT 8B – PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS OF WADING 

BIRDS AND AQUATIC FAUNA FORAGE BASE ...................................................8B-1 

COMPANION DOCUMENT 8C –VERIFICATION FO THE PREDATOR-PREY 

CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR WADING BIRDS AND AQUATIC FAUNA 

FORAGE BASE USING DATA FROM ROSEATE SPOONBILL STUDIES IN 

FLORIDA BAY ............................................................................................................ 8C-1 

CHAPTER 9. SOUTHERN COASTAL SYSTEMS MODULE. .......................................... 9-1 

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Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 1 September 2010 

Southern Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary 

Freshwater discharges into the St. Lucie River ultimately flow into the Southern Indian River 

Lagoon and over submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities, which include seagrass and 

macroalgae. This region was impacted by hurricanes and associated freshwater discharges in 

2004 and 2005. Following the hurricanes, observed impacts to Southern Indian River Lagoon 

SAV communities included large coverage and density declines and smaller direct impacts due 

to burial by shifting bottom sediments. 

The Southern Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary support six species of seagrass: 

Halodule wrightii, Syringodium filiforme, Thalassia testudinum, Halophila decipiens (paddle 

grass), Halophila johnsonii (Johnson’s grass), and Halophila engelmannii. H. wrightii and 

S. filiforme are the dominant canopy species in the lagoon (Thompson, 1978; Dawes et al., 1995; 

Morris et al., 2000). While all of these species are most successful in salinities greater than 20 

practical salinity units (psu), H. wrightii can tolerate a wide range of salinity and salinity 

variations. However, S. filiforme is not as tolerant of low salinities or widely varying salinities 

(Irlandi, 2006). 

Southern Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary SAV monitoring consisted of water quality 

monitoring for salinity and water clarity and four SAV components: 

1. Lagoonwide, landscape-scale mapping every two to three years since 1986 

2. Species-specific landscape-scale mapping in 2007 and 2008 in Southern Indian River 

Lagoon, and in 1997 and 2007 in St. Lucie Estuary 

3. Patch-scale bimonthly monitoring along fixed transects from August 2002 to August 

2007 

4. Patch-scale bimonthly monitoring using the patch-quadrat method beginning in 

November 2007 

SAV coverage targets have been developed for the Southern Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie 

Estuary based on suitable habitat. The target for SAV in the Southern Indian River Lagoon is to 

increase cover of SAV beds to areas that are less than 1.7 meter mean sea level (msl) in depth. 

The lagoon has a total of 19,799 acres of suitable habitat, of which 7,808 (39 percent) is already 

colonized by seagrass. For the St. Lucie Estuary, the target is to increase cover of SAV beds to 

areas that are less than one meter msl in depth. The St. Lucie Estuary has 922 acres of suitable 

habitat, none of which contain seagrass. The performance measure documentation sheet is 

available online at www.evergladesplan.org/pm/recover/recover_docs/et/ne_pm_sav.pdf. In 

addition, a target has been developed for a salinity range most favorable to the estuaries valued 

ecosystem components (VECs), which include SAV. This salinity is estimated at 12 to 20 psu as 

measured at the Roosevelt Bridge. The performance measure is available online at 

www.evergladesplan.org/pm/recover/recover_docs/et/ne_pm_-salinityenvelopes.pdf. 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 2 September 2010 

Landscape-Scale Mapping 

Lagoonwide Mapping 

SAV distribution has been mapped in the Southern Indian River Lagoon every two to three years 

since 1986, including annual mapping from 2005 through 2007 to assist in hurricane impacts 

assessment. Areas mapped include the lagoon from the St. Lucie County and Indian River 

County line south to the Jupiter Inlet. Additionally, the section of the St. Lucie Estuary 

downstream of the Roosevelt Bridge is included within the map boundaries. Map acreage results 

are presented by lagoon segments (22-26) (Steward et al., 2003), which are presented in Figure 

1. 

Overall lagoon SAV acreage increased from 8,030 acres in 2006 to 8,847 acres in 2007 (Figure 

2). The 2007 System Status Report (SSR) (RECOVER, 2007) noted a decline in the acreage of 

dense continuous SAV from 2003 to 2006 between the Stuart Causeway and the St. Lucie Inlet. 

Gains and additional losses were documented in the same area from 2006 to 2007 

(Figure 2). A large area of SAV loss along the west shore previously supported S. filiforme 

(Rebecca Robbins, personal observation). Field work conducted one year later documented the 

presence of H. johnsonii (Avineon, Inc. 2008), a diminutive pioneer species that colonizes areas 

left bare by the loss of canopy forming species and may eventually be replaced by more robust 

species. This indicates seagrass recovery within this portion of the lagoon. Areas of “gain” 

between the Stuart Causeway and St. Lucie Inlet are also indications of recovery. These areas are 

largely shallow, on and along shoals. One year after the mapping, H. wrightii and H. johnsonii

(Avineon, Inc 2008) were found in these shallow areas. 

Robbins and Conrad (2001) provide a detailed analysis of lagoon SAV map data from 1986 to 

1999. Their report includes a comparison of seagrass acreage to a 1.7-meter depth target 

established through the Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvement and Management 

(SWIM) planning process (Steward et al., 2003). The SWIM plan states that this target may not 

be appropriate for all lagoon segments and directs the water management districts to evaluate 

appropriate targets. The SWIM plan suggests a 1-meter depth target for the St. Lucie Estuary. 

Crean et al. (2007) compared seagrass and water quality data to evaluate water quality targets for 

restoring and protecting lagoon seagrasses. Their targets are based on a 1.3-meter benchmark. 

All three targets (1.0, 1.3 and 1.7 meters) are shown on Figure 3. 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 3 September 2010 

FIGURE 1. MAP OF SOUTHERN INDIAN RIVER LAGOON AND 

ST. LUCIE ESTUARY SHOWING LAGOON SEGMENTS 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 4 September 2010 

FIGURE 2. SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION CHANGE IN SOUTHERN 

INDIAN RIVER LAGOON FROM 2006 TO 2007 

 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 5 September 2010 

FIGURE 3. POTENTIAL SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION COVER AS 

FUNCTION OF SUITABILITY AT THREE DEPTHS 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 6 September 2010 

Figure 4 shows acreage by segment over time from 1999 to 2007 compared to these depth 

targets. From 2003 to 2006, total acreage declines, or declines in the dense SAV category, 

occurred in all segments except Segment 23. The acreage declines are likely a result of hurricane 

impacts. All segments showed an increase in overall coverage from 2006 to 2007 indicating 

recovery of SAV resources. 

FIGURE 4. SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION ACREAGE AND POTENTIAL 

COVERAGE TARGETS FROM 1999 TO 2007 

Segments 24 and 25 would be the most influenced by restoration implementation due to 

proximity to the St. Lucie Estuary. Figure 3 and Figure 4 indicate potential for expansion of 

SAV in both segments. However, runoff from surrounding mangrove wetlands and heavy boat 

traffic, which suspend bottom sediments, both contributed to the dark waters in Segment 25 and 

may limit SAV restoration (Robbins and Conrad, 2001). 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 7 September 2010 

Preliminary depth targets per segment are presented in Table 1. Water quality around Segment 

22 may improve with implementation of the C-25 Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan 

(CERP) project (www.evergladesplan.org/ pm/projects/proj_07_irl_south.aspx). However, those 

improvements are likely to be localized near the C-25 Canal discharge since much of it exits the 

lagoon via the Fort Pierce Inlet. Figure 3 shows mapped acreage in this segment often meets the 

one-meter depth target but significant acreage increases, which are unlikely to result from 

restoration activities, would be needed to meet the 1.3-meter target. Accordingly, a one-meter 

depth target is recommended. 

TABLE 1. DEPTH TARGETS FOR SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION 

COVERAGE 

Segment 

Preliminary Depth Target for SAV 

Coverage 

1.0 

meter 

1.3 

meters 

1.7 

meters 

22 X 

23 X X 

24 X 

25 X 

26 X 

St. Lucie Estuary X 

For Segment 23, the one-meter target has been consistently exceeded since 1999. Therefore, a 

target depth of at least one meter should be set for this segment. It is unclear whether restoration 

efforts will improve water quality in all or parts of this segment. Further evaluation of both water 

quality and seagrass data are needed for setting a preliminary target for this segment. 

For Segments 24 and 25, the one-meter target suggested for the adjacent St. Lucie Estuary is 

recommended for these segments. Figure 3 shows that meeting the one-meter target would result 

in a substantial increase in SAV coverage in Segment 24 and potentially Segment 25. However, 

as discussed above, factors other than water management strongly influence water clarity in 

Segment 25. Finally, Segment 26 acreage consistently exceeds the 1.7-meter SWIM target. 

Accordingly, the target for this segment should be at least 1.7 meter. 

Species Specific Mapping in Southern Indian River Lagoon 

Lagoon-wide SAV maps, based on aerial photographs, provide an overall understanding of the 

SAV coverage and distribution in segments. However, these maps do not provide information on 

SAV species distribution. Understanding SAV species distribution is important for water 

management considerations because SAV species found in the Southern Indian River Lagoon 

have species specific salinity thresholds (Irlandi, 2006). Once restoration projects are completed, 

species shifts may occur, which cannot be detected from maps created from aerial photographs. 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 8 September 2010 

FIGURE 5. SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION 

SPECIES IN BEDS NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE ST. 

LUCIE RIVER 

Halophila 

decipiens

6%

Halodule 

wrightii

Syringodium 46%

filiforme 

19%

Halophila 

johnsonii 

29%

Thalassia 

testudinum 

0%

The portion of the lagoon most affected by water management practices is the area that receives 

discharges from the St. Lucie Estuary. Accordingly, the area of the lagoon adjacent to the estuary 

mouth was selected for a species specific mapping project. The field work was completed in 

2007 and 2008. 

Of the area mapped, almost 50 percent was occupied by H. wrightii (Figure 5). Dominance by 

this species is likely due to bathymetry and salinity tolerance. Other canopy forming species 

present in the lagoon, S. filiforme and T. testudinum, are less successful in these very shallow 

areas, which are less than 0.6 meter msl. Additionally, of the canopy forming species, H. wrightii

has the greatest tolerance of both salinity range and variability (Irlandi, 2006), and can better 

adapt to the fluctuating salinities experienced near the mouth of the estuary. As distance from the 

mouth of the St. Lucie Estuary increased, the percentage of H. wrightii declined and 

T. testudinum and H. decipiens increased (Figure 6). The lack of shoals north of the Stuart 

Causeway and a more stable salinity regime may account for these differences. 

Since the species specific mapping field work was done following the 2004 and 2005 hurricane 

seasons, mapped distribution helped document recovery in some areas. Based on monitoring 

results discussed below, some beds of S. filiforme were impacted, with reduced density and 

elimination, near the mouth of the St. Lucie Estuary. It is expected, that over time, some areas 

mapped as Halophila sp and H. wrightii will shift to S. filiforme dominated beds. 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 9 September 2010 

FIGURE 6. 2007-2008 SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION SPECIES 

DISTRIBUTION FOR THE SOUTHERN INDIAN RIVER LAGOON 

Halophila 

decipiens 

24%

Halodule 

wrightii 

26%

Syringodium 

filiforme 

18%

Halophila 

johnsonii

20%

Thalassia 

tetudinum 

12%

Halophila 

decipiens 

1%

Halodule 

wrightii 

48%

Syringodium 

filiforme 

19%

Halophila 

johnsonii

31%

Thalassia 

testudinum

1%
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 10 September 2010 

Species Specific Mapping in St. Lucie Estuary 

Historic SAV maps (Figure 7a, b and c) show SAV extending throughout the estuary. The most 

recent maps were completed in 1997 (Figure 7d) and 2007 (Figure 8). Most areas inspected 

during these mapping projects did not support SAV. In 2007, very sparse (less than 10 percent 

cover in most areas) SAV was present in the lower and middle estuary, but not in either of the 

forks. Three seagrass species occurred within the estuary: H. wrightii, H. johnsonii and 

H. decipiens. The majority of the SAV occurred in small isolated patches. The dominant SAV 

species in 2007 was H. johnsonii. It also extended farther upstream than any other SAV species. 

A previous study determined that a depth target of approximately one meter was recommended 

for SAV restoration in the St. Lucie Estuary (Steward et al., 1994). Meeting this depth target may 

result in a thin fringe of SAV throughout much of the estuary. St. Lucie Estuary restoration 

efforts are focusing on meeting oyster salinity requirements in the middle estuary, so seagrasses 

with similar requirements should be able to recruit into these areas. R. maritima is the most likely 

SAV species to be successful in the North and South Forks once the restoration salinity regime is 

in place as this species is adapted to lower salinity conditions (Irlandi, 2006). The middle estuary 

FIGURE 7. ST. LUCIE ESTUARY SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION MAP FOR 

A) 1940-1960, B) 1960-1980, C) 1980-1996, D) 1997 

a

c d

b
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 11 September 2010 

would most likely support SAV species such as H. wrightii and H. johnsonii. The lower estuary, 

where highest salinity and clearest water would occur, would most likely continue to support 

H. wrightii and H. johnsonii, and may eventually support S. filiforme as observed by Phillips 

(1960). 

FIGURE 8. ST. LUCIE ESTUARY SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION MAP 

COMPLETED IN 2007 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 12 September 2010 

Patch-Scale Monitoring

Fixed Transect Method 

Patch-scale monitoring documents seasonal changes in seagrass and associated macro-algae (i.e. 

epiphytes, attached algae and drift algae). The four study sites are shown on Figure 9. Sites 1 

and 4 were monitored for one year from August 2002 through eptember 2003. Sites 2 and 3 were 

monitored for five years from August 2002 through August 2007. 

FIGURE 9. FIXED TRANSECT SUBMERGED 

AQUATIC VEGETATION SAMPLING SITES 

Mean shoot counts and canopy heights for S. filiforme prior to hurricane impacts are shown in 

Figure 10 and Figure 11, respectively. Peak shoot counts (approximately 1,400 shoots per 

square meter [/m2]) and canopy heights (maximum at Site 2 approaching 50 centimeter [cm]) 

occurred in July for Sites 1 through 3. A significantly lower shoot count peak (approximately 

400 shoots/m2) occurred at Site 4 in September (Figure 10). Peak canopy height at Site 4 

occurred in June (Figure 11). However, field notes from July indicate that grazing by manatees 

or sea turtles observed in the area appeared to have reduced the canopy height. Site 4 is a small, 

patchy site, heavily impacted by boat wakes and may not be representative of most lagoon S. 

filiforme beds. 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV N

Final 2009 System Status Report 13 

FIGURE 10. S. FILIFORME MEAN SHOOT COUNTS (±SE) AT SITES 1, 2 AND 4 PRIOR TO H
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV N

Final 2009 System Status Report 14 

FIGURE 11. S. FILIFORME CANOPY HEIGHT (MEAN±SE) AT SITES 1, 2 AND 4 PRIOR TO HURR

2002 TO SEPTEMBER 2003 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 15 September 2010 

Figure 12 shows preliminary data on drift (primarily red algae) and attached algae (Caulerpa

sp.) percent occurrence, as well as epiphyte coverage at Site 2 prior to the hurricane impacts. All 

months had low occurrence of drift algae with apparent peaks from February through April and 

another in November. Attached algae occurrence was greatest from March through June. 

Additional data analysis is needed to fully evaluate algae data collected during this project. 

FIGURE 12. MACRO ALGAE A) MEAN COVERAGE (± SE ) AND B) PERCENT 

OCCURRENCE PRIOR TO HURRICANE IMPACTS AT SITE 2 PRIOR TO 

HURRICANES AUGUST 2002 TO AUGUST 2004 

In addition to the seasonal decline in water clarity toward the end of the summer, there is also a 

seasonal rise in water level. Figure 13 provides a conceptual diagram based on water level 

readings from the Jensen Beach Causeway collected during pre-hurricane SAV monitoring, 

FIGURE 13. CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAM OF NATURAL FACTORS DRIVING 

SEASONAL VARIATION IN SEAGRASS GROWTH 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Depth (cm)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Photoperiod (hours)

Monthly Maximum Water Level Mean S. filiforme Canopy Height

Photoperiod

~74 

~114 cm
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 16 September 2010 

mean canopy height at Site 2, and the elevation of the lagoon bottom near the middle of Site 2. 

The late summer and early fall decline in canopy height and shoot counts coincides with reduced 

photoperiod, declining temperatures, increased water levels over reduced canopy heights, and 

greater light attenuation in the water column due to increased turbidity and color and shallower 

Secchi depths. All of these factors help define the seasonal variability of lagoon seagrasses. 

In 2004 and 2005, hurricanes impacted the area. Figure 14 summarizes the hurricane effects 

experienced at Site 2. From project initiation in 2002 through 2004, the site supported a lush 

S. filiforme bed. Low salinities and associated poor water quality greatly impacted S. filiforme at 

this site and likely other beds in the area. The hurricanes also altered bathymetry on the east and 

west edges of the site, covering seagrasses. 

FIGURE 14. CHANGES IN SEAGRASS PERCENT OCCURRENCE AND DOMINANT 

SPECIES FROM 2002 TO 2007 AT SITE 2 SHOWING HURRICANE EFFECTS 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 17 September 2010 

Figure 15 documents 

the decline in S. 

filiforme percent 

occurrence at Site 2 

following the 2004 

hurricanes. However, 

the steepest decline in 

percent occurrence of 

this species occurred in 

2005 after Hurricane 

Wilma. Much of the S. 

filiforme was lost from 

the site. H. johnsonii 

followed by H. wrightii 

colonized the former S. 

filiforme habitat and 

recruited throughout the 

site. Available data 

indicates a clear trend 

toward recovery of the 

S. filiforme bed at this 

site and these findings 

should apply to other 

areas in the vicinity. 

At Site 3 (as depicted in 

Figure 16), the S. 

filiforme bed was 

buried by sediment 

during the 2004 

hurricanes. As of March 

2009, very little 

recovery of S. filiforme

has occurred at this site 

(Figure 16). As 

observed at Site 2, H. 

wrightii percent 

occurrence increased 

following the hurricane 

impacts, as did percent 

occurrence of H. 

johnsonii. H. decipiens

percent occurrence does 

not show a distinct 

trend at this site. 

FIGURE 15. MEAN (± SE) PERCENT OCCURRENCE OF S. 

FILIFORME, H. WRIGHTII AND H. JOHNSONII AT SITE 2 

FROM AUGUST 2002 TO MARCH 2007 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV N

Final 2009 System Status Report 18 

FIGURE 16. MEAN (±SE) PERCENT OCCURRENCE OF S. FILIFORME, H. WRIGHTII, H. JOH

H. DECIPIENS AT SITE 3 FROM AUGUST 2002 TO MARCH 2007 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 19 September 2010 

Patch-Quadrat Method 

As the five-year study discussed above was concluding, a new SAV monitoring methodology 

was developed. This methodology is discussed in more detail at the beginning of the SAV 

section. Ten monitoring sites were established in Southern Indian River Lagoon 

(Figure 17). The site sizes and current SAV species composition are provided in 

Table 2. From October 2007 through November 2008, South Florida Water Management District 

Scientists (SFWMD) scientists tested the new methods at least once at each of the ten sites. 

Beginning in December 2008, a team of consultants began monitoring each of the ten sites 

bimonthly. Three sites, WILL_CK, Site 2 and SLI_SE, are monitored monthly to provide 

information for SFWMD operation decisions. 

As discussed above, the new monitoring program was formally started in December 2008. 

Percent cover and canopy height measured during testing and initial monitoring events are 

shown in Figure 18 and Figure 19, respectively, for Site 2. The canopy species had peak 

canopies in June (monitoring was not conducted in July), which compares well with prehurricane data. Peak S. filiforme heights (approximately 30 centimeters) are comparable to those 

measured at Sites 1 and 3 during the monthly monitoring project, but not as high as peak heights 

at Site 2 prior to the hurricanes. S. filiforme canopy height was significantly greater than H. 

wrightii during peak growth. 

The new monitoring program includes a site within the St. Lucie Estuary at Willoughby Creek 

(WILL_CK in Figure 17). This site supports the most upstream, persistent SAV bed in the 

estuary. Initial monitoring occurred in July 2008, during which time the bed supported both 

H. wrightii and H. johnsonii (Figure 20). Following the monitoring event, freshwater discharges 

into the estuary reduced salinities in the estuary (Figure 22). The next monitoring event occurred 

in October 2008. During that monitoring event, no H. johnsonii was observed and percent 

occurrence of H. wrightii declined (Figure 20). Continued monitoring has documented recovery 

of H. wrightii, but not H. johnsonii. Figure 21 shows the seagrass canopy height at this site. 

Summary

While the regions’ SAV experienced severe stress as a result of the hurricanes and associated 

freshwater discharge, the system’s SAV status is improving as documented by increases in 

mapped acreage, recruitment into areas left bare following the hurricanes, and transition from 

pioneer to canopy species. 

During the next SSR update period, the SFWMD intends to map the Southern Indian River 

Lagoon from 2009 imagery if funding is available. It is recommended that groundtruthing during 

this effort include inspections of areas mapped as H. johnsonii during the 2007 to 2008 species 

specific mapping to determine if recovery is continuing with species composition shifting to 

canopy species. 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 20 September 2010 

FIGURE 17. NEW METHODOLOGY SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION 

SAMPLING SITES IN SOUTHERN INDIAN RIVER LAGOON, ST. LUCIE ESTUARY 

AND LAKE WORTH LAGOON 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 21 September 2010 

TABLE 2. SITE SIZES AND CURRENT SAV SPECIES COMPOSITION OF NEW 

SAMPLING SITES IN SOUTHERN INDIAN RIVER LAGOON AND ST. LUCIE 

ESTUARY 

Site Name Seagrass Species Size 

BSI (Site 2) 

Syringodium filiforme 

Halodule wrightii 

Halophila johnsonii 

Thalassia testudinum

Halophila decipiens 

1.87 acres 

SLI_NE 

Halodule wrightii 

Halophila johnsonii 

Thalassia tetudinum

1.90 acres 

SITE_1 

Halodule wrightii 

Syringodium filiforme 

Halophila johnsonii 

Halophila decipiens

1.91 acres 

WILL_CK 

Halodule wrightii 

Halophila johnsonii 

Thalassia testudinum

1.88 acres 

SLI_SE Halodule wrightii 

Halophila johnsonii 0.80 acres 

FP_NW 

Halodule wrightii 

Syringodium filiforme 

Halophila johnsonii 

Halophila engelmannii 

Thalassia testudinum

1.71 acres 

FP_NE 

Halodule wrightii 

Thalassia testudinum 

Syringodium filiforme 

1.92 acres 

SITE_3 

Halophila johnsonii 

Halodule wrightii 

Halophila decipiens 

Syringodium filiforme 

0.69 acres 

OC_BR_PK Halodule wrightii 

Syringodium filiforme 1.93 acres 

JOES_PT 

Halodule wrightii 

Syringodium filiforme 

Halophila johnsonii 

Halophila decipiens 

1.83 acres 
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 22 September 2010 

FIGURE 18. MEAN (+SE) PERCENT COVER OF SUBMERGED AQUATIC 

VEGETATION AT SITE 2 DURING TESTING AND INITIAL MONITORING EVENTS 

USING NEW METHODOLOGY 

FIGURE 19. MEAN (+SE) CANOPY HEIGHT OF SUBMERGED AQUATIC 

VEGETATION AT SITE 2 DURING TESTING AND INITIAL MONITORING EVENTS 

USING NEW METHODOLOGY 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Percent Occurrence 

Site 2 Percent Occurrence of Seagrass

Halodule wrightii

Syringodium filiforme

Halophila johnsonii

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Average Canopy Height (cm)

Site 2 Average Seagrass Canopy Height per Species

Halodule wrightii

Syringodium filiforme

Halophila johnsonii
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 23 September 2010 

FIGURE 20. MEAN (±SE) PERCENT OCCURRENCE OF SEAGRASS AT 

WILLOUGHBY CREEK IN THE ST. LUCIE ESTUARY FROM JULY 2008 TO 

MARCH 2009 

FIGURE 21. MEAN (±SE) SHOOT COUNTS OF SEAGRASS AT WILLOUGHBY 

CREEK IN THE ST. LUCIE ESTUARY FROM JULY 2008 TO MARCH 2009 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Percent Occurrence 

Willoughby Creek Percent Occurrence of Seagrass

Halodule wrightii

Halophila johnsonii

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Canopy Height (cm)

Willoughby Creek Seagrass Canopy Height

Halodule wrightii

Halophila johnsonii
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 24 September 2010 

FIGURE 22. SALINITY NEAR THE WILLOUGHBY CREEK SITE 

REFERENCES 

Avineon, Inc. 2008. 2008 Species Specific SAV Mapping Test Project (Phase II). Final Project 

Report for contract ST061300-WO05 for South Florida Water Management District, West 

Palm Beach, FL. September 2008. 

Crean, D.J., R.M. Robbins and N. Iricanan. 2007. Water quality target development in the 

Southern Indian River Lagoon. Florida Scientist 70(4):522-531. 

Dawes, C.J., D. Hanisak and W.J. Kenworthy. 1995. Seagrass biodiversity in the Indian River 

Lagoon. Bulletin of Marine Sciences 57(1):59-66. 

Irlandi, E. 2006. Literature Review of Salinity Effects on Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) 

found in the Southern Indian River Lagoon and Adjacent Estuaries. South Florida Water 

Management District, West Palm Beach, FL. 

Morgan and Eklund, Inc. 2003. Lake Worth Lagoon Bathymetric Survey. Prepared for Palm 

Beach County Environmental Resources Management, West Palm Beach, FL. 

Morris, L.J., R.W. Virnstein, J.D. Miller and L.M. Hall. 2000. Monitoring seagrass changes in 

Indian River Lagoon, Florida using fixed transects. Pages 167-176 in S.A. Bortone (ed), 

Seagrasses: Monitoring, Ecology, Physiology, and Management, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 

FL. 

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Jan08 Jul08 Jan09

Salinity (psu)

St. Lucie Estuary Bottom Mean Daily Salinity Near 

Willoughby Creek 

Data provisional and subject to change
Southern Indian River Lagoon & St. Lucie Estuary SAV Northern Estuaries Module 

Final 2009 System Status Report 25 September 2010 

Phillips, R.C. 1960. Observations on the ecology and distribution of the Florida sea grasses. 

Professional Papers Series, Florida Board of Conservation 2:1-72. 

RECOVER. 2007. 2007 System Status Report. Restoration Coordination and Verification 

Program c/o United States Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, FL, and South Florida 

Water Management District, West Palm Beach, FL. July 2007. 

Robbins, R. and C. Conrad. 2001. Southern Indian River Lagoon seagrass change analysis 

(1986-1999). South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, FL. 

Steward, J.S., R. Brockmeyer, P. Gostel, P. Sime and J. Van Arman. 2003. Indian River Lagoon 

Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan, 2002 Update. St. Johns River 

Water Management District, Palatka, FL, and South Florida Water Management District, 

West Palm Beach, FL. 

Thompson, M.J. 1978. Species composition and distribution of seagrass beds in the Indian River 

Lagoon, FL. Florida Scientist 41(2):90-96.