The geography and natural resources of the Florida Keys make them among the most diverse of ecosystems in North America. The chain of over 1,700 islands that make up the archipelago of the Keys extends approximately 220 miles southwest along the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. As recently as 125,000 years ago, the islands themselves were actually part of a submerged coral reef. Mangroves are vital for the structural support that they provide for the shoreline, and the protection they provide to the thousands of marine creatures that seek refuge among their protective roots. In the waters surrounding the islands are distinct habitats that combine to form a marine ecosystem unlike any other in the continental United States.
Seagrasses require ample amounts of sunlight.
The depth at which they can be found is limited by the clarity of the water. Their blades help to maintain water clarity by trapping fine suspended particles and sediments. They stabilize the sea floor with their roots and rhizomes, in much the same way that grasses on land help to prevent soil erosion. Seagrass beds also serve as a host for encrusting organisms, and as a food source, safe haven and nursery for fish, shrimp, lobster and many other species of marine life. Seagrasses are a valuable part of South Florida's marine environment, but they are disappearing at an alarming rate.