EDIS Update

A Multi-Disciplinary Review of Current Sea-Level Change Research in Florida (TP193/SG125)

March 1st, 2013
Topic(s):Water

Sea-level rise is an issue of paramount importance for the state of Florida due to its lengthy coastline, low relief, high coastal population density, ecologically and economically vital beaches, estuaries, and wetlands, and porous limestone geology. The rate of sea-level rise in Florida generally follows the global average (~3 mm per year) and is slowly gaining public attention as a significant threat to the natural and socioeconomic future of the state. This 18-page multi-disciplinary review provides an annotated bibliographic summary of current peer-reviewed literature regarding sea-level rise in Florida. Written by Anna Cathey Linhoss, Lisa Gardner Chambers, Kevin Wozniak, and Tom Ankersen, and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, February 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg125

Deep Problems in Shallow Lakes: Why Controlling Phosphorus Inputs May Not Restore Water Quality (SGEF198/SG128)

January 22nd, 2013
Topic(s):Water

Florida’s thousands of lakes are shallower than most people realize, and some unique properties of shallow lakes make them challenging to restore if they have been degraded by nutrients or other pollutants.This 4-page fact sheet examines how water managers track nutrients as they cycle through Florida’s lakes. Written by Karl Havens, and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg128

Effects of Climate Change on the Eutrophication of Lakes and Estuaries (SGEF189/SG127)

October 8th, 2012
Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species

Recent research suggests that climate change will reinforce the negative consequences of man-made eutrophication and make it more difficult to improve water quality in lakes and estuaries.This 3-page fact sheet was written by Karl Havens, and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg127

Guidelines and Management Practices for Artificial Reef Siting, Use, Construction, and Anchoring in Southeast Florida (TP176/SG101)

September 28th, 2012
Topic(s):Water

Coral reefs are one of southeast Florida’s most highly valued ocean resources. Despite their economic and ecological importance, they continue to face damage and destruction from human activity. “Artificial reefs” can help restore damaged coral reefs or mitigate their loss. Hundreds these natural and man-made structures have been deployed in southeast Florida coastal waters over the last 30 years. However, construction practices, design features and use patterns associated with this reef-building all have the potential to affect coral ecosystems. This 162-page guide describes artificial reef science and technology as a means of helping practitioners with varied backgrounds, skills and experience achieve responsible and sustainable reef development. Written by William Lindberg and William Seaman, and published by the UF Florida Sea Grant Program, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg101

Rethinking the Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the Eutrophication of Aquatic Ecosystems (SGEF190/SG118)

August 7th, 2012
Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species

For many years, environmental agencies have sought to improve the water quality of lakes and estuaries by reducing inputs of phosphorus. New research indicates that we must reduce both phosphorus and nitrogen to reverse eutrophication symptoms. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Karl Havens and Thomas Frazer, and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg118

Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (SGEF178/SG111)

February 29th, 2012
Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Water

Coastal and marine spatial planning can assist Florida’s residents and visitors with balancing the many uses and activities associated with our coastal and ocean resources. One example at work in Florida is the Regional Waterway Management System in southwest Florida, an objective approach to waterway planning and permitting based on mapped channel depths. Marine spatial planning has also successfully allowed shipping lanes near Boston Harbor to be reconfigured to reduce collisions with endangered North Atlantic right whales, which migrate northward to feed from their calving grounds off the Florida and Georgia coasts. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Robert A. Swett , and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, July 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg111

Common Sharks of Florida (SGEF146/SG062)

January 6th, 2012
Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Water

Florida’s shark population is diverse and includes species that range in size from only a few feet to more than 40 feet in total length. The following species are among the most common. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Florida Sea Grant, and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg062

Goliath Grouper: Giant of the Reef (SGEF179/SG103)

January 4th, 2012
Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species

Management of the goliath grouper, the largest member of the seabass family, has become an intensely debated issue in recent years. This 5-page fact sheet provides factual information on the biology and ecology of goliath grouper relevant to these issues. Written by John Stevely and Bryan Fluech and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg103

Recreational Harvesting of the Florida Bay Scallop, Citrus County (SGEF187/SG102)

August 17th, 2011
Topic(s):Recreation

Scalloping is a favorite summer pastime along the central west and northwest coasts of Florida. This publication offers a brief biology lesson on bay scallops along with everything you need to know about scalloping—legal requirements, equipment needed, how to collect and handle scallops, recipes, and information on scallop research and restoration. The brochure also includes a boat ramp and marina locator map for the Citrus County area. Written by Don Sweat and Fred Vose, and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, June 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg102

Circle Hooks (SGEF170/SG042)

May 6th, 2011
Topic(s):Water

A circle hook is a fishing hook designed and manufactured so that the point is turned perpendicularly back to the shank to form a generally circular or oval shape. The unique shape of the circle hook keeps the hook from catching in the gut cavity or throat, resulting in higher survival rates for released fish. Learn more in this 2-page fact sheet written by Don Sweat and Steve Kearl, and published by the UF Sea Grant Program, June 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg042

Catch-and-Release: Things You Can Do to Help Saltwater Fish Survive (SGEF168/SG096)

May 6th, 2011
Topic(s):Recreation, Water

This 2-page guide offers tips on how you can properly handle and release saltwater fish. This also includes new Gulf reef fishing gear requirements implemented June 1, 2008. Written by Steve Kearl and Lee Schlesinger and published by the UF Sea Grant Program, May 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg096

SGEB65/SG100 Understanding the Ecology of Artificial Reefs: No Simple Answers

March 25th, 2010
Topic(s):Aquaculture, Ecosystems & Species, Water

SGEB65, a 4-page illustrated article by Bill Lindberg and Mark Schrope, discusses the ecological impacts of artificial reefs and implications for conservation in interview format. Published by the UF Florida Sea Grant Program, March 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg100

SGEB57/SG098 Navigational, Historical and Environmental Perspective of Jupiter Inlet and the Loxahatchee River

September 21st, 2009
Topic(s):Recreation

SGEB-57, a 2-page full-color map by David A. Fann, Robert A. Swett, and Michael J. Grella, uses natural-color aerial photographs along with historic pictures and maps to help visitors and residents enjoy and appreciate what they can see and access from recreational vessels in the Jupiter Inlet vicinity. Published by the Florida Sea Grant Program, June 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SG098

SGEF175/SG094 Invasive Species of Florida’s Coastal Waters: The Asian Green Mussel (Perna viridis)

September 9th, 2009
Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Water

SGEF-175, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Maia McGuire and John Stevely, describes this non-native marine animal that has been found in numerous locations in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina — distribution, biology, habitat, impacts, and what people can do. Published by the Florida Sea Grant Program, August 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SG094

TP124/SG082 A Manual of Methods and Procedures for the Regional Waterway Management System

July 24th, 2009
Topic(s):Recreation

Revised! TP-124, a 91-page illustrated manual by Robert Swett and David Fann, details the procedures that are necessary to complete a Regional Waterway Management System for Florida’s coastal canals and other waterways. Includes references. Published by the Florida Sea Grant College Program, March 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SG082

SGEB63/SG097 Navigational, Historical, and Environmental Perspective of Charlotte County Waterways

June 15th, 2009
Topic(s):Recreation

SGEB-63, a 2-page full-color map and guide by David A. Fann, Robert A. Swett, and Elizabeth Staugler, using natural-color aerial photographs, along with historic pictures and maps to help visitors and residents enjoy and appreciate what they can see and access from recreational vessels. Published by the Florida Sea Grant Program, September 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SG097

An Assessment of Florida Boaters and their Awareness of the Clean Vessel Act and Clean Marina Program (TP151/SG069)

April 6th, 2009
Topic(s):Recreation

This revised 83-page report provides results from a study to determine boater awareness of the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) and Clean Marina Program, changes in awareness of the CVA since a 1998 assessment, and the practices and attitudes of Florida boaters. The report concludes with recommendations on how to better target future educational and outreach efforts among the general boating population. Written by Robert Swett, Susan Fann and Jan DeLaney, and published by the UF Sea Grant Program, March 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg069

TP107/SG083 A Recreational Boater-Based Method for Re-designing the NOS Small-Craft Chart

April 2nd, 2009
Topic(s):Recreation

New to EDIS! TP-107, a 145-page illustrated project report by Gustavo Antonini, Niels West, Charles Sidman, and Robert Swett, reports on a project to determine chart information which would satisfy criteria for safe, modern navigation and promote environmental stewardship. The prototype chart covers the southwest Florida coast from lower Tampa Bay to Charlotte Harbor. Published by the Florida Sea Grant Program, December 2000. Reviewed March 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SG083

SGEF139/SG084 A Recreational Boater-Based Method for Re-designing the NOS Small-Craft Chart (Executive Summary)

April 2nd, 2009
Topic(s):Water

New to EDIS! SGEF-139, a 16-page executive summary by Gustavo Antonini, Niels West, Charles Sidman, and Robert Swett, summarizes a project designed to determine the chart information needs of boaters which satisfy safe navigation and promote stewardship of coastal resources. Published by the Florida Sea Grant College Program, December 2000. Reviewed March 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SG084

SGEF169/SG095 The Biology and Fishery of Florida’s Commercial Sponges

April 1st, 2009
Topic(s):Aquaculture, Ecosystems & Species

SGEF-169, a 4-page fact sheet by John Stevely and Don Sweat, describes why study and management of sponge populations remains essential to the health of Florida’s coastal waters and discusses their potential pharmaceutical value, harvesting practices, their history, biology, and other insteresting facts. Published by the Florida Sea Grant Program, March 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SG095

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