Entorno marino

Lena A. Donnarumma, Joseph Henry, Joshua Patterson, Shelly Krueger, Lisa Krimsky, and Shirley Baker

Approximately 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere has been absorbed by the world’s oceans. As CO2 emissions increase due to human activities so does the amount of CO2 absorbed by the oceans. Carbon dioxide lowers the pH of the ocean system, causing ocean acidification (OA). The effects of OA on economically and ecologically important aquatic species is a subject of interest. Sponges are important reef-associated species that provide shelter for fish and crustaceans in reef habitats and can also structure ecosystems through bioerosion, water filtration, and colonization of coral reef areas. This publication considers the effects of OA on marine sponges, with a focus on Florida’s coral reef.  

Ashley R. Smyth, H. Dail Laughinghouse, Laura K. Reynolds, Edward V. Camp, and Karl Havens

Florida’s economically important estuaries could be heavily impacted by sea-level rise and altered river flow, both caused by climate change. The resulting higher salinity, or saltiness of the water, could harm plants and animals, alter fish, and bird habitat, and reduce the capacity of estuaries to provide such important services as seafood production and the protection of shorelines from erosion. This publication contains information for stakeholders, students, scientists, and environmental agencies interested in understanding how changes in salinity impact Florida’s estuaries.

Alexandra L. Bijak, Ashley R. Smyth, Savanna C. Barry, and Laura K. Reynolds

Vegetated coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses, store large amounts of carbon in plant biomass and underlying sediments, known as blue carbon. There is increasing interest among policymakers and natural resource managers in quantifying and monetizing the carbon stored in blue carbon ecosystems. However, carbon cycling in the marine and coastal environment is complex. This complexity and the logistical issues in accurately measuring blue carbon limit our ability to manage and restore blue carbon ecosystems as nature-based tools for climate change mitigation. This publication provides a general introduction to the processes that affect net carbon storage in blue carbon habitats and addresses implications for natural resource managers interested in quantifying net carbon storage.

Michael T. Olexa and Christopher Hill

Circular 1139, a multi-part handbook by Michael T. Olexa and Ian Goldfarb, helps Floridians recognize which agricultural and household activities may involve solid and hazardous wastes. It also provides an introduction to the agencies and statutes that govern solid and hazardous waste disposal. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics,  December 2013.