UF/IFAS researchers discovered that bacterial blotch in white button mushrooms is caused by a complex of multiple bacteria, not a single pathogen as previously believed. The disease significantly impacts mushroom growers by reducing yields, shortening shelf life and making crops unsellable due to visible blemishes. The findings are expected to support better diagnostics and more [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_64103" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-64103" style="width: 503px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-64103 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="(L-R) Doctoral student Sameerika Mudiyanselage and her advisor Samuel Martins test mushrooms with bacterial blotch symptoms in a mushroom farm in the southern United States. Photo credit: UF/IFAS Samuel Martins " width="503" height="320" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2026/04/IMG_8892-300x191.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-64103" class="wp-caption-text">(L-R) Doctoral student Sameerika Mudiyanselage and her advisor Samuel Martins test mushrooms with bacterial blotch symptoms in a mushroom farm in the southern United States. Photo credit: UF/IFAS Samuel Martins</figcaption></figure>
<ul>
<li>UF/IFAS researchers discovered that bacterial blotch in white button mushrooms is caused by a complex of multiple bacteria, not a single pathogen as previously believed.</li>
<li>The disease significantly impacts mushroom growers by reducing yields, shortening shelf life and making crops unsellable due to visible blemishes.</li>
<li>The findings are expected to support better diagnostics and more effective, sustainable treatments, helping strengthen mushroom production nationwide.</li>
</ul>
A <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944501326000960">University of Florida study</a> has made a key discovery in understanding a disease that for over a century has plagued the white button mushroom &#8212; a <a href="https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/1999629/nutrients">nutrient-dense vegetable</a> that is valued for its versatility and health benefits.
As an economically important specialty crop, it is often highlighted as a practical example of the “food is medicine” concept by showing how the kitchen staple commonly used in appetizers, salads and everyday foods can support healthy diets.
However, bacterial blotch, a persistent disease in the United States that reduces yield, shortens shelf life and lowers marketability of the white button mushroom, continues to challenge growers by causing brown or yellow blemishes that make mushrooms unsellable. In some cases, the symptoms do not appear until the mushrooms have reached grocery stores or consumers’ homes.
New research findings by UF scientists at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) uncovered that bacterial blotch is not caused by a single disease-causing bacteria or pathogen as originally learned, but by a complex of pathogenic bacterial species that thrive in the indoor controlled, humid environments where they are grown.
To learn more about this research, select <a href="https://news.ufl.edu/2026/05/mushroom-discovery/">this UF News link</a>.
<h3><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2026/05/05/analisis-de-adn-revela-el-origen-oculto-bajo-el-sombrero-del-hongo-que-esta-afectando-a-la-industria-del-champinon-blanco/">Para accesar a esta comunicación en español, por favor utilice este enlace.</a></h3>
&nbsp;
[altmetric doi= &#8220;doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2026.128532&#8221; details=&#8221;right]
<h4></h4>
###
By Lourdes Mederos, <a href="mailto:rodriguezl@ufl.edu">rodriguezl@ufl.edu</a>
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>
&nbsp;
WHY FOOD IS OUR MIDDLE NAME 
Feeding a hungry world takes effort. Nearly everything we do comes back to food: from growing it and getting it to consumers, to conserving natural resources and supporting agricultural efforts. Explore all the reasons why at <a href="https://ifas.ufl.edu/food/">ifas.ufl.edu/food</a> or follow <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FoodIsOurMiddleName&amp;src=typed_query">#FoodIsOurMiddleName</a>.

(L-R) Doctoral student Sameerika Mudiyanselage and her advisor Samuel Martins test mushrooms with bacterial blotch symptoms in a mushroom farm in the southern United States. Photo credit: UF/IFAS Samuel Martins

UF/IFAS researchers discovered that bacterial blotch in white button mushrooms is caused by a complex of multiple bacteria, not a single pathogen as previously believed.
The disease significantly impacts mushroom growers by reducing yields, shortening shelf life and making crops unsellable due to visible blemishes.
The findings are expected to support better diagnostics and more effective, sustainable treatments, helping strengthen mushroom production nationwide.
A University of Florida study has made a key discovery in understanding a disease that for over a century has plagued the white button mushroom — a nutrient-dense vegetable that is valued for its versatility and health benefits.
As an economically important specialty crop, it is often highlighted as a practical example of the “food is medicine” concept by showing how the kitchen staple commonly used in appetizers, salads and everyday foods can support healthy diets.
However, bacterial blotch, a persistent disease in the United States that reduces yield, shortens shelf life and lowers marketability of the white button mushroom, continues to challenge growers by causing brown or yellow blemishes that make mushrooms unsellable. In some cases, the symptoms do not appear until the mushrooms have reached grocery stores or consumers’ homes.
New research findings by UF scientists at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) uncovered that bacterial blotch is not caused by a single disease-causing bacteria or pathogen as originally learned, but by a complex of pathogenic bacterial species that thrive in the indoor controlled, humid environments where they are grown.
To learn more about this research, select this UF News link.
Para accesar a esta comunicación en español, por favor utilice este enlace.
 
[altmetric doi= “doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2026.128532” details=”right]

###
By Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS
 
WHY FOOD IS OUR MIDDLE NAME
Feeding a hungry world takes effort. Nearly everything we do comes back to food: from growing it and getting it to consumers, to conserving natural resources and supporting agricultural efforts. Explore all the reasons why at ifas.ufl.edu/food or follow #FoodIsOurMiddleName.

UF/IFAS researchers discovered that bacterial blotch in white button mushrooms is caused by a complex of multiple bacteria, not a single pathogen as previously believed. The disease significantly impacts mushroom growers by reducing yields, shortening shelf life and making crops unsellable due to visible blemishes. The findings are expected to support better diagnostics and more […]

DNA analyses uncover what is hiding under the cap plaguing the white button mushroom industry

Recap of January 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector In this month, we explored the fascinating, and sometimes frustrating, world of plant pathogens. Simply put, a pathogen is any organism that causes disease. For plants, these culprits can include fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and more. When diagnosing plant health issues, it’s important to distinguish [&#8230;]

<h1>Recap of January 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector</h1>
In this month, we explored the fascinating, and sometimes frustrating, world of plant pathogens. Simply put, a pathogen is any organism that causes disease. For plants, these culprits can include fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and more.
When diagnosing plant health issues, it’s important to distinguish between signs and symptoms. Symptoms are the plant’s response to the disease, such as yellowing leaves, necrotic spots, wilting, or dieback. Signs are the physical evidence of the pathogen itself. This includes things like fungal spores, fruiting bodies, or bacterial ooze. Fungi are multicellular or unicellular organisms that reproduce by spores and often cause diseases like rots, wilts, and blights. Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that multiply rapidly and often enter plants through wounds or natural openings, causing issues like leaf spots and wilts. Viruses are much smaller than fungi or bacteria and require a living host to reproduce. They typically spread through insect vectors or mechanical damage and cause systemic symptoms like mosaic patterns or stunted growth. Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that live in soil and feed on plant roots, leading to root galls, stunting, and reduced nutrient uptake.
While the pathogen (aka the fungi, bacteria, virus, etc.) is the cause, the disease is the effect. Plant diseases are the way the plant suffers as a result. During the webinar, we highlighted several impactful plant pathogens and diseases, including Boxwood blight, sudden oak death, citrus greening, Ralstonia solanacearum R3B2, lethal bronzing, lethal yellowing, rose rosette virus, citrus yellow vein clearing virus, and red ring disease. These diseases have caused significant challenges for agriculture and horticulture industries. Fortunately, some of the most concerning pathogens like red ring nematode, Ralstonia solanacearum R3B2, Phytophthora ramorum, and citrus yellow vein clearing virus are not currently found in Florida.
Diagnosing plant pathogens isn’t always straightforward. Many require laboratory testing for confirmation. If you notice unusual symptoms, especially something unfamiliar, don’t guess! Contact your local county Extension office. They can guide you through sample submission and provide accurate identification and management recommendations.
<h2>Resources on invasive plant pathogens</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/pramorum">USDA-APHIS Sudden Oak Death Info</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-and-disease-programs/pests-and-diseases/plant-disease/sa_ralstonia/ct_ralstonia">USDA-APHIS Ralstonia Info</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/citrus_greening">UF ASK IFAS Citrus Greening Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP317">UF Ask IFAS Rose Rosette Virus</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP163">UF Ask IFAS Lethal Bronzing Disease</a></li>
<li><a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP146">UF Ask IFAS Lethal Yellowing Disease</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/84595/file/Pest-Alert-Rose%20rosette-virus-mite02121.pdf">FDACS Pest Alert Rose Rosette Virus Mite</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/104334/file/citrus-yellow-vein-clearing-virus-1982.pdf">FDACS Pest Alert Citrus Yellow Vein Clearing Virus</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Diagnostic Services at UF</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/plant-diagnostic-center/">UF IFAS Plant Diagnostics Clinic</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.bahderlab.com/copy-of-services-1">UF Fort Lauderdale REC, Dr. Brian Bahder’s lab,</a> Diagnostic testing for lethal bronzing and lethal yellowing on palms</li>
<li style="list-style-type: none"></li>
</ul>
<h1>Want to watch the recording?</h1>
<iframe title="January 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector: Invasive Plant Pathogens" width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FVVBmDyIVMM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<h1>What is the upcoming schedule?</h1>
We are meeting online via Zoom from 12:00PM-1:00PM on the First Friday of every month from Sept 2022-Aug 2026. Maybe longer too! Please visit <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/seminoleco/2025/06/30/first-fridays-with-ffd-26/">this blog</a> for registration information and the upcoming schedule for Sept. 2025-2026.
<h1>Questions?</h1>
Contact Dr. Morgan Pinkerton, <a href="mailto:morgan0402@ufl.edu">morgan0402@ufl.edu</a>
Or
Visit the <a href="http://www.flfirstdetector.com/">Florida First Detector Website</a>

Recap of January 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector
In this month, we explored the fascinating, and sometimes frustrating, world of plant pathogens. Simply put, a pathogen is any organism that causes disease. For plants, these culprits can include fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and more.
When diagnosing plant health issues, it’s important to distinguish between signs and symptoms. Symptoms are the plant’s response to the disease, such as yellowing leaves, necrotic spots, wilting, or dieback. Signs are the physical evidence of the pathogen itself. This includes things like fungal spores, fruiting bodies, or bacterial ooze. Fungi are multicellular or unicellular organisms that reproduce by spores and often cause diseases like rots, wilts, and blights. Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that multiply rapidly and often enter plants through wounds or natural openings, causing issues like leaf spots and wilts. Viruses are much smaller than fungi or bacteria and require a living host to reproduce. They typically spread through insect vectors or mechanical damage and cause systemic symptoms like mosaic patterns or stunted growth. Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that live in soil and feed on plant roots, leading to root galls, stunting, and reduced nutrient uptake.
While the pathogen (aka the fungi, bacteria, virus, etc.) is the cause, the disease is the effect. Plant diseases are the way the plant suffers as a result. During the webinar, we highlighted several impactful plant pathogens and diseases, including Boxwood blight, sudden oak death, citrus greening, Ralstonia solanacearum R3B2, lethal bronzing, lethal yellowing, rose rosette virus, citrus yellow vein clearing virus, and red ring disease. These diseases have caused significant challenges for agriculture and horticulture industries. Fortunately, some of the most concerning pathogens like red ring nematode, Ralstonia solanacearum R3B2, Phytophthora ramorum, and citrus yellow vein clearing virus are not currently found in Florida.
Diagnosing plant pathogens isn’t always straightforward. Many require laboratory testing for confirmation. If you notice unusual symptoms, especially something unfamiliar, don’t guess! Contact your local county Extension office. They can guide you through sample submission and provide accurate identification and management recommendations.
Resources on invasive plant pathogens
USDA-APHIS Sudden Oak Death Info
USDA-APHIS Ralstonia Info
UF ASK IFAS Citrus Greening Resources
UF Ask IFAS Rose Rosette Virus
UF Ask IFAS Lethal Bronzing Disease
UF Ask IFAS Lethal Yellowing Disease
FDACS Pest Alert Rose Rosette Virus Mite
FDACS Pest Alert Citrus Yellow Vein Clearing Virus
Diagnostic Services at UF
UF IFAS Plant Diagnostics Clinic
UF Fort Lauderdale REC, Dr. Brian Bahder’s lab, Diagnostic testing for lethal bronzing and lethal yellowing on palms


Want to watch the recording?

What is the upcoming schedule?
We are meeting online via Zoom from 12:00PM-1:00PM on the First Friday of every month from Sept 2022-Aug 2026. Maybe longer too! Please visit this blog for registration information and the upcoming schedule for Sept. 2025-2026.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Morgan Pinkerton, morgan0402@ufl.edu
Or
Visit the Florida First Detector Website

Recap of January 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector In this month, we explored the fascinating, and sometimes frustrating, world of plant pathogens. Simply put, a pathogen is any organism that causes disease. For plants, these culprits can include fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and more. When diagnosing plant health issues, it’s important to distinguish […]

January 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector

Hidden beneath South Florida’s waves, sponges quietly clean the waters by filtering out nutrients, supporting seagrass and sustaining the region’s vibrant marine life. But after years of environmental stress and water quality decline, these essential organisms are struggling to survive. Now, a team of scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_57321" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-57321" style="width: 361px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-57321 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="This is a three-year old Sheepswool sponge that has been successfully restored by the same technique being used for this project.&lt;br /&gt;Photo by: Shelly Krueger" width="361" height="271" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2025/10/SHEEPSWOOL-NOTE-LARGE-CHIMNEY-LIKE-OSCULA-300x225.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-57321" class="wp-caption-text">This is a three-year old Sheepswool sponge that has been successfully restored by the same technique being used for this project. Photo by: Shelly Krueger</figcaption></figure>
Hidden beneath South Florida’s waves, sponges quietly clean the waters by filtering out nutrients, supporting seagrass and sustaining the region’s vibrant marine life.
But after years of environmental stress and water quality decline, these essential organisms are struggling to survive. Now, a team of scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is leading the charge to help restore these filter feeders.
Supported by a nearly $750,000 <a href="https://www.highergov.com/grant/05D37025/">grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a>, a three-year project is taking shape led by principal investigator <a href="https://trec.ifas.ufl.edu/people/ashley-smyth/">Ashley Smyth</a>, an associate professor of soil, water and ecosystem sciences at the <a href="https://trec.ifas.ufl.edu/">UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center</a> and <a href="https://www.flseagrant.org/">Florida Sea Grant</a> agents <a href="https://www.flseagrant.org/fsg-directory/shelly-krueger/">Shelly Krueger</a> at <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/monroe/">UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County</a> and <a href="https://www.flseagrant.org/fsg-directory/ana-zangroniz/">Ana Zangroniz</a> at <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/miami-dade/">UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County</a>.
“Sponges are often overlooked, but they’re incredibly important — and incredibly beautiful,” said Smyth. “They filter vast amounts of water, provide shelter for marine life and support water quality. Restoring them helps restore entire ecosystems.”
<figure id="attachment_57323" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-57323" style="width: 356px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-57323 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Ana Zangroniz places her slate with sponge ID sheet next to a loggerhead and a vase sponge.Photo by: Ana Zangroniz" width="356" height="267" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2025/10/MICR5086-300x225.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-57323" class="wp-caption-text">Ana Zangroniz places her slate with sponge ID sheet next to a loggerhead and a vase sponge. Photo by: Ana Zangroniz</figcaption></figure>
Working in partnership with Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, the team will test successful sponge restoration techniques currently used in other areas of Southeast Florida. Throughout the project, researchers will restore at least 1,500 sponges in a permitted nursery in the Lower Keys and 1,000 sponges at a pilot restoration site in Biscayne Bay.
“Sponges are nature’s water filters. They play an essential role in maintaining water clarity and supporting coastal health by cleaning the water, providing habitat for other organisms and helping to cycle nutrients,” said Smyth. “Through this project, we aim to restore not only sponge populations but also the ecological services and water quality benefits they provide to South Florida’s coastal environments.”
Sponges are very difficult to identify. In the nearshore waters of South Florida, most sponges lack the bright dazzling colors and glamour of the more recognizable coral reef-associated species. Instead, the shallow-water sponges tend to be black and round with only minor differences to tell them apart, Krueger said.
“For this reason, this new research will advance the identification of these important animals for the purposes of common names and scientific identification,” she said. “In the past, the family trees of most animals were based on common morphology, but today’s genetic advances are revealing many secrets they’ve long concealed.”
Resolving the classifications of sponge restoration species will ensure consistent scientific identification across projects statewide. Krueger brings extensive experience from her <a href="https://cfw.essie.ufl.edu/2025/01/27/shallow-water-sponge-restoration-aquaculture-in-the-florida-keys/">Florida Keys aquaculture research</a>, where she’s worked on sponge restoration aquaculture while studying sponge reproduction, growth and the ecosystem services they provide to filter and improve water quality. Sponges filter algae, viruses and bacteria from the water column, which is their food source.
Zangroniz will lead the establishment of the Biscayne Bay pilot nursery, assist with public outreach and engagement efforts. She will help the public understand how sponges contribute to cleaner water and healthier bays. Together, the team aims to develop a unified framework for sponge restoration aquaculture across South Florida.
<figure id="attachment_57337" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-57337" style="width: 459px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-57337 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Shelly Krueger monitors a new sponge propagule in a nursery at a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site." width="459" height="344" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2025/10/P7260165-300x225.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-57337" class="wp-caption-text">Shelly Krueger monitors a new sponge propagule in a nursery at a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site.</figcaption></figure>
“I’m excited to expand best practices for sponge restoration aquaculture into Biscayne National Park. This project will help continue the mission of the National Park Service to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources, unimpaired, for this and future generations,” said Zangroniz.
By combining scientific research with hands-on restoration and community collaboration, the team hopes to turn the tide for Florida’s coastal habitat, reviving both their function and their natural beauty.
&nbsp;
###
By Lourdes Mederos, <a href="mailto:rodriguezl@ufl.edu">rodriguezl@ufl.edu</a>
<a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2025/10/22/epa-otorga-una-subvencion-a-los-cientificos-de-uf-ifas-para-apoyar-la-restauracion-de-esponjas-marinas-y-la-mejora-de-la-calidad-del-agua-en-el-sur-de-florida/">Para acessar a esta comunicación en español, por favor utilice este enlace. </a>
&nbsp;
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>
&nbsp;
ABOUT FLORIDA SEA GRANT
Florida Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in coastal and Great Lakes states that encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach, and technology transfer. The program is hosted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). In addition to NOAA and UF/IFAS, the program is a partnership between Florida universities and county governments.
<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fflseagrant.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Crodriguezl%40ufl.edu%7C3bdb2aef2ccb4b76bb4008dd0987d35e%7C0d4da0f84a314d76ace60a62331e1b84%7C0%7C0%7C638677201168453814%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=XKEtSqxkLrsZPkpV49ythtBdWHeqjJ3lqWK9N5wmUxM%3D&amp;reserved=0">Flseagrant.org</a>  |  <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Ffloridaseagrant&amp;data=05%7C02%7Crodriguezl%40ufl.edu%7C3bdb2aef2ccb4b76bb4008dd0987d35e%7C0d4da0f84a314d76ace60a62331e1b84%7C0%7C0%7C638677201168494558%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=HvcIxfG%2BYGyIjg9Sx2lODcNaMJq%2B54QsxJmc2uDE9ks%3D&amp;reserved=0">@FloridaSeaGrant</a>

This is a three-year old Sheepswool sponge that has been successfully restored by the same technique being used for this project.
Photo by: Shelly Krueger
Hidden beneath South Florida’s waves, sponges quietly clean the waters by filtering out nutrients, supporting seagrass and sustaining the region’s vibrant marine life.
But after years of environmental stress and water quality decline, these essential organisms are struggling to survive. Now, a team of scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is leading the charge to help restore these filter feeders.
Supported by a nearly $750,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a three-year project is taking shape led by principal investigator Ashley Smyth, an associate professor of soil, water and ecosystem sciences at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center and Florida Sea Grant agents Shelly Krueger at UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County and Ana Zangroniz at UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County.
“Sponges are often overlooked, but they’re incredibly important — and incredibly beautiful,” said Smyth. “They filter vast amounts of water, provide shelter for marine life and support water quality. Restoring them helps restore entire ecosystems.”
Ana Zangroniz places her slate with sponge ID sheet next to a loggerhead and a vase sponge. Photo by: Ana Zangroniz
Working in partnership with Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, the team will test successful sponge restoration techniques currently used in other areas of Southeast Florida. Throughout the project, researchers will restore at least 1,500 sponges in a permitted nursery in the Lower Keys and 1,000 sponges at a pilot restoration site in Biscayne Bay.
“Sponges are nature’s water filters. They play an essential role in maintaining water clarity and supporting coastal health by cleaning the water, providing habitat for other organisms and helping to cycle nutrients,” said Smyth. “Through this project, we aim to restore not only sponge populations but also the ecological services and water quality benefits they provide to South Florida’s coastal environments.”
Sponges are very difficult to identify. In the nearshore waters of South Florida, most sponges lack the bright dazzling colors and glamour of the more recognizable coral reef-associated species. Instead, the shallow-water sponges tend to be black and round with only minor differences to tell them apart, Krueger said.
“For this reason, this new research will advance the identification of these important animals for the purposes of common names and scientific identification,” she said. “In the past, the family trees of most animals were based on common morphology, but today’s genetic advances are revealing many secrets they’ve long concealed.”
Resolving the classifications of sponge restoration species will ensure consistent scientific identification across projects statewide. Krueger brings extensive experience from her Florida Keys aquaculture research, where she’s worked on sponge restoration aquaculture while studying sponge reproduction, growth and the ecosystem services they provide to filter and improve water quality. Sponges filter algae, viruses and bacteria from the water column, which is their food source.
Zangroniz will lead the establishment of the Biscayne Bay pilot nursery, assist with public outreach and engagement efforts. She will help the public understand how sponges contribute to cleaner water and healthier bays. Together, the team aims to develop a unified framework for sponge restoration aquaculture across South Florida.
Shelly Krueger monitors a new sponge propagule in a nursery at a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site.
“I’m excited to expand best practices for sponge restoration aquaculture into Biscayne National Park. This project will help continue the mission of the National Park Service to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources, unimpaired, for this and future generations,” said Zangroniz.
By combining scientific research with hands-on restoration and community collaboration, the team hopes to turn the tide for Florida’s coastal habitat, reviving both their function and their natural beauty.
 
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By Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu
Para acessar a esta comunicación en español, por favor utilice este enlace. 
 
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS
 
ABOUT FLORIDA SEA GRANT
Florida Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in coastal and Great Lakes states that encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach, and technology transfer. The program is hosted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). In addition to NOAA and UF/IFAS, the program is a partnership between Florida universities and county governments.
Flseagrant.org  |  @FloridaSeaGrant

Hidden beneath South Florida’s waves, sponges quietly clean the waters by filtering out nutrients, supporting seagrass and sustaining the region’s vibrant marine life. But after years of environmental stress and water quality decline, these essential organisms are struggling to survive. Now, a team of scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural […]

EPA grant to help UF/IFAS scientists restore sea sponges, improve water quality in South Florida

Organisms

Organismos

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By Thares2020 via Adobe Stock. Generated with AI.

Microorganisms, viruses and parasites that can cause disease.

Pathogens

Patógenos 

Jones, Jeffrey B.

Bacteria

Bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli)

E. Coli

Escherichia Coli

Ralstonia solanacearum

Vibrio is a genus of bacteria that lives in warm seawater and can cause foodborne infection.

Vibrio es un g&eacute;nero de bacteria que vive en aguas marinas tibias y puede causar infecciones alimenticias.
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Vibrio

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Illustrator: Jennifer Oosthuizen, 2016 public domain CDC Image #21921 from the Public Health Imagery Library (PHIL)[1]







References

1. Oosthuizen, J. 2016. “PHIL 21921.” A three-dimensional (3D), computer-generated image of a number of oblong-shaped, Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria. https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=21921. This image is in the public domain and thus free of any copyright restrictions.

Bacteria

Narrower Topics

Bacterial Diseases of Plants