Seagrass Life
Seagrass life:
Bacteria and Fungi
Bacteria and fungi are responsible for the decomposition of dead seagrass blades. Microfauna
and meiofauna colonize the dead seagrass blades, feeding on the bacteria and fungi as well as
on the dissolved organic matter released from the decomposing blades. These dissolved
organics also support phytoplankton and zooplankton which in turn provide prey for organisms
further up the food web.
Algae
Lacking a firm substrate for attachment, seagrass beds contain benthic macroalgae attached to
sediments, rocky outcroppings, and the seagrasses themselves. Calcareous algae lives among
the seagrasses, producing calcium carbonate which eventually becomes incorporated into the
surrounding sediments. Drift algae form large unattached masses along the sea bottom and drift
about with any water movement.
Red algae and brown algae are also common within seagrass habitats. In addition to calcareous
algae, the majority of drifting algal masses are species of red algae.
Epiphytic algae
Seagrasses dramatically increase the surface area of the habitat for the attachment of epiphytes.
On turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) alone, over 100 species of epiphytic algae have been
documented. Epiphytes cover seagrass blades more at the tips than toward the bases in order to
receive more sunlight than those lower on the blade. These epiphytes reduce seagrass growth
due to shading. Epiphytes, along with the seagrass blades, eventually become part of the detritus.
Invertebrates
Invertebrate fauna living in seagrass habitats represents a diverse group. Seagrasses provide a
rich source of food for invertebrates, primarily in the form of epiphytes.
Epibenthic organisms reside on the surface of the bottom sediments. Some epibenthic
invertebrates feed on both the epiphytes living on the seagrass blades as well as the blades
themselves, such as the queen conch (Strombus gigas). Other epibenthic species, including the
Bahamian starfish (Oreaster reticulatus) and various gastropods, feed on infaunal organisms
found living within the sediments. Feeding on detritus, epiphytes, and seagrass blades are
various sea urchins that move from nearby reefs to feed in the seagrasses at night. Another
echinoderm, the sea cucumber (Holothuria floridana), moves slowly along the surface of the
sediments ingesting sand grains and algae. Pink shrimp (Paneaus duorarum) and juvenile spiny
lobsters (Panulirus argus) find refuge among the blades of seagrasses.
Epiphytic organisms, dominated by gastropods, are common throughout turtle and shoal grass
habitats. These include anemones, bryozoans, and sponges, suspension feeders that live
attached to the blades of seagrass. Without the dramatic increase in surface area provided by the
seagrasses, the diversity of epiphytic organisms would be much lower.
Throughout shallow turtle grass communities, small patches of stony corals are common. As
water depth increases, sponges become more common and may be found growing among the
seagrasses or attached to dead coral skeletons.
Although not obvious, infauna communities thrive within the sediments of seagrass beds. The
rigid pen shell (Atrina rigida), along with many other bivalve molluscs, is a common filter feeder
found within the sediments of many seagrass beds.
Fishes
Seagrass beds provide nursery areas and feeding grounds for many species of fish, including
those of commercial and sportfishing value. These habitats are also the home to many resident
species.
Year-round residents are typically small in size and cryptic. The emerald clingfish (Acyrtops
beryllina) is a tiny epiphytic fish only found associated with turtle grass. Common year-round
resident fish of south Florida seagrass habitats include the pipefishes (Syngnatus spp.),
seahorses (Hippocampus spp.), and the inshore lizardfish (Synodus foetens). Parrotfish
(Sparisoma spp.) reside in the clear waters of the Florida Keys, feeding directly on blades of
seagrass. Sharptail eels (Myrichthys breviceps) and young moray eels (Gymnothorax spp.) forage
in seagrass beds for mollusks and other prey.
Seasonal residents are fishes that spend part of their life cycle in seagrass beds, mainly as a
nursery area for spawning and/or juvenile development. The spotted seatrout (Cynoscion
nebulosus) and silver perch (Bairdiella chrysura) are among seasonal residents that are
common as juveniles in seagrasses. Other seasonal species include pigfish (Orthopristis
chrysoptera), blue-striped grunt (Haemulon scirus), French grunt (H. flavolineatum), ceasar grunt
(H. carbonarium) and the tomtate (H. aurolineatum).
Coral reef fishes often utilize seagrasses as nurseries. Juveniles of the ocean surgeonfish
(Acanthurus bahianus) and the doctorfish (A. chirurgus) are commonly observed residing among
seagrasses. The spotted goatfish (Pseudupeneus maculatus), yellow goatfish (Mulloidicthys
martinicus), gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis), gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus), spotted
seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), and southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) also occur as
juveniles in seagrass habitats. The bucktooth parrotfish (Sparisoma radians), redtail parrotfish (S.
chrysopterum) and the emerald parrotfish (Nicholsina usta) all reside in seagrass beds as
juveniles as well as immature adults.
A commercially valuable group of fishes, the snappers, are common throughout south Florida’s
seagrass habitats. These include the gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus), lane snapper (L.
synagris), schoolmaster (L. apodus), mutton snapper (L. analis), dog snapper (L. jocu), and
yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus).
White grunts (Haemulon plumeri) are abundant in the turtle grass beds of south Florida, while
other grunts such as the porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus) rarely occur in these habitats. Other
species of grunts are present as juveniles in these waters.
Seagrass beds of south Florida include large numbers of reef fishes when the beds are adjacent
to coral reefs. Fishes find shelter on the reef during the day, moving to seagrass beds at night to
forage. Grunts and gray snappers (Lutjanus griseus) live diurnally on the reefs and feed
nocturnally over seagrasses. Other nocturnal visitors include hardhead catfish (Arius felis), fantail
mullet (Mugil gyrans), Atlantic thread herring (Opisthonema oglinum), scaled sardine (Harengula
jaguana), silver perch (Bairdiella chrysura), and ladyfish (Elops sarus). On the other hand,
species occurring over seagrasses only during the day include jenny mojarra (Eucinostomus
gula), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), and flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus). Offshore migrants
such as nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), smalltooth sawfishes (Pristis pectinata),
southern stingrays (Dasyatis americana), and Atlantic stingrays (Dasyatis sabina) visit seagrass
habitats in search of prey.
Reptiles
Several species of sea turtles reside in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, including
the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). The main food of this sea turtle is Thalassia testudinum,
commonly referred to as turtle grass. The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) occurs in the
shallow waters of Florida Bay and the northern Florida Keys. Although it is unknown to what extent
the crocodile utilizes seagrasses, they are known to feed in these areas.
Birds
Large numbers of birds utilize seagrass beds, especially wading birds searching for food. The
three common feeding modes of birds are waders, swimmers, and plungers.
The great egret (Casmeroidus albus), reddish egret (Egretta rufescens), and little blue heron
(Egretta caerulae)are among the wading birds that frequent seagrass beds in search of food.
Double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) pursue fishes throughout the water column.
Other swimming birds include the white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and red-breasted
merganser (Mergus serrator).
Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) fly over seagrass beds in search of prey. Once a fish is
spotted, the pelican plunges into the water using its pouch-like bill to scoop its prey. Ospreys
(Pandion haliaetus) and southern bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus) seize
prey from the water surface with their talons.
Seagrasses also provide excellent foraging for large wading birds such as herons.
Mammals
Manatees (Trichechus manatus) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) feed within the
waters over seagrass habitats of Florida. Manatees are primarily tropical in distribution, however
in Florida waters, manatees are found in shallow seagrass meadows or in spring-fed warm water
rivers during the cool winter months. They feed on aquatic vegetation including seagrasses.
The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the most common marine mammal in this region,
feeding over seagrass beds, even in waters less than 3 feet (1 m) in depth. They feed primarily on
large fish, squid, and invertebrates.
- Bacteria and Fungi
- Algae
- Invertebrates
- Fishes
- Reptiles
- Birds
- Mammals
Bacteria and Fungi
Bacteria and fungi are responsible for the decomposition of dead seagrass blades. Microfauna
and meiofauna colonize the dead seagrass blades, feeding on the bacteria and fungi as well as
on the dissolved organic matter released from the decomposing blades. These dissolved
organics also support phytoplankton and zooplankton which in turn provide prey for organisms
further up the food web.
Algae
Lacking a firm substrate for attachment, seagrass beds contain benthic macroalgae attached to
sediments, rocky outcroppings, and the seagrasses themselves. Calcareous algae lives among
the seagrasses, producing calcium carbonate which eventually becomes incorporated into the
surrounding sediments. Drift algae form large unattached masses along the sea bottom and drift
about with any water movement.
Red algae and brown algae are also common within seagrass habitats. In addition to calcareous
algae, the majority of drifting algal masses are species of red algae.
Epiphytic algae
Seagrasses dramatically increase the surface area of the habitat for the attachment of epiphytes.
On turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) alone, over 100 species of epiphytic algae have been
documented. Epiphytes cover seagrass blades more at the tips than toward the bases in order to
receive more sunlight than those lower on the blade. These epiphytes reduce seagrass growth
due to shading. Epiphytes, along with the seagrass blades, eventually become part of the detritus.
Invertebrates
Invertebrate fauna living in seagrass habitats represents a diverse group. Seagrasses provide a
rich source of food for invertebrates, primarily in the form of epiphytes.
Epibenthic organisms reside on the surface of the bottom sediments. Some epibenthic
invertebrates feed on both the epiphytes living on the seagrass blades as well as the blades
themselves, such as the queen conch (Strombus gigas). Other epibenthic species, including the
Bahamian starfish (Oreaster reticulatus) and various gastropods, feed on infaunal organisms
found living within the sediments. Feeding on detritus, epiphytes, and seagrass blades are
various sea urchins that move from nearby reefs to feed in the seagrasses at night. Another
echinoderm, the sea cucumber (Holothuria floridana), moves slowly along the surface of the
sediments ingesting sand grains and algae. Pink shrimp (Paneaus duorarum) and juvenile spiny
lobsters (Panulirus argus) find refuge among the blades of seagrasses.
Epiphytic organisms, dominated by gastropods, are common throughout turtle and shoal grass
habitats. These include anemones, bryozoans, and sponges, suspension feeders that live
attached to the blades of seagrass. Without the dramatic increase in surface area provided by the
seagrasses, the diversity of epiphytic organisms would be much lower.
Throughout shallow turtle grass communities, small patches of stony corals are common. As
water depth increases, sponges become more common and may be found growing among the
seagrasses or attached to dead coral skeletons.
Although not obvious, infauna communities thrive within the sediments of seagrass beds. The
rigid pen shell (Atrina rigida), along with many other bivalve molluscs, is a common filter feeder
found within the sediments of many seagrass beds.
Fishes
Seagrass beds provide nursery areas and feeding grounds for many species of fish, including
those of commercial and sportfishing value. These habitats are also the home to many resident
species.
Year-round residents are typically small in size and cryptic. The emerald clingfish (Acyrtops
beryllina) is a tiny epiphytic fish only found associated with turtle grass. Common year-round
resident fish of south Florida seagrass habitats include the pipefishes (Syngnatus spp.),
seahorses (Hippocampus spp.), and the inshore lizardfish (Synodus foetens). Parrotfish
(Sparisoma spp.) reside in the clear waters of the Florida Keys, feeding directly on blades of
seagrass. Sharptail eels (Myrichthys breviceps) and young moray eels (Gymnothorax spp.) forage
in seagrass beds for mollusks and other prey.
Seasonal residents are fishes that spend part of their life cycle in seagrass beds, mainly as a
nursery area for spawning and/or juvenile development. The spotted seatrout (Cynoscion
nebulosus) and silver perch (Bairdiella chrysura) are among seasonal residents that are
common as juveniles in seagrasses. Other seasonal species include pigfish (Orthopristis
chrysoptera), blue-striped grunt (Haemulon scirus), French grunt (H. flavolineatum), ceasar grunt
(H. carbonarium) and the tomtate (H. aurolineatum).
Coral reef fishes often utilize seagrasses as nurseries. Juveniles of the ocean surgeonfish
(Acanthurus bahianus) and the doctorfish (A. chirurgus) are commonly observed residing among
seagrasses. The spotted goatfish (Pseudupeneus maculatus), yellow goatfish (Mulloidicthys
martinicus), gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis), gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus), spotted
seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), and southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) also occur as
juveniles in seagrass habitats. The bucktooth parrotfish (Sparisoma radians), redtail parrotfish (S.
chrysopterum) and the emerald parrotfish (Nicholsina usta) all reside in seagrass beds as
juveniles as well as immature adults.
A commercially valuable group of fishes, the snappers, are common throughout south Florida’s
seagrass habitats. These include the gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus), lane snapper (L.
synagris), schoolmaster (L. apodus), mutton snapper (L. analis), dog snapper (L. jocu), and
yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus).
White grunts (Haemulon plumeri) are abundant in the turtle grass beds of south Florida, while
other grunts such as the porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus) rarely occur in these habitats. Other
species of grunts are present as juveniles in these waters.
Seagrass beds of south Florida include large numbers of reef fishes when the beds are adjacent
to coral reefs. Fishes find shelter on the reef during the day, moving to seagrass beds at night to
forage. Grunts and gray snappers (Lutjanus griseus) live diurnally on the reefs and feed
nocturnally over seagrasses. Other nocturnal visitors include hardhead catfish (Arius felis), fantail
mullet (Mugil gyrans), Atlantic thread herring (Opisthonema oglinum), scaled sardine (Harengula
jaguana), silver perch (Bairdiella chrysura), and ladyfish (Elops sarus). On the other hand,
species occurring over seagrasses only during the day include jenny mojarra (Eucinostomus
gula), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), and flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus). Offshore migrants
such as nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), smalltooth sawfishes (Pristis pectinata),
southern stingrays (Dasyatis americana), and Atlantic stingrays (Dasyatis sabina) visit seagrass
habitats in search of prey.
Reptiles
Several species of sea turtles reside in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, including
the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). The main food of this sea turtle is Thalassia testudinum,
commonly referred to as turtle grass. The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) occurs in the
shallow waters of Florida Bay and the northern Florida Keys. Although it is unknown to what extent
the crocodile utilizes seagrasses, they are known to feed in these areas.
Birds
Large numbers of birds utilize seagrass beds, especially wading birds searching for food. The
three common feeding modes of birds are waders, swimmers, and plungers.
The great egret (Casmeroidus albus), reddish egret (Egretta rufescens), and little blue heron
(Egretta caerulae)are among the wading birds that frequent seagrass beds in search of food.
Double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) pursue fishes throughout the water column.
Other swimming birds include the white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and red-breasted
merganser (Mergus serrator).
Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) fly over seagrass beds in search of prey. Once a fish is
spotted, the pelican plunges into the water using its pouch-like bill to scoop its prey. Ospreys
(Pandion haliaetus) and southern bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus) seize
prey from the water surface with their talons.
Seagrasses also provide excellent foraging for large wading birds such as herons.
Mammals
Manatees (Trichechus manatus) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) feed within the
waters over seagrass habitats of Florida. Manatees are primarily tropical in distribution, however
in Florida waters, manatees are found in shallow seagrass meadows or in spring-fed warm water
rivers during the cool winter months. They feed on aquatic vegetation including seagrasses.
The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the most common marine mammal in this region,
feeding over seagrass beds, even in waters less than 3 feet (1 m) in depth. They feed primarily on
large fish, squid, and invertebrates.
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