Mangroves of Biscayne Bay
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Material Information

Title:
Mangroves of Biscayne Bay a study of the mangrove communities along the mainland in Coral Gables and south to U.S. Highway 1 in Dade County, Florida
Alternate title:
Mangrove communities along the mainland in Coral Gables and south of U.S. highway 1 in Dade County, Florida
Creator:
Teas, Howard J. (Howard Jones) 1920-
Metropolitan Dade County (Fla.). Board of County Commissioners ( contributor )
Donor:
W.T. Muir
Place of Publication:
Miami, Florida
Publisher:
Dade County Department of Public Works
Publication Date:
Language:
English
Physical Description:
107 pages illustrations (1 folded) 28 cm

Notes

Scope and Content:
TABLE OF CONTENT: SUMMARY p. 1; INTRODUCTION: Background p. 2; Mangroves p. 4; Mangrove detritus food chain p. 10; Tides of Biscayne Bay p. 11; METHODS: Sampling areas and stations p. 13; Leaf crop estimates p. 13; Litter pans and litter production p. 22; Leaf degradation bags p. 26; Soils p. 27; Elevations p. 29; Estimation of areas of mangrove community types p. 30; COMMUNITIES: Zonation p. 35; Community types along Biscayne Bay p. 36; Coastal Band p. 37; Dense Scrub p. 38; Sparse Scrub p. 44; Black Marsh p. 46; White and Mixed p. 47; MANGROVE ROLE IN PRODUCTIVITY OF BISCAYNE BAY: Photosynthesis and productivity p. 50; Litter production by mangroves p. 54; Litter decay p.56; The detritus cycle p. 63; Efficiency of the detritus cycle p. 68; Mineral nutrients and mangroves p. 69; Productivity of Biscayne Bay's mangroves p. 75; Productivity of seagrasses of Biscayne Bay p. 80; EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF MANGROVES: Evaluation of mangrove communities p. 82; Management p. 83; Health of Dade County's mangrove p. 85; DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS p. 91; THE BULKHEAD LINE: Alternatives for setting the bulkhead line p. 96; Role of recent legislation p. 99; Comments p. 100; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS p. 100; REFERENCES p. 101; APPENDIX A Aerial photograph, inside back cover
Summary:
The mangroves along Biscayne Bay from Coral Gables to the Monroe County line have been classified into major types of communities and their productivity estimated. Five communities were distinguished: Coastal Band, Dense Scrub, Sparse Scrub, White & Mixed and Black Marsh. These produced plant litter at rates of from about 0.5 to 3.9 tons per acre per year. The Coastal Band of mature mangroves along the shore is most productive, the dwarfed Sparse Scrub the least productive on an acre basis. Areas of each of the five communities was determined by analyzing aerial photographs. Ninety-nine sections of land along Biscayne Bay and the insides of the offshore islands in the study areas have significant stands of mangroves, the total area of which was estimated to be 19,456 acres. The litter (leaves, twigs, wood, fruits, etc.) that can enter the detritus cycle from these mangroves is about 37,000 tons per year. The calculated production of material from the seagrasses of the same part of Biscayne Bay is 248,000 tons, almost 7 times as much as the total from mangroves. Historical, legal and biological aspects of the bulkhead line were evaluated. It was concluded that the mean high tide line is the most appropriate location of the bulkhead line along Biscayne Bay.
General Note:
"August, 1974."
General Note:
Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-107).
Statement of Responsibility:
carried out for the Metropolitan Dade County Commission ; by Howard J. Teas.

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
Rights Management:
Please contact the owning institution for licensing and permissions. It is the users responsibility to ensure use does not violate any third party rights.
Resource Identifier:
FI04121501
D 1007/2:M36/1974 ( aleph )
1906117 ( oclc )