Oil spills and other contaminants can stress biologic life, sometimes affecting mutation rates and reproductive parameters that can affect fitness (ability to survive and reproduce). The sensitivity of red mangrove to historic stress events was determined by comparing the frequency of trees producing albino propagules in previously-contaminated and uncontaminated forests in Tampa Bay.

Contaminated sites demonstrated higher rates of mutations than uncontaminated sites. Collecting data on mutation rates for a number of mangrove forests within an estuary is important because it provides background data that can be used as a metric by which to gauge recovery from a pollution event or to assess future environmental change.

Characterization of Tidal Wetlands (USGS Open-File Report 2005-1174, April 2005)

1950's Habitat Data for Tampa Bay, Florida (Spatial Data)

Habitat Data for Tampa Bay, Florida, USA, in 1952 (Spatial Data)

Habitat Data for Tampa Bay, Florida, USA, in 1982 (Spatial Data)

Tampa Bay Integrated Science Pilot Study: Wetlands Characterization (Open-File Report 01-390) (pdf)

Proffitt, E.C. and S.E. Travis. 2005. Albino mutation rates in red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle L.) as a bioassay of contamination history in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. Wetlands 25: 326-334. (Abstract)

Proffitt, C. E., E. Milbrandt, and S. E. Travis. 2006. Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) reproduction and seedling colonization after Hurricane Charley: comparisons of Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay. Estuaries and Coasts 29:972-978.