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Tampa Bay Wetland Restoration Research Workshop By Ginger Tiling August 2003 in this issue:  previous story | next story On July 24-25, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and Pinellas County met to exchange ideas and discuss wetland-restoration issues pertaining to Tampa Bay at the Tampa Bay Wetland Restoration Research Workshop. The USGS hosted the workshop at the Weedon Island Visitors Center in St. Petersburg, FL. The goal of the workshop was twofold: to ascertain the science-information needs of land managers and to identify research questions that can be addressed by the USGS Tampa Bay Study. Workshop scientists presented summary talks on work currently underway or in active planning stages at the State of Florida's Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve and at Pinellas County's Weedon Island and Mobbly Bayou Preserves. Hydrologic changes to wetlands (ditching for mosquito control) are common to all three sites. Managers gave overviews on preserve features and management challenges. Workshop participants discussed historical perspectives and future ecological goals for wetland restoration. Open discussion led to clarification of research needs. There was a consensus that diverse baseline or prerestoration data are essential to judging the success of restoration projects at all the preserve sites. Ideally, baseline data required for each of the sites discussed would include: Surface-water characterization (stage, salinity) Ground-water influence Mosquito-ditch functionality for fish use Historical vegetation patterns pre- and post-ditching Faunal surveys for reptiles, amphibians, birds Baseline topography at select locations Participants will work in smaller, focused groups to implement the necessary monitoring and research activities. Given that the timeframe for the Terra Ceia site is immediate, work will begin first at this site and will be phased in at the other two restoration sites. Tampa Bay Study U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Environmental Management Pinellas County, FL Weedon Island Preserve Pinellas County, FL in this issue:  previous story | next story

August 2003 Mailing List: Sign up to receive monthly email updates: print this issue in this issue: cover story: Coastal Circulation Experiment Southwest Central Florida Flood Science Teachers and Curriculum Development Sea Education Association School Children Learn About Sediment WETMAAP Workshops for Teachers American Water Works Association Diversity Days Continental Shelf Limits Tampa Bay Wetland Restoration Research German-American Frontiers of Science Coastal and Marine Geology Program Knowledge Bank USGS Scientist Receives Award from Southern University Visitor from National Research Council August Publications List

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