Nitrogen-enriched discharges from a highly managed watershed intensify red tide (Karenia brevis) blooms in southwest Florida

Medina, Miles; Kaplan, D. A.; Milbrandt, Eric C.; Tomasko, Dave; Huffaker, Ray; Angelini, Christine

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154149

Cited by 49 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…HABs, categorized by toxic algae, have been detrimental to animal, human, and ecosystem health (Hallegraeff 1993 ). For example, while the blooms of the photosynthetic dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis , are naturally occurring, in recent decades, blooms are occurring more frequently, are more widespread, often with higher potency in southwest Florida (Kusek et al 1999 ; Brand and Compton 2007 ), which have been linked to anthropogenic nutrient inputs (Medina et al 2022 ), and are responsible for the widespread mortality of fish and marine mammals (Landsberg 2002 ; Flewelling et al 2005 ). Specifically, these blooms have been shown to repeatedly kill Atlantic tarpon and seriously affect the fishery (Griffin et al 2022 ).…”

Section: Compounded Anthropogenic Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cascading effects of climate change on recreational marine flats fishes and fisheries

et al. 2022

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Tropical and subtropical coastal flats are shallow regions of the marine environment at the intersection of land and sea. These regions provide myriad ecological goods and services, including recreational fisheries focused on flats-inhabiting fishes such as bonefish, tarpon, and permit. The cascading effects of climate change have the potential to negatively impact coastal flats around the globe and to reduce their ecological and economic value. In this paper, we consider how the combined effects of climate change, including extremes in temperature and precipitation regimes, sea level rise, and changes in nutrient dynamics, are causing rapid and potentially permanent changes to the structure and function of tropical and subtropical flats ecosystems. We then apply the available science on recreationally targeted fishes to reveal how these changes can cascade through layers of biological organization—from individuals, to populations, to communities—and ultimately impact the coastal systems that depend on them. We identify critical gaps in knowledge related to the extent and severity of these effects, and how such gaps influence the effectiveness of conservation, management, policy, and grassroots stewardship efforts.

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Section: Compounded Anthropogenic Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cascading effects of climate change on recreational marine flats fishes and fisheries

et al. 2022

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“…In the Caloosahatchee Estuary, low discharge levels from the S-79 provide both the time and salinity levels needed for accumulation of marine phytoplankton biomass. Blooms of A. sanguinea, and other marine taxa, are supported by the nutrient levels sustained in the upper estuary, even under comparatively low rainfall and S-79 discharges, manifesting the nutrient-enriched character of watershed inputs to the Caloosahatchee Estuary (Doering & Chamberlain, 1999;Doering et al, 2006;Medina et al, 2021Medina et al, , 2022. A. sanguinea also benefits from its mixotrophic capabilities, which allows it to acquire organic carbon and nutrients through phagotrophy (i.e., consumption of particulates) (Burkholder et al, 2008).…”

Section: Phytoplankton Blooms In the Estuarymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, rapid human development in the watershed surrounding the Caloosahatchee Estuary proper has increased the area of impervious surface cover, adding to nutrient runoff into the estuary (Doering et al, 2006). Increases in nutrient loads to the estuary and nearshore regions of southwest Florida have raised concerns about the potential for intensification of harmful algal blooms, such as the toxic red tide events that frequent the eastern Gulf of Mexico (Heil et al, 2014b;Medina et al, 2021Medina et al, , 2022.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Algal blooms in a river-dominated estuary and nearshore region of Florida, USA: the influence of regulated discharges from water control structures on hydrologic and nutrient conditions

et al. 2023

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Flow-regulated discharges of water from control structures into estuaries result in hydrologic and water chemistry conditions that impact spatial and temporal variability in the structure and biomass of phytoplankton communities, including the potential for harmful algal blooms (HABs). The relationships between regulated Caloosahatchee River (i.e., C-43 Canal) discharges and phytoplankton communities in the Caloosahatchee Estuary and adjacent nearshore regions on the southwest coast of Florida were investigated during two study periods, 2009–2010 and 2018–2019. During periods of low to moderate discharge rates, when mesohaline conditions predominated in the estuary, and water residence times were comparatively long, major blooms of the HAB dinoflagellate species Akashiwo sanguinea were observed in the estuary. Periods of high discharge were characterized by comparatively low phytoplankton biomass in the estuary and greater influence of a wide range of freshwater taxa in the upper reaches. By contrast, intense blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis in the nearshore region outside of the estuary were observed during high discharge periods in 2018–2019. The latter events were significantly associated with elevated levels of nitrogen in the estuary compared to lower average concentrations in the 2009–2010 study period. The relationships observed in this study provide insights into the importance of managing regulated discharge regimes to minimize adverse impacts of HABs on the health of the estuary and related coastal environments.

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“…For example, habitat loss and water quality declines contributed to the loss of resilience of the snook population in the northern Indian River Lagoon to a severe cold event in 2010 (Boucek et al 2023b , this issue). Similarly, the snook fishery was closed in the southwest region of the Gulf of Mexico coast of Florida due to fish mortality from red tide ( Karenia brevis ) ( https://www.news-press.com/story/news/2021/08/30/florida-snook-season-2021-wont-open-tampa-bay-areas-south-collier-county-red-tide/5649493001/ ), a harmful algal bloom that is naturally occurring but greatly enhanced by anthropogenic nutrient inputs (Medina et al 2022 ). Information on snook populations in other locations is sparse.…”

Section: Species Descriptionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, the snook population on the southwestern coast of Florida was considered vulnerable enough that the state fisheries agency closed the fishery to harvest in response to mortalities from a red tide event ( https://www.news-press.com/story/news/2021/08/30/florida-snook-season-2021-wont-open-tampa-bay-areas-south-collier-county-red-tide/5649493001/ ). Red tide events have become more frequent, spatially widespread, intense, and longer-lasting due to anthropogenic nutrient inputs (Medina et al 2022 ). Thus, although the snook fishery is so highly regulated (based on a stock assessment approach) that more than 98% of captured snook are released, habitat and water quality problems—which are not included in fishery management—have clearly impacted the ability of the fish population to respond to disturbances.…”

Section: Toward a Paradigm Shift In Flats Fishery Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation connections: incorporating connectivity into management and conservation of flats fishes and their habitats in a multi-stressor world

2023

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Coastal marine fisheries and the habitats that support them are under extensive and increasing pressures from numerous anthropogenic stressors that occur at multiple spatial and temporal scales and often intersect in unexpected ways. Frequently, the scales at which these fisheries are managed do not match the scales of the stressors, much less the geographic scale of species biology. In general, fishery management is ill prepared to address these stressors, as underscored by the continuing lack of integration of fisheries and habitat management. However, research of these fisheries is increasingly being conducted at spatial and temporal scales that incorporate biology and ecological connectivity of target species, with growing attention to the foundational role of habitat. These efforts are also increasingly engaging stakeholders and rights holders in research, education, and conservation. This multi-method approach is essential for addressing pressing conservation challenges that are common to flats ecosystems. Flats fisheries occur in the shallow, coastal habitat mosaic that supports fish species that are accessible to and desirable to target by recreational fishers. Because these species rely upon coastal habitats, the anthropogenic stressors can be especially intense—habitat alteration (loss and degradation) and water quality declines are being exacerbated by climate change and increasing direct human impacts (e.g., fishing effort, boat traffic, depredation, pollution). The connections necessary for effective flats conservation are of many modes and include ontogenetic habitat connectivity; connections between stressors and impacts to fishes; connections between research and management, such as research informing spawning area protections; and engagement of stakeholders and rights holders in research, education, and management. The articles included in this Special Issue build upon a growing literature that is filling knowledge gaps for flats fishes and their habitats and increasingly providing the evidence to inform resource management. Indeed, numerous articles in this issue propose or summarize direct application of research findings to management with a focus on current and future conservation challenges. As with many other fisheries, a revised approach to management and conservation is needed in the Anthropocene.

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Nitrogen-enriched discharges from a highly managed watershed intensify red tide (Karenia brevis) blooms in southwest Florida

Cited by 49 publications

References 61 publications

Cascading effects of climate change on recreational marine flats fishes and fisheries

Cascading effects of climate change on recreational marine flats fishes and fisheries

Algal blooms in a river-dominated estuary and nearshore region of Florida, USA: the influence of regulated discharges from water control structures on hydrologic and nutrient conditions

Conservation connections: incorporating connectivity into management and conservation of flats fishes and their habitats in a multi-stressor world

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