What are some important habitats in Tampa Bay?
Mangrove forests are important because they trap and cycle pollutants and they provide shelter and nursery areas for fish, crustaceans, and shellfish. Mangroves also function as the basis of the food chain for a multitude of marine species such as snook, snapper, tarpon, jack, sheepshead, red drum, oysters, crabs and shrimp. In addition, mangrove forests protect uplands from storms, waves and floods. They are the dominant wetland vegetation type in the Tampa Bay watershed. Tampa Bay supports red, black and white mangrove species. Red mangroves grow closest to the water, followed by blacks and then whites. Salt marshes are composed of a variety of plants, mainly rushes, sedges and grasses. Animals seek refuge from predators in the thick marsh vegetation. After salt marsh plants die, microorganisms break the plants down into detritus, which serves as a food source for many small animals. As tidal waters move up into the marsh and then retreat, detritus is carried and distributed througho
