Gulf Coast Ecosystems

Overview

Gulf of Mexico coastal ecosystems are faced with multiple threats both from changing climatic conditions and growing human population and activities.  Impacts from these threats are not contained to one ecosystem, and processes and functions within these ecosystems depend on healthy ecosystem processes in adjoining systems.

Along some areas of the Gulf of Mexico coast, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), mangrove forests and coral reefs interact through physical, biological and chemical processes and the transfer of materials and movement of species from one system to another. Ocean currents and waves that head towards shores are buffered by coral reefs, which in turn allow SAV beds and mangrove forests to survive in an otherwise unsuitable environment (Moberg and Folke 1999). In turn, mangroves and SAV beds filter pollutants, creating clear, nutrient poor water that promotes the growth of coral reefs. Mangrove fringed coastlines also help settle sediment within the water column, so that SAV beds can be established offshore in less turbid water (Wolanski et al. 1997). Many commercially important fish species use these ecosystems during different life stages, from juvenile nurseries to adult foraging areas (Nagelkerken et al. 2000).

Managers across the Gulf of Mexico are faced with complex issues in preserving and restoring these systems in the face of multiple sources of disturbance, complex interactions, and many unknowns.  Tools accessible through GoMRC have been used to help resource managers identify priorities, gain more information, and document base conditions.  Find out more:

• Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
• Mangroves
• Coral Reefs

References

Moberg F and Folke C. 1999. Ecological goods and services of coral reef ecosystems. Ecological Economics 29: 215-233.

Nagelkerken I, van der Velde G, Gorissen MW, Meijer GJ, van’t Hof T, den Hartog C. 2000. Importance of mangroves, seagrass beds and the shallow coral reef as a nursery for important coral reef fishes, using a visual census technique. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 51: 31-44.

Wolanski E, Spagnol S, Lim EB. 1997. The importance of mangrove flocs in sheltering seagrass in turbid coastal waters. Mangroves and Salt Marshes 1: 187-191.