Seagrass Changes in Tampa Bay

Infographic showing changes in Tampa Bay seagrass cover over time.
(SWFWMD)

Population growth in the Tampa Bay area exploded in the 1950s, leaving local seagrass populations impacted by land removal and runoff associated with development. Community efforts to reduce pollution responded to the loss of habitat and by 2014, seagrass amounts were restored to their original 1950s levels.