FIU’s Justin Campbell has confirmed that a non-native species of seagrass, Halophila stipulacea, is growing in Biscayne Bay. Native seagrasses may be at risk of being pushed out by the aggressive newcomer. “We don’t know whether Stipulacea provides similar ecological benefits,” Campbell says. “Our seagrass meadows here are some of the most pristine and well-protected …We certainly don't want to lose them.”
Healthy seagrass meadows are vital for healthy oceans. They serve as nursery habitats for fish, crustaceans, and shellfish and food for sea turtles, manatees, and other animals. Seagrasses also remove carbon from the air and store it. “The arrival of yet another invasive species to Florida is a reminder that all of our earth is interconnected,” says researcher James Fourqurean.
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