The 2024 hurricane season took a heavy toll on mangroves across Sarasota and Manatee counties, according to the data from Suncoast Waterkeeper’s second year of the Mangrove Rangers program.
“One of the most striking findings came from a protected site in Sarasota Bay. Last year, it was used as our model site, scoring as one of the healthiest mangrove forests in the region. After the hurricanes, however, nearly half of its canopy was lost, dropping its health score from 90 to 59,” according to the Suncoast Waterkeeper August newsletter. “The health score is composed of two indices: One for canopy volume and one for leaf health. The loss of canopy at the protected site demonstrated that there isn’t a forest out there protected from Mother Nature and her increasingly powerful storms. However, it also demonstrates the ability of this coastal forest to serve as the initial defense against powerful winds and waves that are weakened by these majestic trees before reaching inland.”
Two new monitoring sites in Palma Sola Bay, located in protected areas, were introduced.
“Protected Site 7 ranked among the top performers, indicating strong ecosystem functions such as erosion control, improved water quality, serving as a fish nursery and providing a bird rookery. Site 7 resilience in the absence of trimming or development pressure was evident by its health score. The second protected site, Site 6, exhibited signs of strain, characterized by low canopy volume, which may be attributed to its proximity to a busy road and exposure to the 2024 hurricanes,” according to the newsletter.
The results highlight challenges along with hope for mangrove recovery.
“As storms intensify and development pressures grow, protecting mangroves is more critical than ever. These trees are not just coastal vegetation; they serve as a frontline defense for our communities and a vital lifeline for local biodiversity and the economy,” the newsletter stated. “The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (2023) estimates that flood protection benefits from the remaining mangrove systems in Manatee County amount to $54.3 million per year.”
