Estuaries and their surrounding wetlands are bodies of water where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean to create brackish water. These brackish ecosystems support many unique plant and animal communities around the world.
But ocean water temperature around the world continues to warm. In fact, from 1901 to 2023, the average sea surface temperature has increased by 0.14°F per decade, and 2023 was the warmest year on record.
While sea surface temperatures are on the rise, the problem is more pronounced in South Florida’s estuaries. According to a new study by researchers from the University of South Florida College of Marine Science and the National Park Service, estuaries have experienced rapid warming over the past two decades.
In fact, the research team found that sea surface temperature in four estuaries in South Florida – Florida Bay, Tampa Bay, St. Lucie Estuary and Caloosahatchee River Estuary- has risen around 70% faster than the Gulf of Mexico, and 500% faster than the global oceans.
Their findings, which were recently published in the journals Environmental Research Letters and Estuaries and Coasts, paint a troubling picture for the marine life that calls South Florida’s estuaries home.
The research team has speculated about the possible causes of the rapid rate of warming, including evaporation, water capacity, and residence time, but no single factor has been revealed as dominant.
The researchers hope to partner with colleagues at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and NOAA to explore the potential impacts of water temperatures on seagrass and coral populations in South Florida.
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Estuaries in South Florida are warming faster than the Gulf of Mexico and global ocean
Photo, posted August 18, 2016, courtesy of City of St. Pete via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio
