stormwater and other negative environmental stressors associated with our population growth . In short , the very essence of the Florida experience , our beautiful beaches and estuaries , which provide so much recreation and enjoyment , are being threatened by the very economic growth they support . For evidence of this assertion , one only needs to observe our current environmental crisis around the state . The Indian River Lagoon on Florida ’ s east coast has suffered excessive harmful algal blooms and is currently experiencing an unprecedented die-off of iconic Florida manatees . To the south , Biscayne Bay and adjacent Florida Bay are experiencing similar algal blooms and degraded water quality that turns once crystal-clear waters murky , replacing seagrasses and corals with putrid , mucky sediments . Perhaps the most pressing of coastal issues can be seen in southwest Florida , where near constant red tide , a bloom of the harmful algae species Karenia brevis , not only imperils wildlife but also impacts human health by exposure to toxic substances produced by the algae themselves . The overall effect on coastal environments is visually distressing , and as such , the impact on coastal economies is equally staggering . Economic impact from algal blooms and associated environmental degradation is estimated in the billions annually from lost tourism revenue alone , not to mention the less tangible impacts of reduced property values and quality of living in these coastal regions .
But wait … all is not lost ! Most Floridians can attest , if there is one thing that living in the land of hurricanes and mosquitos has taught us , it is resilience in the face of adversity . You have undoubtedly heard this term quite a bit recently and for good reason . The problems faced by Florida are not unique ; in fact , they are global . Although our population , and thus our impacts , continue to grow daily , the outlook for coastal resources and the communities they support is not all negative . Recently , environmental researchers have been looking for new and creative ways to tackle the issues in our coastal zones . These creative solutions include nature-based approaches such as integrating algal-based wastewater treatment into our traditional water cleaning processes or the use of oyster reefs to protect shorelines and improve fish habitat and water quality . The approaches being researched are highly diverse and evolving daily . For example , while aquaculture of shellfish , such as hard clams and oysters , has been a profitable industry in Florida for decades , the modification of shellfish farming techniques to attain environmental restoration via water filtration and excess nutrient retention has exploded around the state . The Florida Legislature devoted more than $ 8 million this past legislative session to restoration of native clam populations alone . Additionally , several million dollars has been allocated to reinvigorating oyster populations and seagrass replanting in areas such as Tampa Bay , Sarasota Bay , Charlotte Harbor and the Indian River Lagoon . Furthermore , both state and federal dollars are being directed to correcting Florida ’ s coastal community ’ s wastewater infrastructure . Hundreds of millions of dollars have being appropriated to convert septic systems to sewers to prevent excessive nutrient loading to our coastal waters . In the Indian River Lagoon alone , more than $ 300 million is being spent to dredge nutrient-laden sediments from the lagoon to aid in water quality improvements that will result in tangible economic improvements as tourism increases once the lagoon is restored to a sportfishing and ecotourism destination .
While our coastal ecosystems are under unprecedented stress , we are also experiencing an unprecedented political will to ameliorate these stressors for the betterment of our state ’ s tourism-based economy . No matter what side of the political fence you sit on , we can all agree that our coastal resources are immensely valuable . Whether socially or economically motivated , coastal ecosystem restoration is becoming a huge business , with many private firms rising to take over activities once conducted only by governmental agencies , NGOs and academic institutions . Further , this is happening at a global scale , with economic projections of ecosystem restoration being a $ 200 billion ( yes , with a b ) global industry by 2050 . Given the direct economic impact of improved coastal ecosystems and the ever-increasing need for this important restoration work right here in our state , there is great hope for both Florida ’ s coastal communities and its economy .
Dr . Todd Z . Osborne , Assistant Professor in the Wetland Biogeochemistry Laboratory , has a diverse research program focusing on biogeochemical processes in soil and water in a variety of ecosystems throughout Florida .
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