The Indian River Lagoon system and Brevard County's waterways, while known for their beauty and biodiversity, face significant environmental challenges.
here are some alarming facts
Declining Biodiversity
The lagoon is home to more than 4,300 species of plants and animals, but it has been experiencing a significant loss of biodiversity. This includes drastic declines in populations of important species like manatees, dolphins, and various fish species, largely due to pollution and habitat loss.
Algal Blooms
The waterways frequently suffer from harmful algal blooms, including brown tide and red tide. These blooms are often a result of nutrient pollution from runoff containing fertilizers, septic tank leaks, and other waste products. They can devastate marine life and have harmful effects on human health and local economies.
Muck build-up
Decades of runoff and pollution have led to a significant build-up of muck – a sludgy combination of fine-grained sediments, organic matter, and dead plant material. This muck not only degrades water quality by releasing nutrients that fuel algal blooms but also smothers and destroys the benthic (bottom-dwelling) habitats crucial for many species.
Fish Kills
The lagoon has experienced severe fish kills, notably in 2016 when thousands of dead fish washed ashore. These events are often due to a combination of factors like algal blooms, low dissolved oxygen, and temperature changes, reflecting the stressed state of the ecosystem.
Contaminant Levels: There are concerns about elevated levels of pollutants, including heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxic substances in the waterways. These contaminants can accumulate in the food chain, affecting wildlife health and posing risks to human health.
Habitat Loss And Modification
Ongoing development and human activities have led to significant habitat loss and modifications, including changes to water flow, shoreline structures, and removal of vegetation. This loss impacts the myriad of species that depend on these habitats for survival.
