Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve

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Sea Grasses Sea grasses are of vital importance to the estuary as habitat, filtering system, oxygen producer, and bottom stabilizer. Sea grass leaves prove protective cover for juvenile marine animals as well as food for other animals, such as the manatee. The depth at which sea grasses are found is limited to water clarity, like land plants, sea grasses need sunlight to photosynthesize and produce oxygen. Six species of sea grasses live in Florida's estuaries. Shoal-grass (Halodule wrghtii) grows in shallow, disturbed areas forming lush green beds with 18 inch narrow flat leaves. Turtle-grass (Thalassia testudinum) is one of Florida's most abundant underwater grasses. The flattened leaves are thicker and wider than shoal-grass and also flower. Manatee-grass (Syringodium filiforme) leaves are slender, cylindrical, and reach lengths of three feet or more. As the name implies it is a favorite food of the manatee. Johnson's sea grass (Halophila johnsonii) has thin elliptical leaves a few inches in length with a midvein. As a slow grower recovery from environmental distress is poor. Paddle-grass (Halophila decipiens) has pared leaves like Johnson's grass with minutely serrated margins and a shorter broader profile. Star-grass (Halophila englemanii) has 2-4 pairs of elliptical leaves on the end of a one and one half inch stem, resembling a star.