Researchers survey Florida Bay from above, gaining a landscape-scale view of the waterways, mangroves and coastal systems that may be contributing to persistent algal blooms. Photo by Jay Apt/LightHawk.
Earlier this year, Florida International University researchers partnered with LightHawk to gain a broader view of Florida Bay and better understand the changes reshaping the ecosystem. Over the past century, the bay has experienced significant ecological shifts. The loss of seagrass, combined with powerful storms, has contributed to a transition from historically clear waters to conditions increasingly marked by sediment plumes and algal blooms.
Researchers are working to understand what drives Florida Bay’s persistent algal blooms, which often grow larger and more intense following major storms. After a historic rainfall event across South Florida in November 2023, the team collected water-quality samples and conducted aerial surveys across north-central Florida Bay. By combining these observations, researchers can better understand how stormwater, nutrients and other inputs may contribute to the extent and intensity of algal blooms.
The flight provided researchers with high-resolution photos and video showing the broader connections between Florida Bay, surrounding waterways and potential sources of nutrients contributing to algal blooms. Combined with water-quality data, the imagery will support an ongoing study funded by Everglades National Park and the South Florida Water Management District to better understand where those nutrients are coming from and what is driving persistent blooms in the bay.
Snake Bight at low tide showing water flow throughout north central Florida Bay. Photo by Jonathan Rodemann.
During the flight, researchers viewed and photographed multiple areas across southwestern Florida Bay, gaining a broader perspective on the connections shaping the ecosystem. Professor Jennifer Rehage reflected on the value of seeing the region from above:
“The flight was amazing and so useful for our research. It is just so useful to have a landscape perspective of an environmental problem we are trying to fix. I think seeing a process from the air influences the way we think about the problem, the scale and connectivity and is just invaluable. We are so grateful for this opportunity. Pilot Jay was amazing and so kind! Thank you so much for this.” – Professor, Jennifer Rehage
Post Doc Jonathan Rodemann added, “As scientists, it is crucial to understand your system as a whole in order to make conclusions about specific parts of that system. In this flight, we were trying to accomplish just that: identifying potential sources of nutrients contributing to algal blooms in Florida Bay by looking at the entire coastal ecosystem. Through LightHawk, we were able to visualize the sheer connectivity of this system and better conceptualize how seemingly unrelated things such as dead mangroves on land and algae in the water column may be interacting. The information gained through this flight will lead to better hypothesis generation to answer the question “What is causing the algal blooms in Florida Bay?”
Special thanks go out to pilot Jay Apt who provided the opportunity for Jonathan and Jennifer to experience the flight and capture important photos and video for their ongoing research.
Creek leading out of dead mangrove zone, illustrating possible nutrient mobilization into Florida Bay. Photo by Jonathan Rodemann.