Biscayne Bay: A Biological Research Paper

Biscayne Bay is an amazing ecosystem,and home to hundreds of native species, including wildlife, aquatic life and foliage. I am writing this article for my Biology Class, so the following topics and questions will be explored.

• The location of the body of water of my choice
• A description of the geography surrounding this body of water
• The effects of sunlight on the aquatic life inhabiting this body of water
• The depths and salinity of this body of water and how this shapes the types of aquatic life present
• The effects of seasonal changes to water temperatures and aquatic life in this body of water
• Predictions or current research on the effects of climate change to this body of water

I have chosen this body of water, because A) I lived on Biscayne Bay with my family for about 5 years(I consider it my home town), and B) and it’s so beautifully and ecologically diverse, when it comes to species that it is home to and such 😀

As seen from this image, Biscayne Bay is located just north of Card Sound, which is on the west side of the bottom of the state of Florida. Spanning from North Bay, Dumfoundling Bay,  extending south to the Rickenbacker Causeway. Biscayne Bay is just to the east of the beautiful Bahaman Islands. To the immediate south is the country of Cuba, and the Caribbean Sea. Biscayne Bay is at the heart of Miami. With an area of approx. 429 square miles(1,110 km²), and being a total of 35 miles long and up to 8 miles wide, it is Miami’s largest and most major body of water, as well as home to Florida’s biggest port of call.

The effects of sunlight directly on aquatic life in Biscayne Bay, I would say is very great. As a body of water in Florida, Biscayne Bay naturally gets a lot of sunlight, all throughout the year. But the effect of it, well that is a little bit difficult. I would guess that it greatly affects the aquatic life there in the bay largely by providing the necessary light required for corrals and other such water foliage to grow, thus providing ample habitat for aquatic life in the Bay area.

In shallow areas, Biscayne Bay is about 1 to 10 feet deep. And, at its deepest point, Biscayne Bay is 30 to 40 feet in depth; in areas that dredging has occurred. Dredging in the Bay area has been done several times for the purpose of creating enough depth for large cargo and cruise ships to enter and depart the grand port of Miami. The salinity level of Biscayne Bay, changes daily, so therefore an exact level is not able to be obtained. “¹The North Bay of the Biscayne Bay lies between Miami Beach Barrier Island and Miami on the mainland. It has been severely affected over the last century by raw sewage releases, urban runoff, shoreline bulk heading, dredging, and the creation of artificial islands and the loss of natural fresh water flow into the bay. However, water quality has steadily improved since regular monitoring began in 1979. North Bay accounts for only 10% of the water area of the bay.”

Local fish species, inhabiting Biscayne Bay National Park’s coral reefs

Seasonal changes and temperatures in Biscayne Bay have seen more and more seemingly adverse effects on the local aquatic life, in recent years.  During the winter, the water has seen a monumental low, in water temperatures. With water temperatures dropping father than they have ever before, aquatic life in the local area has been experiences large losses of manatee and other local fish breeds, due to the freezing temperatures in the Bay. But with these conditions only lasting for a few weeks, every year, the local populations of aquatic life has not been greatly affected, in adverse ways. During the spring months, the water is very warm, at subtropic temperatures, promoting excellent breeding grounds for hundreds of fish and various other marine life. In the summer, of course, the water is perfect for fish and marine life of all kinds.

A Lion fish, an invasive species, in Biscayne Bay National Park.

As stated in an article by Wide Open Spaces, ” ²Each year, the [Biscayne Bay National] park’s diverse fish species attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, many of them boaters. Environmentalists argue that anglers who fish the bay from boats are causing the most damage to the environment and fish stocks.” The article goes on to quote Matthew Schwartz, executive director of the South Florida Wildlands Association who states ³” ‘I’m pretty furious that the National Park Service is kowtowing to the anglers’ interests, We’re not anti-hunting or anti-fishing, but it’s well acknowledged that the fish stocks in Biscayne Bay are [being] heavily depleted, the coral reefs are in terrible shape, and this [proposed] (no fishing zone) was a solution.” So, as we can see here, the major threat to the Bay area’s environment and ecosystem is a large problem with over fishing.

According to recent observations, the climates changes have not had any large effects on Biscayne Bay. And, many recent predictions say that, that it will not affect the Bay greatly, if at all. Though the Bay has seen recent changes in coastline, such changes have not been attributed to climate change, but rather to water erosion caused by recent hurricanes and tropical storms, that have come through the area.

Having lived on Biscayne Bay, for about 5 years, while I was younger, I got to experience first hand one of the most beautiful, and amazing estuaries on the whole east coast of the United States. Not only is Biscayne Bay so ecologically diverse and home to so many of our native exotic species here in the U.S.A., but it is also, a great place for sailing and water sports of any kind.

Biscayne Bay is so ideal for sailing that it is the number one place that the U.S. Olympic Sailing team comes to train, any time of the year, but mostly in the winter time. In the winter, the weather is the warmest of all the choice sailing spots around the U.S., and as always Biscayne Bay has a great sailing wind always blowing in from offshore. With winds ranging from 3 – 5 knots, when it’s calm out, to about 10 – 15 knots on a really gusty day, the sailing on the Bay is always challenging and fun. Of course the sun is always shining, in the mornings and then around noon to early afternoon, the weather can change almost instantly to rainy and miniature hurricane like, but it is short lived. By about 3 or so in the afternoon, usually it is back to sunny and beautiful, finishing off with the most beautiful sunsets you could ever ask for.

Another advantage Biscayne Bay has is its close proximity, with the Gulf Stream, making it an excellent place for fishing of all kinds. From deep water fishing, to reef fishing, flats fishing and just about everything in between, the Bay is an ideal spot for all anglers.

I hope that through our efforts, to conserve and protect Florida’s Biscayne Bay, and all its amazing wildlife, aquatic life, and coral reefs, many more animal species will be able to call the Bay home. I also hope that through our extended efforts, we may be able to preserve this beautiful estuary for the enjoyment of all peoples for many more years to come. May we all, seek to preserve, protect and defend the habitats that our wonderful Creator has granted us, to inhabit.

References: ¹ Wikipedia: Biscayne Bay http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biscayne_Bay. ²  &³Wide Open Spaces : Trouble in Florida’s Biscayne Bay National Park http://www.wideopenspaces.com/anglers-environmentalists-odds-fishing-biscayne-natl-par/ . 

Photo Credits: Wide Open Spaces http://www.wideopenspaces.com/anglers-environmentalists-odds-fishing-biscayne-natl-par/ .  Google Biscayne Bay National Park http://bit.ly/1DwOsIn . 

” Carolina,

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Biscayne Bay! Your presentation is complete and I can tell that you spent a lot of time and effort in this. Very well done. Your grade is 40/40. A+

Let me know if you need help.

Keep smiling!

Mrs. Josephine Turingan (Biology Teacher) ”
09/25/14 9:41 AM

It always makes me feel so good, when I get an awesome grade from my Biology Teacher. Mrs. Turingan you ROCK!!!! Keep up the awesome work! 🙂Thanks for all you do, for your many FLVS Students 😀