Science Summaries

Looking for an easy-to-understand snapshot of sanctuary science? These informative one- and two-page summaries provide a great introduction to long-term research projects in the sanctuary and give an overview of threats to the marine environment. Browse these publications to learn more about the sanctuary’s marine zones and how protected areas, like the Tortugas and Western Sambo Ecological Reserves, are having positive effects on reef fish and other marine animals.

• Habitats

  
  +

  Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Program Results (pdf, 783 kb)

  Elkhorn and Staghorn Coral Surveys (pdf 408 kb)

  Elkhorn Coral: Science of Recovery (pdf 382 kb)

  Marine Debris in Reef Habitats (pdf, 443 kb)

  Great White Herons in the Backcountry (pdf, 351 kb)

  Seagrass Monitoring Project (pdf, 806 kb)

  Seagrass Meadows and Nutrients (pdf, 629 kb)

  Sea Turtles in Refuge Waters (pdf, 257 kb)

  Shallow Banks Act Similarly to Coral Reefs (pdf, 627 kb)

   

• Marine Zones

  
  +

  Coral Reef Fish and Marine Zones (pdf, 540 kb)

  Elkhorn and Staghorn Coral Surveys (pdf 408 kb)

  Fore Reef Grouper Utilize Outlier Reef South of Reserve (pdf, 634 kb)

  Large Spiny Lobster Migrating from Reserve (pdf, 698 kb)

  Marine Zones and Zone Monitoring (pdf, 374 kb)

  Pink Shrimp Rebound in Ecological Reserve (pdf, 496 kb)

  Reef Fish in the Tortugas Ecological Reserve (pdf, 482 kb)

  Reef Fish Respond Positively to Reserve Protection (pdf,1.1 MB)

  Spawning Mutton Snapper Use Corridor between Reserves (pdf, 587 kb)

  Spiny Lobster are Migrating Across Habitats and Boundaries (pdf, 939 kb)

  Spiny Lobster and Marine Zones (pdf, 491 kb)

   

• Socioeconomics

  
  +

  Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Socioeconomic Factsheet (pdf, 147 kb)

  Sambo Fishermen Earnings Not Affected by Reserve (pdf, 727 kb)

  Tortugas Fishermen Earnings Not Affected by Closure (pdf, 457 kb)

   

• Water Quality

  
  +

  Fifteen Years of Water Quality Protection (pdf, 389 kb)

  Phytoplankton Blooms: The Basics (pdf, 646 kb)

  Phytoplankton Blooms in Florida Bay (pdf, 484 kb)

  Seagrass Meadows and Nutrients (pdf, 629 kb)

  Seagrass Monitoring Project (pdf, 806 kb)

  Water Quality: Frequently Asked Questions (pdf, 420 kb)

  Water Quality Monitoring Program Results (pdf, 512 kb)