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03/15/2022 Item 5.E. What are some of the main threats to the health of the Lagoon? ➢ Climate change may come about through natural or man -mad causes. Impacts from climate change on the Lagoon may affect the ecology, hydrodynamics, circulation patterns, depth and salinity of this diverse ecosystem, including specific issues such as: ❖ Loss of Mangroves: mangroves stabil ze shorelines and also provide habitat and nursery area recreationally important finfish and invertebrates. These wetlands have adapted to maintain their position alcng the fringes of the Lagoon by accreting (adding) sediment at a relatively slow pace. Accelerated sea level rise could pose threat to these communities by outpacing their ability to accumulate sediments, resulting in conversion to open water areas. ❖ Seagrass beds are critical to the health and water quality of the Lagoon. They provide sediment stabilization, oxygenate the water column, and habitat for a wide array of species. Deeper waters associated with accelerated sea level rise could reduce sunlight levels and affect photosynthesis, which leads to decreases in seagrass acreage. What are some of the main threats to the health of the Lagoon? ❖ Increased salinity in the lagoon accompanying sea level rise could negatively impact the life cycles of numerous plant and animal species; these impacts continue throughout the food web within the Lagoon. ❖Threats to biodiversity: Sea level rise and warmer water temperatures could decrease the number of species that occur in the IRL; invasive and other opportunistic organisms could adapt and establish themselves under stressful conditions, displacing native flora and fauna. ❖Adjacent upland & wetland habitats and maritime hammocks would also be at risk of flooding and salt water inundation. Loss of mud flats and salt marshes providing habitat for a wide variety of fish, birds, reptiles, mammals and invertebrates is possible.