Nature-based solutions: estuarine restoration for water quality, seagrass and ecological improvement

Abstract

Natural ecosystems are marked by complex interconnections and a high degree of resilience and adaptability. Historically many of these areas have been viewed as an obstacle to be cut down, channelized and drained for development. Such development in turn requires catchment based local stormwater management systems that do not scale with climate change and focus on only one element such as flood control or water quality. These traditional, localized approaches to water fail to take advantage of the interconnected benefits of nature-based systems and approaches to water management. These benefits include ecological uplift, enhanced habitat, eco-tourism, recreation, carbon sequestration and climate change resilience. There is a notable shift towards utilizing nature-based solutions to work with development and water management as evidenced by emerging government policy, funding and permitting requirements as well as the number of examples of recent successful projects. This paper examines one such project, a new tidal connection through the SR 60/Courtney Campbell Causeway in an estuarine area of Old Tampa Bay, Florida, United States. The connection was established to improve water quality in an area north of the causeway isolated by highway development and infill. Based on recent monitoring data, the project significantly improved water quality and ecological conditions conducive to seagrass recovery and increased biodiversity.