New project in Estero Bay looks to revive struggling seagrass and clam species

In the southern part of Estero Bay, a science experiment of sorts is now underway under the water.

“In science, something is just an idea or a hypothesis until you test it,” said James Douglass.

So, that’s exactly what Douglass, a professor with Florida Gulf Coast University, and the rest of a research team are doing.

The idea is that clams can help seagrass – and vice versa. The team is planting clams in seagrass beds to see what happens.

Both species are in trouble and not as abundant on the Gulf Coast as they once were.

“They've been depleted by environmental problems, and in the case of clams, overharvesting,” Douglass explained. “We need to bring them back to a healthy level, where they can play their role in the environment properly."

And that role, Douglass said, is a big one.

Clams help filter the water, making it cleaner. Seagrass is both food and habitat for key species.

The research will last 6 months to see if and how well they help each other grow. It’s part of a larger experiment happening across the state.

“Both clams and seagrass are important, and they're in trouble in Florida,” Douglass said. “They need our help.”

In the meantime, FGCU is planning a restoration elsewhere in the bay. They intend to plant hundreds of acres of seagrass, along with clams.

“Hopefully, this research will provide some information about what might make those restoration efforts a little more successful,” Melissa May said.

May, a professor with FGCU, is also part of the research team.

She believes this experiment is one that everybody should care about.

“Clean water affects us all, right? So, in Southwest Florida, eco-tourism is kind of like the basis of what's running our economy. And that relies on clean water,” May said.

“(People) want to have a healthy water environment where they can boat on blue water, where they can catch fish,” Douglass said. “That doesn't happen by magic."