Minding the Store

The video discusses the significant loss of seagrass beds in Florida's Indian River Lagoon and the lack of federal funding for water quality monitoring. Seagrass beds, crucial for marine biodiversity, have seen a catastrophic decline, affecting the ecosystem. The video explores the extent of the loss and the controversy surrounding its causes, including a microalgae bloom that may not fully explain the die-off.

What was the original business model for funding water quality monitoring programs?

• Corporate sponsorships

• Private donations

• Local government grants

• Using state and federally mandated programs

Which ecosystems are seagrass beds compared to in terms of biodiversity?

• Savannas and wetlands

• Rainforests and coral reefs

• Deserts and tundras

• Mountains and valleys

What role do seagrass beds play in estuaries?

• They reduce salinity levels

• They increase water temperature

• They act as hiding places for marine life

• They provide food for large predators

How much of the Indian River Lagoon's seagrass has been lost?

• 20,000 acres

• 50,000 acres

• 10,000 acres

• 36,000 acres

What was initially thought to be the cause of the seagrass die-off?

• A rise in water temperature

• Overfishing

• Increased pollution

• A microalgae bloom