Hurricanes devastated Florida’s East Coast – then seagrass made an unexpected comeback

After years of collapse, seagrass in Florida’s Mosquito Lagoon rebounded unexpectedly following 2022 hurricanes, offering new insight into ecosystem resilience.

By: Stephanie Insalaco-Wyner, Southwestern University and Hannah V. Herrero, University of Tennessee, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 21, 2026

Words: 1,492

Last Updated: 3 months, 1 week ago

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By Stephanie Insalaco-Wyner, Southwestern University and Hannah V. Herrero, University of Tennessee

Florida’s Indian River Lagoon has been an ecosystem in decline going back to 2011, when harmful algal blooms led to a severe decline in seagrass, the foundational component of shallow coastal ecosystems.

Seagrass meadows stabilize sediments, improve water clarity and provide critical habitat and forage for species ranging from invertebrates to sea turtles and manatees. Seagrass also generates a

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