Significant fluctuations in rainfall may explain a component of the variation seen in the last two decades in Florida Bay overall, yet data from Taylor Core indicates that Taylor Creek outflow has not corresponded to rainfall, therefore water management practices have not mimicked natural conditions. Research beginning this year will examine the seasonal signal of salinity changes in Florida Bay over the last 150-200 years, by examining the individual growth layers in mollusc shells. This will provide managers with the data to restore natural flow conditions to Taylor Creek.

Data presented here on seagrass and SAV demonstrate that clear trends can be seen in cores from 3 different basins in Florida Bay, and that changes in SAV must be examined from the decadal and centennial perspective. Factors that affect SAV are not site-specific, nor basin-specific. A proposed multi-disciplinary study of cores from key sites in Florida Bay would allow analysis of the numerous geochemical, biological, and physical components that affect the long-term stability and health of Florida Bay's seagrass beds. Ultimately, this would allow sustainable and cost-effective management of this critical natural resource.

The basins of Florida Bay and the estuaries of South Florida are subject to a number of regional influences, both natural and anthropogenic. Molluscs exist throughout these systems and provide an excellent means of monitoring the health of the system. By monitoring the present, we have opened a key to the past; by studying the past, we are opening a window to the future and the ability to predict the effects of restoration on the estuarine systems.