Harbor Key Coastal Ecosystem Management

Harbor Key is located in lower Tampa Bay, Manatee County, Florida and consists of a coastal strand community with a narrow mangrove fringe. The coastal strand was significantly impacted by exotic plants, primarily Brazilian pepper. The site has high archeological significance.

KECE designed, managed, and monitored the exotic removal process on the Harbor Key mitigation site. Initial removal of the exotic plants on Harbor Key was carried out in April and May of 2001. Annual monitoring has documented that the exotic vegetation eradication has successfully eliminated greater than 95 percent of all exotics without damaging the native vegetation or impacting archeological resources.