Researchers have warned that Florida's tidal flats are threatened by human activity.

A new University of Florida study highlights the urgent need to protect these shallow marine ecosystems, known as tidal flats.

Authorities emphasise the critical role these coastal waters play in global food supplies, local economies, and marine health.

The research titled 'Habitat management and restoration as missing pieces in flats ecosystems conservation and the fishes and fisheries that they support' outlines 10 strategies to protect these ecosystems from human impact and extreme weather.

The team suggests focusing on species like tarpon as flagship species, with their preservation benefiting other species in the same habitat.

The study also stresses the importance of prioritising habitat management and restoration in coastal development. The goal is to create resilient shorelines and shallow-water habitats, benefiting communities and marine life.

Lucas Griffin, an assistant professor in USF's Department of Integrative Biology and a lead researcher on the study, said: 'The ecological connections between these ecosystems and other marine habitats are vital for the lifecycle of various species, many of which are integral to fisheries.'

Griffin has spent the past decade studying fish migration and observing the rapid changes in tidal flats.

He worked with experts from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Carleton University, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst to develop a global plan to protect these areas.

Griffin said: 'The Florida Keys are a biodiversity hotspot where wildlife and fish depend on flats habitats.

'But these ecosystems are at risk—from coastal development and harmful algal blooms, to heat waves and boats running aground on sensitive habitats, like seagrass. Iconic recreational fish like tarpon, permit and bonefish rely on these flats, contributing millions of dollars to the local economy each year.

'Despite their importance, there is not a lot of direct habitat management to protect these ecosystems. We need to address questions like how much good habitat remains, what can be restored and what has already been lost.'

Authorities point to overfishing, habitat degradation, coastal development, and environmental changes as key factors in the loss of these fragile habitats worldwide.

In Florida, intensified weather, including heat waves and hurricanes, has worsened these issues.

Griffin added: 'Effective habitat management and restoration are critical, but have been overlooked for flats ecosystems.

'Implementing these principles can help secure the biodiversity, fisheries and ecosystem services that millions of people depend on.'