Findings so far indicate that restoring the golf course to a more natural wetland landscape did indeed improve the habitat for tarpon. The ponds used by tarpon were expanded and connected to other ponds on the property. The restoration efforts also created a more effective littoral shelf that hosts prey for the tarpon to feed upon. As a result, tarpon are less crowded and the habitat sustains juvenile tarpon for longer periods of time.
Click on this link to get a great aerial view of the ponds on the western side of the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, starting with volunteers loading the seine net into the Jon boat. The view includes Placida Road and beyond, Lemon Creek and Lemon Bay. Juvenile tarpon arrive in the Preserve ponds by navigating up Lemon Creek, through the mangrove forest, through the culvert under Placida Road, through the mangrove forests in the Preserve, and into the ponds. Larger tarpon return the Lemon Bay and beyond via the same route, just in reverse.
