It forms meadows in shallow sandy or muddy locations in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, and is also found in the Bahamas and Bermuda.

Throughout all regions they are used as medicine, food, and their main source of contribution to humans is their sediment trapping and binding capacities.

Unfortunately, much like other environments in the world, human development can alter the ecology of the sea grasses and therefore the coast of Florida is starting to lose high densities of this type of ecosystem.

Thus manatee grasses are being over grazed and resulting in lower nursery areas for native species that rely on the meadows.

This issue at hands becomes whether or not these seagrasses will continue to grow in native areas to protect the coast of Florida from erosion, keep manatees alive, and out of all making sure this ecosystem doesn't fail.

In 2004, the Loxahatchee River estuary was effected by two hurricanes (Frances and Jeanne) causing considerable amount of damage to these sea grass beds.

Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne affected the Loxahatchee River watershed in September 2004 with high winds, heavy rainfall, and excessive freshwater runoff.

Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne produced 610 mm of rainfall and resulted in excessive freshwater influx to the estuary.

This caused a negative affected of salinity, light availability, and water quality in the Loxahatchee River Estuary.

Freshwater discharges resulting from the hurricanes severely damaged manatee seagrass beds, nearly wiping out the entire colony in the estuary.