Matagorda Bay Ecosystem Health Report Card 2023

Matagorda Bay

Ecosystem Health Report Card 2023 Current condition: vulnerable

Photo by Larry Ditto Nature Photography

Matagorda Bay is a diverse landscape The Matagorda Bay system covers more than 400 square miles and is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by over 50 miles of barrier islands. The system includes Lavaca, Tres Palacios, East Matagorda, Turtle, Carancahua, Chocolate, and Keller Bays. Freshwater enters from the Lavaca and Colorado Rivers. The Matagorda Bay ecosystem is ecologically unique, with habitats that include wooded wetlands and uplands, riverine and riparian areas, coastal prairie, fresh, brackish, and tidal wetlands, oyster reef, seagrass beds, and tidal flats. The diversity of these habitats, and their locations in the bay landscape support ecologically and economically significant populations of wildlife and fisheries species.

About this Report Card This Report Card uses local, state, and national datasets alongside stakeholder input to evaluate how current conditions compare to long-term trends. This is meant to give a high-level summary of the health of bay ecosystems to inform management decisions for the Texas coast.

A healthy score represents a well-balanced system that supports current uses. A vulnerable score indicates that negative influences from human and natural pressures are being observed.

An unhealthy score means that measured values are outside the range of what is expected in a balanced, healthy system.

Unhealthy

Vulnerable

Healthy

Prioritize immediate actions

Prioritize proactive solutions

Prioritize balanced growth

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This symbol indicates a priority call to action

Water Nutrients Freshwater inflow Beach bacteria

Balanced levels of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, support life in our bays. Although nutrients are at healthy levels in much of the Matagorda Bay system, high levels of nutrients are becoming more common in Lavaca Bay. The amount and timing of freshwater inflow to estuaries helps regulate salinity and nutrient supply.

Flows to Matagorda Bay are generally adequate, but low flow periods from the Colorado River have become more frequent, which increases salinity and negatively affects sensitive species.

The Texas Beach Watch program measures harmful bacteria in the water at recreational beaches. In 2021, high levels of bacteria were observed at some Matagorda beaches, which can come from sewage overflow with large storms, improperly functioning septic tanks, and pet waste in runoff.

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Habitat Coastal habitats provide feeding grounds and shelter for fish, birds, crabs, sea turtles, and shrimp. They protect the coast from damaging waves and erosion and store carbon.

Wetlands in the Matagorda Bay region are vulnerable

to losses from sea level rise and erosion, while coastal development limits space for adaptation. Decreasing freshwater inflow and changing vegetation types may be affecting how well remaining wetland habitats support the species that rely on them.

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Increase monitoring to understand how coastal habitats are changing with climate change, sea level rise, and coastal development.

1. Explore options to moderate salinity during drought, such as increasing freshwater delivery and opening up barrier island passes.

2. Expand beach bacteria monitoring sites and identify bacteria sources to protect human health.

Photo by Larry Ditto Nature Photography

Wetland area Seagrass coverage Insufficient data

Tidal flats area Insufficient data

Wildlife Photo by Larry Ditto Nature Photography

Colonial waterbirds are iconic species

Colonial waterbirds

that gather in dense colonies to nest on small islands throughout Matagorda Bay. Six of the nine species used in this report have shown up in fewer numbers than they have in the past, largely because of erosion of nesting islands and degraded feeding habitats.

Assessed waterbird species: Black Skimmer, Great Egret, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Tricolored Heron, Great Blue Heron, Brown Pelican, Caspian Tern, Forster’s Tern

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Conserve and restore rookery islands and other coastal habitats to benefit colonial waterbirds.

Redfish, Atlantic Croaker, and Spotted Seatrout populations are sufficient to support Matagorda Bay’s vibrant fishing industry. Shrimp are still within acceptable ranges, but populations should be closely monitored to ensure continued sustainability. Southern Flounder, oyster, and Blue Crab populations are in decline.

Finfish Shrimp Blue Crab Oysters

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1. Assess fishing and environmental pressures to support sustainable management strategies.

2. Conserve existing oyster reef structure and encourage responsible harvest practices to ensure resources for the future.

Assessed finfish species: Spotted Seatrout, Black Drum, Red Drum, Atlantic Croaker, Southern Flounder

Community Coastal communities affect and are affected by the environment and the natural resources that define ways of life. Healthy bays support healthy communities.

Coastal economies provide local jobs, tax income, and ways of life for coastal communities.

In 2021, tourism and recreation activities in the three coastal counties generated nearly $50 million and commercial fisheries were worth about $3 million.

Income from these industries has generally grown more slowly than in other areas of Texas.

Earnings from travel and recreation in Matagorda County have grown faster than the average for Texas’ coastal counties, while Jackson and Calhoun Counties have seen slower growth.

The value of commercial fishing in Matagorda Bay has grown more slowly than in other bays throughout Texas.

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1. Support growth in balance with the ecosystem to maintain a healthy bay.

2. Ensure equitable access to coastal resources to benefit local communities.

Coastal economies Community resilience

Community resilience is the ability to

adapt to environmental changes and recover from disasters. Approximately 33% of the people in Matagorda, Jackson, and Calhoun Counties have 3 or more risk factors that make them more vulnerable, compared to the US average of about 22%.

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Photo by HRI

Take actions to improve equity, invest in resources for vulnerable populations, and promote proactive disaster planning to create more resilient communities.

Risk factors include income to poverty ratio, single or no caregiver, crowding, communication barrier, unemployment, disability, no health insurance, age 65+, no vehicle access, no internet access.

Conservation Success Stories In partnership with the Texas General Land Office and Matagorda County, the Matagorda Bay Foundation purchased a 900-acre coastal island located adjacent to the Colorado River delta to preserve its diverse habitat.

Matagorda Bay Foundation, Texas General Land Office, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are finalizing the engineering, design, and permitting for an oyster reef restoration and wetland protection project at Oliver Point, near Palacios, Texas.

Photo by Buddy Wilson

Photo by Buddy Wilson

Acknowledgments This Report Card was developed in partnership with many stakeholders and organizations. This report was made possible in part through a grant from the Texas General Land Office (TGLO) providing Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 funding to the State of Texas and awarded under the Texas Coastal Management Program. The views contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the views of the TGLO or the State of Texas. Special thanks to Bill Balboa from the Matagorda Bay Foundation for local insight, guidance, and helping to bring together stakeholders.

Suggested citation: West, A., Wetz, M., Beseres Pollack, J., 2023. Matagorda Bay Ecosystem Health Report Card.

Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.