For decades, the green, stringy algae choking Florida’s iconic crystal-clear springs has been blamed almost entirely on one thing: nitrogen.
However, new research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) suggests the solution to these “blooms” might actually crawl on the bottom of the riverbed.
A study led by researchers Dina Liebowitz, Paul Donsky, and Matt Cohen reveals that freshwater snails, specifically a species called Elimia, act as “natural janitors” for the state’s waterways. By grazing on algae, these snails keep ecosystems balanced—but only if the water conditions allow them to work.
While nitrogen levels remain a concern for water managers, Liebowitz noted that the link between nitrate levels and algae growth isn’t as clear-cut as once thought. After surveying eight different springs over a year, the team found a consistent pattern: where snail populations were high, algae levels stayed low.
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The research, which involved experimental treatments at four sites along the Ichetucknee River, highlights a delicate environmental balance. When dissolved oxygen levels in the water drop, snails lose their “vigor” for foraging.
As the snails slow down or leave the area, algae begins to take over. This creates a “nasty feedback loop,” according to Donsky. Once the algae forms thick mats, it changes the habitat and makes it nearly impossible for snails to reclaim the territory, even if oxygen levels eventually improve.
“When you have these balanced ecosystems and the snails are doing what they do, they’re little janitors,” Liebowitz said. “They keep the springs beautiful for us, they provide an ecosystem service, and we don’t have to do anything.”
The findings suggest that restoring Florida’s springs requires looking beyond just nutrient runoff. Successful algae control depends on three specific factors: the initial amount of algae, the size of the local snail population, and the amount of dissolved oxygen available to keep those snails active.
As researchers continue to study these “incredible systems,” the focus is shifting toward protecting the tiny grazers that keep the “green goo” at bay.
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