DOCSLIB.ORG

Patch Reefs in Biscayne National Park, FL

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Patch Reefs in Biscayne National Park, FL University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 5-19-2008 Patch Reefs in Biscayne National Park, FL: Sediments, Foraminiferal Distributions, and a Comparison of Three Biotic Indicators of Reef Health Alexa Ramirez University of South Florida Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the American Studies Commons Scholar Commons Citation Ramirez, Alexa, "Patch Reefs in Biscayne National Park, FL: Sediments, Foraminiferal Distributions, and a Comparison of Three Biotic Indicators of Reef Health" (2008). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/465 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Patch Reefs in Biscayne National Park, FL: Sediments, Foraminiferal Distributions, and a Comparison of Three Biotic Indicators of Reef Health by Alexa Ramirez A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science College of Marine Science University of South Florida Major Professor: Pamela Hallock Muller, Ph.D. David Mann, Ph.D. Benjamin Flower, Ph.D. Date of Approval: May 19, 2008 Keywords: bioindicator, SEDCON, FORAM, carbonate, coral © Copyright 2008, Alexa Ramirez ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am very thankful for the help and support I have received from my major professor, Dr. Pamela Hallock Muller. Her dedication to helping me formulate and carry out this project makes her an outstanding advisor for whom I am glad to have had the pleasure to work with. I would also like to thank the rest of my committee, David Mann and Ben Flower, for their advice and input during the critical points of creation and revision of my thesis. Special thanks go to the staff at Biscayne National Park in Homestead, FL who made my sample collection a fast and painless process (BNP permit number BISC-2007- SCI-0023). Sample collection and processing was funded by NOAA through the Florida Hurricane Alliance and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gulf Ecology Division Grant No. X7-96465607-0. Acknowledgment of funding does not imply endorsement of results by any of the funding or permitting agencies. Thank you to the Von Rosenstiels and the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club for their financial support to the College of Marine Science and myself, making it possible for me to concentrate on my degree and finish quickly. Thanks also to the members of the Reef Indicators Lab, especially Bryan McCloskey and Heidi Souder, for their foraminiferal identification expertise. Melanie Peters and James Locasio accompanied me on my sampling trip and helped make the trip run smoothly and on time. The end of my thesis would never have been reached without the support of my family and friends. Thank you to everyone who listened over the past two years. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES iii LIST OF FIGURES v ABSTRACT vii INTRODUCTION 1 Reef Decline in the Florida Keys 1 Patch Reefs in Biscayne National Park 4 Foraminifera 6 Biotic Indicators 7 PROJECT OBJECTIVES 13 METHODS 14 Field Area 14 Sampling Methods 16 Sample Processing 16 SEDCON and FORAM Indices 16 Live Symbiont-bearing Foraminifera (LSF) 18 Data Analysis 18 Statistical Analysis 18 Index Calculations 19 Pattern Analysis 23 RESULTS 25 Grain Size Analysis 25 Environmental Data 27 Foraminiferal Assemblages 29 FORAM Index 45 Sediment Constituent Analysis 48 SEDCON Index 55 Live Symbiont-bearing Foraminifera (LSF) 58 Photic Index 60 FORAM Index v SEDCON Index 62 i DISCUSSION 66 Limitations of Study 66 The Offshore Environment 67 Foraminiferal Assemblages 67 Sediment Constituent Assemblages 74 An Index Comparison 76 Live Symbiont-Bearing Foraminifera (LSF) 80 Patch Reef Health 83 Islands v Inlet: Sources of Stress or Security? 86 CONCLUSIONS 89 REFERENCES 91 APENDICES 97 Appendix I Results of grain-size analysis. 98 Appendix II-a List of foraminiferal genera found within the patch reefs of Biscayne National Park 101 Appendix II-b Raw counts of foraminiferal genera in patch reefs of Biscayne National Park. 102 Appendix III SIMPER results for dissimilarity between groups based on foraminiferal assemblages. 118 Appendix IV Moran’s I values and plots for both the FORAM Index and the SEDCON Index. 124 Appendix V-a Raw counts of sediment constituents. 129 Appendix V-b Visual identification aid for major sediment constituents 134 Appendix VI SIMPER results for dissimilarity between groups based on LSF assemblages 135 Appendix VII Results of bleaching surveyed in live specimens of Amphistegina gibbosa and density of live symbiont- bearing foraminifera 136 Appendix VIII Environmental data and comments from divers and boat captain 137 ii LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Calculation of the FORAM Index 21 Table 2 Division of grains for sediment constituent analysis. 22 Table 3 Calculation of the SEDCON Index 22 Table 4 Visualization of the Photic Index 23 Table 5 List of common abbreviations used in summarizing results 24 Table 6 Size classifications of sediments and summary of median grain size. 25 Table 7 Pearson’s correlation matrix of environmental data 29 Table 8 Within-group similarity of the SIMPER defined groups for the foraminiferal assemblage 31 Table 9 Means for diversity, density, and environmental data for foraminiferal assemblage SIMPER groups. 35 Table 10 Correlation matrix of foraminiferal taxa 39 Table 11 Correlation matrix of foraminiferal taxa and environmental data 43 Table 12 Results of BIO-ENV test of correlation between environmental variables and the foraminiferal assemblage. 45 Table 13 Correlation matrix for FORAM Index functional groups with environmental variables 48 Table 14 Within-group similarity of the two main SIMPER defined groups for the sediment constituents. 51 Table 15 Means for environmental data for sediment constituent SIMPER groups 51 Table 16 Dissimilarity between the two main groups defined by the SIMPER analysis of sediment constituents 52 iii Table 17 Correlation matrix for sediment constituents 54 Table 18 Correlation matrix for sediment constituents and environmental variables 54 Table 19 Results of BIO-ENV test of correlation between environmental variables and the sediment constituents 55 Table 20 Correlation matrix for SEDCON Index functional groups with environmental variables 56 Table 21 Within group similarity of SIMPER defined groups for the live symbiont-bearing foraminiferal assemblage 59 Table 22 Means for density, diversity, and environmental data for LSF assemblage SIMPER groups 60 Table 23 Correlation matrix for foraminiferal taxa and sediment constituents 63 Table 24 One Way ANOVAs for a) SEDCON Index replicates and b) FORAM Index replicates 66 Table 25 Summary table for percent contribution of foraminiferal taxa to each SIMPER group 69 Table 26 Comparison of three different methods of calculating the FORAM Index 73 Table 27 Summary of data presented in this report as rankings 88 iv LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Ozone anomaly at 45°N 4 Figure 2 South Florida, Biscayne National Park 5 Figure 3 Sampling sites in Biscayne National Park 15 Figure 4 Percent mud in sediments from patch reefs of Biscayne National Park 26 Figure 5 Contours of a) salinity and b) temperature data collected during sampling 28 Figure 6 MDS plot of reefs represented by their SIMPER groups defined by similarity of foraminiferal assemblages 30 Figure 7 Sample sites with more than 50 forams represented by their foraminiferal assemblage SIMPER groups 35 Figure 8 Contours of FORAM Index values 47 Figure 9 Percentages of sediment constituents for sites with highest and lowest percentages of unidentifiable grains 49 Figure 10 MDS plot of reefs represented by their SIMPER groups defined by similarity of sediment constituents 50 Figure 11 Contours of SEDCON Index values 57 Figure 12 MDS plot of reefs represented by their SIMPER groups defined by similarity of live symbiont-bearing foraminiferal assemblage 58 Figure 13 Sites represented by their Photic Index relative value 61 Figure 14 FORAM Index values plotted against median grain size represented by Phi values. 72 Figure 15 FORAM Index values plotted against adjusted SEDCON Index values 79 v Figure 16 Schematic of “Goldilocks” scenario reefs now face 81 Figure 17 Densities of Amphistegina gibbosa plotted against depth 83 vi PATCH REEFS IN BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK, FL: SEDIMENTS, FORAMINIFERAL DISTRIBUTIONS AND A COMPARISON OF THREE BIOTIC INDICATORS OF REEF HEALTH Alexa Ramirez ABSTRACT Coral cover remains highest on patch reefs at the northern end of the Florida reef tract. The reasons for this trend are not well understood, but may be related to the protection from extreme variations in water quality parameters provided by the near constant presence of islands at the north extent of the Florida Keys. Three indices have been developed based on Foraminifera and sediment constituents. Two of the indices, the FORAM Index and the SEDCON Index, were developed to indicate the suitability of a reef environment for continued reef accretion. The third index, the Photic Index, is an assessment of photic stress on reefs based on incidence of bleaching in a species of Foraminifera, Amphistegina gibbosa , which is known to experience loss of algal endosymbionts similar to bleaching in corals. Patch reefs were sampled in Biscayne National Park, FL to assess sediment characteristics and foraminiferal assemblages, as well as to examine trends in the three indices. Sediments associated with a majority (59%) of reefs were coarse sands; muddy sediments were restricted to a few inner patch reefs that were isolated from the influence of Caesar’s Creek, which flushes water from inside Biscayne Bay onto the open shelf. Unidentifiable grains predominated in the sediment constituents, along with calcareous vii algae and molluskan debris. Shells from 82 genera of Foraminifera were identified in the sediments. Quinqueloculina was the most consistently common genus. Percent mud was the single most influential measured variable on the distribution of both sediment constituents and foraminiferal assemblages.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Socan Monitoring Workshop
    SOCAN MONITORING WORKSHOP Image credit: Lauren Valentino, NOAA/AOML 2/28/17 WorksHop Report SOCAN MONITORING WORKSHOP SOCAN MONITORING WORKSHOP IDENTIFYING PRIORITY LOCATIONS FOR OCEAN ACIDIFICATION MONITORING IN THE U.S. SOUTHEAST SUMMARY The Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network (SOCAN) held a worksHop in CHarleston, SoutH Carolina to facilitate discussion on priority locations for ocean acidification monitoring in tHe SoutHeast. The discussion included identification of key gradients in physical, chemical and biological parameters along tHe SoutHeast coast, a review of current monitoring efforts, and an assessment of stakeHolder needs. Sixteen monitoring locations were identified as potential acidification monitoring locations (see page 12). The following three monitoring locations were HigHligHted as priority sites tHat would furtHer our understanding of the chemistry and regional drivers of ocean acidification and address stakeholder needs: (1) Sapelo Island, GA (2) Gulf Stream, offsHore of Gray’s Reef, GA (3) Biscayne National Park, FL The workshop concluded witH a discussion of logistics and opportunities to pursue monitoring at tHe recommended locations. A copy of tHe agenda is included in Appendix 1. PROCEEDINGS Approximately 16 experts gatHered for tHe SOCAN Monitoring Workshop to outline recommendations for priority ocean acidification monitoring locations in tHe SoutHeast (Attendee List, Appendix 2). The worksHop began witH introductory remarks regarding tHe structure and responsibilities of SOCAN and SECOORA. Following the introductory remarks, participants reviewed the proposed agenda; no modifications were made. The first half-day was spent reviewing tHe state of ocean acidification science and regional response. Kim Yates sHared a syntHesis of tHe 2016 SOCAN State of the Science meeting, wHicH included a review of webinars and key findings related to OA chemistry, modeling and organismal response.
    [Show full text]
  • Biscayne National Park's Fishery Management Plan
    WATER Credit: iStock.com/Matt_Potenski Biscayne National Park’s Fishery 77% Management Plan OF 35 FISH STOCKS STUDIED Biscayne National Park is a national treasure 5 WITHIN THE PARK ened, some on the verge of collapse. If ac- and home to part of the third largest barrier tion isn’t taken and fish populations and ARE OVERFISHED, reef ecosystem in the world. 95% water, MOST CAPTURED habitat health continue to decline, the Park Biscayne is the largest marine park in the BEFORE THEY Service will have failed at its fundamental National Park System, created to protect, “a HAD A CHANCE TO mission to protect Biscayne National Park in SPAWN.1 rare combination of terrestrial, marine, and perpetuity for all Americans. Implementing amphibious life in a tropical setting of great a marine reserve and science-based fisheries natural beauty” for present and future management policies are key to protecting 3 generations. In addition to its ecological and restoring Biscayne’s marine resources. value, the park is a significant economic 95% driver, supporting a variety of economic and Biscayne’s Fishery Management Plan DECLINE IN REEF recreation activities, such as fishing, diving, Biscayne National Park’s Fishery Manage- FISH CATCHES IN snorkeling, and boating. According to a ment Plan (FMP), finalized back in 2014, BISCAYNE SINCE National Park Service report, in 2018 over aims to increase the average size and abun- THE 1960s.2 450,000 visitors to Biscayne spent more than dance of target fish species in the park by $30 million, supporting 398 local jobs and 20% by creating park-specific fisheries man- generating more than $42 million for the lo- agement regulations and reducing fishing- cal economy.4 related habitat degradation.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Natural Resource Conditions in and Adjacent to Biscayne National Park Natural Resource Report NPS/BISC/NRR—2012/598 Peter W
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Assessment of Natural Resource Conditions In and Adjacent to Biscayne National Park Natural Resource Report NPS/BISC/NRR—2012/598 Peter W. Harlem, Joseph N. Boyer, Henry O. Briceño, James W. Fourqurean, Piero R. Gardinali, Rudolph Jaffé, John F. Meeder, Michael S. Ross Southeast Environmental Research Center Florida International University Miami, FL 33199 December 2012 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado Pg. xxiii Executive Summary This report is an assessment of the conditions of natural resources in Biscayne National Park (BNP) based on the compilation, review and evaluation of existing information on the Park’s natural resources. This review evaluates threats and stressors, and is intended to improve understanding of BNP resources to help guide Park management to address the identified threats, which are supported by enhanced data collection, research and assessment efforts. The report is focused on broad resource components, namely terrestrial resources and aquatic systems including: wetlands, canals, bay waters, marine/reef areas and ground waters. Biotic and abiotic resource components are considered in the review. The objectives of the assessment are to: Provide a review/compilation of existing information on BNP natural resources. Provide a list and description of threats/stressors to these resources. Develop a semi-quantitative ranking of the threats to resource components and the extent of existing information. Identify research needs based on information gaps and degree of threat to the resources. There are many threats to the resources of BNP and many gaps in our knowledge of the functioning of the Biscayne Bay ecosystem.
    [Show full text]
  • Biscayne National Park National Park Service
    National Park Service Marine Reserves for People A National Park Perspective Biscayne National Park National Park Service Mark Lewis Superintendent Biscayne National Park [email protected] 786-335-3643 Biscayne National Park National Park Service From just south of Key Biscayne to just north of Key Largo. Biscayne National Park National Park Service Adjacent to approx 3 million people Biscayne National Park National Park Service Biscayne National Park • preserves and protects 173,000 acres of reefs, islands and most of Biscayne Bay; • contains over 5,000 patch reefs; • is the largest tropical marine park in the National Park system; • is a tourism, recreation & education destination for over ½ million people each year. Biscayne National Park National Park Service Mission of the National Park Service ...to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. Biscayne National Park National Park Service Why consider a marine reserve for Biscayne NP? The purpose of the marine reserve would be to provide the public the opportunity to experience a healthy, natural reef with a wide diversity of fish species and sizes; Biscayne National Park National Park Service Why consider a marine reserve for Biscayne NP? to create an area of the park where visitors can experience greater abundance, larger individuals, and higher diversity of fishes, corals, and other organisms. Biscayne National Park National Park Service Why consider a marine reserve for Biscayne NP? If you go to Yellowstone NP you expect to see bison; If you go to Redwoods NP you expect to see giant trees; Biscayne National Park National Park Service Why consider a marine reserve for Biscayne NP? If you go to the largest tropical marine park in the national park system, you expect to see healthy coral reefs teeming with diverse and large fish.
    [Show full text]
  • Biscayne National Park, Florida
    National Park Service Biscayne U.S. Department of the Interior Camping Guide to Biscayne National Park Boca Chita Key Tent camping is permitted in designated areas on Elliott and Boca Chita Keys. These islands are accessible by boat only. Camping is limited to fourteen (14) consecutive days or no more than thirty (30) days within a calendar year. Reservations are not accepted. The sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No services are available on the islands. Facilities Elliott Key: Freshwater toilets, cold water showers, and drinking water are available. Boca Chita Key: Saltwater toilets are available. Sinks, showers and drinking water are NOT available. Fees There is a $15 per night per campsite camping fee. The fee includes a standard campsite (up to 6 people and 2 tents). If docking a boat overnight, there is a $20 fee that includes one night camping. Group campsites (30 people and 5 tents) are $30 per night on Elliott Key. Group campsite is available by reservation only (305) 230-1144 x 008. Holders of the Interagency Senior or Access passes receive a 50% discount on camping and marina use fees. The fee is paid at the self- service fee station on each island. It is your responsibility to make sure that your fees are paid. NPS rangers will verify payment compliance. Camping/marina use fees must be paid PRIOR to 5 p.m. daily. Anyone who arrives after 5 p.m. must pay camping/ marina use fees immediately upon arrival. Any vessel in the harbor after 5 p.m.
    [Show full text]
  • Biscayne National Park U.S
    National Park Service Biscayne National Park U.S. Department of the Interior South Florida Natural Resources Center Freshwater Discharge and Protecting the Coastal Ecosystem in Biscayne National Park Erik Stabenau, Ph.D., Oceanographer National Park Service South Florida Natural Resource Center Everglades & Biscayne National Parks 950 N. Krome Ave, Homestead, FL 33030 Requests to: [email protected] (305)224-4209 Overview Ecological & Hydrologic Targets for Western Biscayne National Park Consideration for downstream ecosystem in water management – Specific conditions and goals – Triggers for dry season flow Multiple lines of evidence – Sensitivity to system during dry season – Quantity and timing Biscayne National Park South Florida Natural Resources Center Biscayne National Park South Florida Natural Resources Center ~1900 1996 Changes in the Nearshore Areas Historic trend of increasing salinity in the nearshore zone 1900 Mesohaline conditions (5 to 18 PSU) 1996 Polyhaline conditions (18-30 PSU) USGS Circular 1275, Impact of anthropogenic development on coastal groundwater hydrology in Southeastern Florida, 1900 – 2000. Biscayne National Park South Florida Natural Resources Center Impacts Changing habitat and reduced diversity Biscayne National Park South Florida Natural Resources Center Ecology and Salinity Late dry season target: Average monthly salinity from 15 to 25 PSU. Never exceed 30 PSU Figure 5 from “Ecological Targets…” report summarizes the optimal salinity range for a variety of species in the coastal zone. Biscayne National
    [Show full text]
  • In Florida Archaeology
    Indigenous Florida Panhandle Tomoka Northeastern Florida Shipwreck Trail Archaeology Project 2021 IN FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY Saving Angola Community-based Archaeology as Grassroots Activism FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE ON THE COVER EDITORS’ NOTE A barrel well was among the important features uncovered during excavation of the Angola site in Bradenton. Once cleared of soil, water seeped into the well as it had in the past, TABLE OF reflecting the image of a modern archaeologist. Courtesy of Sherry Robinson Svekis CONTENTS BACK COVER NOAA archaeologists record two shipwreck INDIGENOUS sites in the Florida Keys National Marine 02 Sanctuary. Courtesy of Brenda Altmeier (top) NORTHEASTERN FLORIDA and Matt Lawrence (bottom) Searching for a Mocama Indian Community FROM PALEO-INDIAN ANNE V. STOKES, PH.D. KC SMITH 08 TO PROTOHISTORIC FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY St. Vincent Island’s Enduring OF DIRECTORS AND CEO OF SEARCH BOARD OF DIRECTORS Native Occupation As with everything in the past year, the covid pandemic Digital History Project highlighted by KC Smith is a wonderful upended archaeological research. Field schools were resource for researchers. FLORIDA PANHANDLE cancelled or postponed; contract firms worked on fewer 14 infrastructure projects; and research-related travel came Fred Gaske’s article illustrates how a seemingly unimportant SHIPWRECK TRAIL to a halt. However, while archaeologists worldwide groused artifact can tell a rich story and add new interpretation to a A Bridge between the Archaeological about the pandemic’s effects, the pause in field studies site. It also illustrates the importance of context within history and Artificial actually allowed folks to catch up on lab work, think about and archaeology.
    [Show full text]
  • Cooperative Federalism in Biscayne National Park
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by University of New Mexico Volume 56 Issue 1 National Parks at the Centennial Winter 2016 Cooperative Federalism in Biscayne National Park Ryan B. Stoa Recommended Citation Ryan B. Stoa, Cooperative Federalism in Biscayne National Park, 56 Nat. Resources J. 81 (2016). Available at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/nrj/vol56/iss1/7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Journals at UNM Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Natural Resources Journal by an authorized editor of UNM Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Ryan B. Stoa* COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK ABSTRACT Biscayne National Park is the largest marine national park in the United States. It contains four distinct ecosystems, encompasses 173,000 acres (only five percent of which are land), and is located within densely populated Miami-Dade County. The bay has a rich history of natural resource utilization, but aggressive residential and industrial development schemes prompted Congress to create Biscayne National Monument in 1968, followed by the designation of Biscayne National Park in 1980. When the dust settled, Florida retained key management powers over the Park, including joint authority over fishery management. States and the federal government occasionally share responsibility for regulating natural resources, but Biscayne National Park represents a unique case study in cooperative federalism. This article explores these cooperative federalism contours in order to assess whether the park’s management paradigm provides a model worthy of replication.
    [Show full text]
  • Biscayne National Park from Proposed South Miami-Dade County Development, and Derivation of Numeric Nutrient Criteria for South Florida Estuaries and Coastal Waters
    Ecological Impacts on Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park from Proposed South Miami-Dade County Development, and Derivation of Numeric Nutrient Criteria for South Florida Estuaries and Coastal Waters Final Report A report prepared by the Southeast Environmental Research Center of Florida International University for the National Park Service, South Florida Natural Resources Center and the South Florida/Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit by Henry O. Briceño, Joseph N. Boyer and Peter Harlem December, 2011 Department of the Interior National Park Service South Florida Natural Resources Center and South Florida/Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Host: University - H5000 – 06- 5040 TASK AGREEMENT NO: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO: EFFECTIVE DATES: J5297-08-0085 H5000-06-0104 3/20/08- 12/31/11 Florida International University Henry O. Briceno, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Principal Investigator Southeast Environmental Research Center 11200 SW 8th St, OE #148, Miami, Florida 33199 Phone: (305) 348-1269; Fax: (305) 348-4096 Email: [email protected] Joseph N. Boyer, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Dept. Earth & Environment Director of SERC Southeast Environmental Research Center 11200 SW 8th St, OE #148, Miami, Florida 33199 Phone: (305) 348-3095; Fax: 305-348-4096 Email: [email protected] National Park Service Joffre Castro, Ph.D. P.E. South Florida Ecosystem Office Everglades National Park 950 N Krome Ave.; 3rd Floor Homestead, Florida 33030, Miami, Florida 33199 Phone: (305) 224-4247 Email: [email protected] DISCLAIMER: Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations and data in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK the Florida Keys Begin with Soldier Key in the Northern Section of the Park and Continue to the South and West
    CHAPTER TWO: BACKGROUND HISTORY GEOLOGY AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK The Florida Keys begin with Soldier Key in the northern section of the Park and continue to the south and west. The upper Florida Keys (from Soldier to Big Pine Key) are the remains of a shallow coral patch reef that thrived one hundred thousand or more years ago, during the Pleistocene epoch. The ocean level subsided during the following glacial period, exposing the coral to die in the air and sunlight. The coral was transformed into a stone often called coral rock, but more correctly termed Key Largo limestone. The other limestones of the Florida peninsula are related to the Key Largo; all are basically soft limestones, but with different bases. The nearby Miami oolitic limestone, for example, was formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from seawater into tiny oval particles (oolites),2 while farther north along the Florida east coast the coquina of the Anastasia formation was formed around the shells of Pleistocene sea creatures. When the first aboriginal peoples arrived in South Florida approximately 10,000 years ago, Biscayne Bay was a freshwater marsh or lake that extended from the rocky hills of the present- day keys to the ridge that forms the current Florida coast. The retreat of the glaciers brought about a gradual rise in global sea levels and resulted in the inundation of the basin by seawater some 4,000 years ago. Two thousand years later, the rising waters levelled off, leaving the Florida Keys, mainland, and Biscayne Bay with something similar to their current appearance.3 The keys change.
    [Show full text]
  • An Environmental Education Program Engaging Stakeholders with Biscayne National Park, FL Krystle Anne Young University of Miami, [email protected]
    University of Miami Scholarly Repository Open Access Theses Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2019-05-05 Biodiversity Counts! An Environmental Education Program Engaging Stakeholders with Biscayne National Park, FL Krystle Anne Young University of Miami, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarlyrepository.miami.edu/oa_theses Recommended Citation Young, Krystle Anne, "Biodiversity Counts! An Environmental Education Program Engaging Stakeholders with Biscayne National Park, FL" (2019). Open Access Theses. 764. https://scholarlyrepository.miami.edu/oa_theses/764 This Open access is brought to you for free and open access by the Electronic Theses and Dissertations at Scholarly Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Open Access Theses by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI BIODIVERSITY COUNTS! AN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS WITH BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK, FL By Krystle Anne Young A THESIS Submitted to the Faculty of the University of Miami in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Coral Gables, Florida May 2019 ©2019 Krystle Anne Young All Rights Reserved UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science BIODIVERSITY COUNTS! AN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS WITH BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK, FL Krystle Anne Young Approved: ________________ _________________ Kathleen Sealey, Ph.D. Don DeAngelis, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biology Research Professor of Biology ________________ _________________ Keene Haywood, Ph.D. Guillermo Prado, Ph.D. Sr. Lecturer Dean of the Graduate School Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society YOUNG, KRYSTLE ANNE (M.S., Biology) Biodiversity Counts! A Program Environmental (May 2019) Education Program Engaging Stakeholders with Biscayne National Park, FL Abstract of a thesis at the University of Miami.
    [Show full text]
  • Ambrose 0Front I-Xviii.Pmd
    Contents Foreword xvii 1. Florida as an Ecotourism Destination 1 Part 1. Northwestern Florida 2. The Panhandle’s Pitcher Plant Prairies 11 Blackwater River State Park, Blackwater River State Forest Sidetrips: Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park, Garcon Point, Clear Creek Nature Trail, Eglin Air Force Base, Blackwater Heritage Trail State Park 3. Emerald Coast 20 Gulf Islands National Seashore, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, St. Andrews State Park Sidetrips: Perdido Key State Park, Big Lagoon State Park, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Point Washington State Forest, Pine Log State Forest, Deer Lake State Park 4. Forgotten Coast 34 T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Sidetrips: Dead Lakes Recreation Area, St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve 5. Apalachicola National Forest 44 Sidetrips: Tate’s Hell State Forest, Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area 6. Apalachicola River Lands 52 Three Rivers State Park, Torreya State Park, Florida Caverns State Park Sidetrips: Falling Waters State Park, Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve 7. Big Bend Territory 60 St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Big Bend Wildlife Management Area Sidetrips: Econfina River State Park, Ochlockonee River State Park, Bald Point State Park, Aucilla Wildlife Management Area Part 2. Northern Florida 8. Upper Suwannee River 71 Suwannee River State Park, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, Big Shoals State Park Sidetrips: Osceola National Forest, Ichetucknee Springs State Park, O’Leno State Park/ River Rise Preserve, Ginnie Springs Outdoors 9.
    [Show full text]