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The Florida Reef Tract : 

The Florida Reef Tract

The Florida Reef Tract : 

The Florida Reef Tract 3rd largest reef system in the world Parallels exposed ancient reef (The Florida Keys) Extends 356km from Miami to Dry Tortugas 6,000 species of plants and animals in waters of FL Keys Approx. 1700 islands Between 24 & 24 degrees N. Latitude

Geological History : 

Geological History 1.8 million years ago to 10,000 years ago Pleistocene Ice Ages Large sea level fluctuation Reef establishment along FL Platform – subtropical, warm, nutrient-rich waters Dead corals provided good foundation for new coral growth Key Largo Limestone 75-200 ft thick Last major sea level drop exposed FL Keys

Geology : 

Geology Upper and Middle Keys - Key Largo Limestone – skeletal remains of corals, invertebrate shells, marine plant and algal debris, and lime-sand Lower Keys – Miami Oolite – well sorted ooids, with other skeletal material and some quartz sand Paleo tidal bars – sandy and oolite shoal traversed by many channels

Geology : 

Geology Key Largo Limestone Miami Oolite

Geology : 

Geology Windley Key Geological Park Limestone quarry provided railroad bridge supports for Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad Decorative Keystone quarried until 1960’s Limestone cutter

Marine Habitats : 

Marine Habitats Coral Reefs Seagrass Beds Mangroves (Mangal) Submerged Resources

Coral Reef Zonation : 

Coral Reef Zonation Light intensity and wavelength Wave energy Water Temperature

Hardbottom : 

Hardbottom Close to shore Low species diversity Dominated by gorgonians, algae, sponges Gorgoniancourtesy Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Patch Reefs : 

Patch Reefs Shallow water Nearshore Grow upward then expand outward

Bank Reefs : 

Bank Reefs Spur & Groove Formation High Species Diversity Coral zonation by depth Presence of Elkhorn Coral

Human Impacts on Reefs : 

Human Impacts on Reefs Pollution Overfishing Tourism Aquarium/Souvenir Trade Global Climate Change – Coral Bleaching Introduced Species

Seagrass Beds : 

Seagrass Beds Stabilize Sediments Water Clarity Food and Shelter

Human Impact on Seagrass Beds : 

Human Impact on Seagrass Beds Dredging and Filling Propeller Scaring Eutrophication – high nutrients, low oxygen

Mangroves : 

Mangroves Shoreline Protection Nursery Threatened and Endangered Species

Human Impact on Mangroves : 

Human Impact on Mangroves Dredging Water Pollution Urban Development Oil surrounding mangroves Urban encroachment

Submerged Resources : 

Submerged Resources Adolphus Busch Wreck – 210 ft freighter intentionally sunk in 1998 to create an artificial reef

Looe Key Marine Sanctuary : 

Looe Key Marine Sanctuary 7,000 years of coral growth Protected area of high ecological importance Pristine example of Patch and Bank Reef in Lower Keys Many endangered species

Looe Key : 

Looe Key

Looe Key : 

Looe Key R/V Columbus Iselin – ran aground August 1994 Severe scar damage – 6 scars on 4 coral spurs $4 mil. Natural resource damage claim Restoration project implemented to physically rebuild reef

Looe Key Restoration Project : 

Looe Key Restoration Project Limestone boulders emplaced 68 Coral colonies transplanted

Terrestrial Habitats : 

Terrestrial Habitats Upland forests Inland Wetlands Shoreline Zones Soils can range from sand to marl to rich, decomposed leaf litter

Upland Forests : 

Upland Forests Hardwood hammock West Indian Origin High Productivity Shallow Soil

Inland Wetlands : 

Inland Wetlands Stormwater Storage Freshwater Lens Rare Plants and Unique Communities

Invasive Species : 

Invasive Species

Invasive Species : 

Invasive Species Australian Pine Brazilian Pepper Burma Reed

Invasive Species : 

Invasive Species Gambian Pouched Rat

Invasive Species : 

Invasive Species Green Iguana

Invasive Species : 

Invasive Species Burmese Python

Invasive Species : 

Invasive Species Gypsy Chicken

Invasive Species : 

Invasive Species