Fmnp - Coastal Systems - Coastal Uplands

Florida has the most barrier islands because it is a peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. This geographical location makes it prone to the formation of barrier islands, which are long, narrow strips of land that run parallel to the mainland. Florida's extensive coastline and its proximity to warm ocean currents contribute to the formation and abundance of barrier islands in the state. These islands provide important protection against coastal erosion and storm surges, making them a significant feature of Florida's coastal geography.

The plant pictured is a Sea Grape.

Coastal Uplands can be broadly divided into three habitat zones: Beach and Fore Dune, Transitional Zone, and Maritime Forest. These habitat zones represent different areas within the coastal uplands ecosystem. The Beach and Fore Dune zone is located closest to the shoreline and is characterized by sandy beaches and dunes. The Transitional Zone is the area between the beach and the maritime forest, where there is a transition from sandy areas to more vegetated areas. The Maritime Forest zone is the furthest from the shoreline and consists of dense vegetation and trees adapted to the coastal environment.

The bird shown in the video is a Black Skimmer. We can identify it by its distinctive black and white plumage, long wings, and unique bill shape. The bill is orange with a black tip, which is a key characteristic of Black Skimmers. They use their bill to skim the water's surface while flying, catching fish and other small prey. Additionally, Black Skimmers are known for their distinctive flight pattern, with their lower mandible dragging in the water.

The plant pictured below is identified as Wild Coffee.

The correct answer is the mean high tide line and the beginning of estuarine or terrestrial upland habitats. Coastal uplands are the areas between the mean high tide line and the beginning of estuarine or terrestrial upland habitats. This means that it includes the transitional zone between the ocean and land, where the influence of tides is still felt but the habitat begins to shift towards terrestrial or estuarine environments.

The transitional zone tends to be more diverse than the fore dune area because it is an area of transition between different ecosystems. It is a zone where different plant and animal species from the dune area and the inland area mix and interact. This mixing of species leads to a higher diversity of organisms in the transitional zone compared to the fore dune area, which is more exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

The correct answer is Beach Morning Glory. The explanation for this is that the plant pictured is endemic to the beach and fore dune areas. The name "Beach Morning Glory" accurately describes the plant's habitat and appearance, as it is commonly found in coastal regions and has large, trumpet-shaped flowers that resemble morning glory flowers.

An underground stem is commonly known as a rhizome. Rhizomes are horizontal stems that grow underground and have nodes from which roots and shoots can develop. They are typically found in plants like ginger, ferns, and bamboo. Rhizomes play a crucial role in plant propagation and survival, as they allow the plant to spread and store nutrients.

The correct answer is cabbage palm, sabal palmetto, sabal palm. The cabbage palm, scientifically known as sabal palmetto, is the state tree of Florida. It is a tall, slender palm tree with a single trunk and large, fan-shaped leaves. The cabbage palm is native to the southeastern United States, including Florida, and is commonly found in coastal areas and swamps. It is a symbol of the state's natural beauty and resilience, making it a fitting choice for the state tree.

The Royal Tern is the correct answer because it is known to nest in beach and fore dune areas. This bird is commonly found along coastlines and is known for its distinctive black cap and orange bill. It is a seabird that relies on these nesting sites for breeding and raising its young.

A halophyte is a plant that is able to tolerate brackish water or a salty environment. These plants have adapted to survive in high salt concentrations by developing mechanisms to exclude or tolerate salt. They are often found in coastal areas or salt marshes where the soil has high salt content. Halophytes are able to thrive in these environments where other plants would not be able to survive.

The correct answer is erosion due to storms and heavy wave action and human trampling. These two factors pose significant threats to beach and fore dune habitats. Storms and heavy wave action can erode the shoreline, leading to the loss of sand and vegetation on the dunes. This can disrupt the delicate ecosystem and destroy nesting sites for birds. Human trampling, especially in heavily visited areas, can also damage the vegetation and disturb wildlife, further impacting the habitat. These threats highlight the importance of conservation efforts to protect and preserve these fragile coastal ecosystems.

Prickly Pear Cactus are an important source of food for the gopher tortoise. This means that gopher tortoises rely on the prickly pear cactus as a significant part of their diet. The prickly pear cactus likely provides essential nutrients and hydration for the tortoises, making it a crucial food source for their survival.

Pioneer plants are the correct answer because they are the first plants to colonize and establish themselves in an area that has been disturbed or lacks vegetation. In the case of the beach and fore dune areas, these are often harsh environments with shifting sands, strong winds, and salt spray. Pioneer plants are adapted to these conditions and are able to grow and survive in such challenging habitats. They play a crucial role in stabilizing the sand and creating conditions for other plant species to establish and thrive.

Coastal uplands habitats share several characteristics. Firstly, they are hot and dry environments, which means they have high temperatures and limited rainfall. Secondly, the soils in these habitats are nutrient poor and porous, meaning they have low fertility and are easily drained. Additionally, coastal uplands often have pockets of watery pools, which can provide habitats for certain species. Lastly, these habitats are exposed to salt spray, which is a result of the proximity to the ocean. The combination of these characteristics creates a unique and challenging environment for plants and animals to adapt to.

Saw Palmetto can live to be over 700 years old. This indicates that the plant has a long lifespan and can survive for several centuries. Additionally, a portion of the plant lives underground in order to protect the "growth bud." This underground protection ensures the survival and growth of the plant.

The correct answer is that the Maritime forest habitat has the oldest and most stable soil in the coastal systems habitat, is a product of time and succession (its a climax community), and has a tree composition that varies throughout the state. This suggests that the Maritime forest habitat has been established for a long time and has undergone a series of changes and developments over time. The variation in tree composition throughout the state indicates that different factors such as climate, soil type, and disturbance history have influenced the composition of trees in different areas.

Barrier Islands may form off the coast of Florida due to sea level rise that creates lagoons behind coastal dunes and the isolation of "spits" of land from the mainland due to the formation of natural (or created) inlets. As sea levels rise, the water can flood behind the coastal dunes, creating lagoons. Over time, sediment builds up and forms barrier islands. Additionally, the formation of natural or created inlets can isolate portions of land from the mainland, leading to the development of barrier islands.

Sea Oats perform the important function of stabilizing moving sand. The extensive root system of Sea Oats helps to anchor the sand in place, preventing erosion and the shifting of sand dunes. This is particularly crucial in coastal areas where strong winds and tides can easily displace sand. Additionally, Sea Oats provide food for beach mice, which are an important part of the coastal ecosystem. They also provide nesting material for the endangered Florida Scrub Jay, which relies on the stability and protection of the sand dunes for its habitat.