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8/2/2019 The Mega Doc

1/17

EMMERSON POINT:

BEACH AND DUNE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:Narrow sandy beach (18ft width) gently sloping with a ridge marking start of vegetated dune(10cm width). One large Sea Grape, two Black Mangroves present. Large amounts of Marram Grass present. Boardwalk intersects the study site. There is a trash line before theridge. Few pieces of litter mainly plastic. Lots of crabs and mollusc shells.

SOIL DESCRIPTION:Sandy, yellowy grey, organic matter present in top layer.

HUMAN ACTIVITY:Dog walkers, fishing, sunbathers, walkers, 1 tractor.

QUADRAT SAMPLING:Size = e.g. 5ft by 5ft

Quadrat Number: Plant Identified: Percentage Cover:1 Marram Grass 70%

Dead vegetation/leaf litter 5%Sand 25%

2 Dune Sunflower 30%

Marram Grass 60%Bare soil 10%

3 Marram Grass 50%Dead vegetation/leaf litter 10%

Unidentified plant 1 15%Unidentified plant 2 25%

4 Knot Grass 30%Dead vegetation/leaf litter 25%

Bare sand 15%Rock 25%

Salt water 5%

BIRD SURVEY:Bird Species: Number:Cormorant 2

Laughing Gull 12Pelican 3

Great Blue Heron 1Tree Swallow 3

Royal Tern 7


2/17

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:Ecosystem Service: What provides this service and how?

Provisioning services ornamental ShellsProvisioning services food (fish) Sea (human activity survey)

Regulatory services water regulation Buffer from run-off from car parkRegulatory services natural hazard

regulationBeach and vegetation on dune dissipate tidal energy

and can reduce storm surges from hurricanesRegulatory services erosion regulation Vegetation stabilises the dune

Regulatory services decomposition Leaf litter identified (largely on dune)Regulatory services maintenance of

biodiversityNot a monoculture of Marram Grass although it

does dominate there are various species of plantsCultural services recreation and tourism See human activity section

Regulatory services aesthetic experiences Views from the beach out onto the oceanRegulatory services science and education

Supporting services soil formation On dunesSupporting services primary production LowSupporting services nutrient cycling Plants and leaf litter presentSupporting services photosynthesis Dune is vegetated

Supporting services provision of habitats Benthic communities, wading birds (bird survey)

ANY OTHER DATA COLLECTED:Will put up the pictures of each transect site and the two unidentified plants.


3/17

EMERSON POINT

MANGROVE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:Pools of stagnant water 10cm deepLots of root nodules currently unidentifiedMoist peaty and clay soil typeWater table is at or very near to land levelThick undergrowth, lots of shoots, lots of mangroves. Trees are dense and tightly packedtogether. Few palms and sea grapes.Log matter in saline waterLizards spotted

Some clearings in the forestSalt and sulphur smell

SOIL DESCRIPTION:Peaty/clay soil. Very dark brown, small particle size, moist

HUMAN ACTIVITY:Some fisherman and dog walkers pass through. Observed no one stopping in forest

QUADRAT SAMPLING:Size = 3m by 3m

1 grid reference 136230/35465080% canopy cover4 red mangroves2 white mangroves25/30 black mangrove shoots

Waxy/oval leavesHigh amounts of dead leaf and plant matterHanging branchesDead horseshoe crab

2 grid reference 136260/35470060% canopy cover2 black mangroves2 red mangroves100+ shootsLots of dead leaf matter/ water at surface/salineEvidence of hurricane fallout


4/17

3 - 90% canopy cover3 red mangroves3 white mangrovesSome Spanish moss50-100 root nodules, 20 shootsVery damp50% covered organic/dead matterDetritous Material

4 100% canopy cover2 higher elevation than other sites 4 red mangrovesDead black mangroves2 lizardsFew root projectionsWater level a bit below surface level

BIRD SURVEY:No birds spotted

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:Storm/hurricane protectionSediment trappingWater quality alterationNutrient removalResearchAir qualitySlows floodingWater purificationScientificSoil formationPrimary productionO productionCarbon store

De-nitrificationSeagrass regulationSulphurFishingAesphetics


5/17

EMERSON POINT.

COASTAL UPLAND.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:

Flat area with sparse trees but dense grasses. No soil evident at surface. Pavement and roadnext to area.

SOIL DESCRIPTION:

Coarse, sandy soil with some larger sand particles.

HUMAN ACTIVITY:

Dog-walking / cycling / walking / bird-watching / canoeing / conservation activity (guycleaning the road & moving stuff with tractor)

QUADRAT SAMPLING:Size = 3m x 3m

Quadrat Number: Plant Identified: Percentage Cover:Q1 grasses (3 different species) 40%

shrubs (4 species) 35%trees (1 species) 10%climbing plants (1 species) 5%short plants (3 species) 5%tall plant (1 species) 5%

Q2 trees (2 species) 40%grasses (3 species) 30%shrubs (3 species) 20%short plants (2 species) 10%

Q3 shrubs (3 species) 30%trees (2 species) 25%tall plants (3 species) 20%short plants (3 species) 10%grasses (4 species) 25%

Percentage cover is approximate.Tree species include: cabbage palm, saw palmettoShort plants include: Black-eyed Susan, Late Bonniset, ferns

BIRD SURVEY:Birds spotted in/around the pond, adjacent to the plant-diversity-sampling sites.


6/17

Bird Species: Number:Duck 7Egret 2Heron 1Vulture 2


Air quality regulation Intake of carbon dioxide by plantsClimate regulation Greenhouse gas sequestrationWater regulation Vegetation cover allowing infiltration,

preventing runoff Erosion regulation Binding of soil by plant roots

Maintenance of biodiversity Variety of grasses and treesRecreation and tourism Cycling, birdwatching, walking; often passedby vehicles on way to the car park at the endof the point

Social relations Bird watching, familiesScience and education Different ecosystem in relatively close

proximity to other habitats allowingcomparison

Soil formation Limited soil formation due to decay of plantmatter little soil formation as soil well

drained, very sandyPrimary production Growth of vegetationNutrient cycling Uptake of nutrients by plants, use of

nutrients, input to soil by vegetationPhotosynthesis (production of atmosphericoxygen)

Grasses and trees

Provision of habitats Invertebrates, snakesProtection from Suns UV rays Shading from trees, increased near to

ground due to dense undergrowthPollination and seed dispersal Dispersal of seeds and pollen from

vegetation

ANY OTHER DATA COLLECTED:Private Beaches all along the coast in the more urbanised areas, so Emerson Point is one of the truly public access beaches. Accessible to all. Osprey stand and nesting point to attractrare birds. Popular with the retired generation. Wood Duck nesting boxes provided on thesmall lagoon. Wood Ducks nest in summer, high up in the boxes, as there is a decreasingnumber of nest holes in trees etc with urbanisation of Florida. Safe away from predators.When they hatch they fall into the lagoon. Attraction to the area. Rarely seen. Area really

popular with bird watchers and artificial measures have been put in place to attract agreater number of visitors.


7/17

EMMERSON POINT.

RECREATION.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:Flat open green space, horses stable on the land and horses grazing in the area. Thearea was surrounded by houses, as well as forest further in the background.SOIL DESCRIPTION:Sandy, light greyHUMAN ACTIVITY:

Many cyclists and cars going by the area.

QUADRAT SAMPLING:Size: 1x1

Quadrat Number: Plant Identified: Percentage Cover:1 7 100% Grass2 6 100% Grass3 7 100% Grass

BIRD SURVEY:Bird Species: Number:

Cattle Egret 17Birds of prey (not sure of species) 4


Regulatory services Water regulation - Large area of grassland

able to provide sufficient to protect the areafrom flooding. Maintenance of biodiversity regularly grazed by animals, helps managethe vegetation

Supporting services Soil formation - it was evident that the areawas sand before but soil is forming, as thereis vegetation diversity.

Cultural services There was a stable with horses and the areais primarily used for grazing. Aestheticservices having a home in this area it is anopen space homeowners can appreciate.Community development opportunities.


8/17

Recreation opportunities-sports activities

ANY OTHER DATA COLLECTED:

Info for methods: Quadrat 1 2m from roadsideQuadrat 2 30m from roadsideQuadrat 3 90m from roadside


9/17

FORT DESOTO.

BEACH & SAND DUNES.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:Sandy beach, dune bars with vegetation, surrounds lagoon where sections areprotected for nesting/wading birds.

SOIL DESCRIPTION:Sandy, beige(sand colour)

HUMAN ACTIVITY:Bird watching, fishing, sunbathing, grilled barbeques.

QUADRAT SAMPLING:Size 2m x 2m

Quadrat Number: Plant Identified: Percentage Cover:1 10 50% soil 50% vegetation2 8 80% sand 20% vegetation3 8 65% sand 35% vegetation


Seagulls 30Osprey 1Pelican 2

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:

Ecosystem Service: What provides this service and how?Provisioning services Food- fish in the sea, Ornamental resources provided by the seaRegulatory services Natural Hazard regulation Beach acts as a natural buffer zone

against hurricane & storm surges. Erosion regulation Vegetationand sand help with absorbing wave energy that would otherwisereach human developments.

Cultural services Recreation & Tourism 100s of people coming to visit the stretchof beach, it cost $5 to enter the area by car.

Supporting services Provision for habitats - shallow water area which act as nursery for juvenile fish. Beach is used by migrant birds for nesting.


10/17


Info for methods: Quadrat 1 20m from beachQuadrat 2 25m from beachQuadrat 3 35m from beach


11/17

FORT DESOTO:

LAGOON

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:Small lagoon behind a raised section of beach. Large amount of seagrass in the lagoon withsmall shrubs bordering it. Lots of crabs and mollusc shells. Larger patches of grass (typicallymarram) on the beach barrier. Tadpoles and small fish in the lagoon. There are markings onthe sand suggesting previous area covered by lagoon. Mangrove seeds are also present.

SOIL DESCRIPTION:Sandy, yellow-grey with red tint. Saturated. No organic matter could be identified.

HUMAN ACTIVITY:Bird watchers, dog walkers, walkers, group of people playing some kind of bowls.

QUADRAT SAMPLING:Size = 5ft by 5ft

Quadrat Number: Plant Identified: Percentage Cover:1 Widgeon Grass 5%

Sand 95%2 Widgeon Grass 10%

Sand 90%

3 Turtle Grass 95%Sand 5%

4 Unidentified shrub 1 3%Unidentified shrub 2 2%

Sand 95%


White Ibis 1Pelican 2

Royal Tern 33Laughing Gull 23


Provisioning services ornamental ShellsRegulatory services water regulation

Regulatory services natural hazard regulation Beach barrierCultural services recreation and tourism See human activity surveyCultural services aesthetic experiences

Cultural services social relations See human activity survey


12/17

Cultural services science and educationSupporting services nutrient cycling Low not a huge amount of vegetationSupporting services photosynthesis A large amount of seagrass present in the

lagoonSupporting services pollination and seed

dispersalMangrove seeds present



13/17

FORT DESOTO

WOODS HABITAT

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:Smooth sloping coast. Gradual increase in land height. Lots of crabs present. Somemangrove areas, but many areas without mangroves. Lots of palm trees, very dense in mostareas. Some pine trees near the periphery of forest. Other small sea creatures, lots of grasses and other small plants. Very dense wood apart from man-made track through themiddle. Raised ground in forest with some lower ground, stagnant and muddy water inlower parts. The few mangroves grow in the lower parts. Rabbits present. Varied species of palm trees unidentified currently. Lizards present

SOIL DESCRIPTION:Medium to dark brown, small particle size, sandy to silty

HUMAN ACTIVITY:Very few dog walkers at periphery. No one spotted in forest

QUADRAT SAMPLING:

Size = 3x3m

1 90% canpopy cover9 red mangroves2 white mangrovesFew young mangrovesAbundance of pine treesDead pine tree matter on forest floorNumerous root nodules present

2 50% canopy cover5 palm treesLots of palm litter3 young treesClimbing speciesLow level grassesSome shrub matter

3 60% canopy cover2 short palms2 tall palms1 black mangrove


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3 red mangroves1 white mangroveDead palm leaf matter on forest floorSome other mangrove roots present30 new growthsSandy soil

4 40% canopy cover3 tall palms1 short palm3 red mangroves2 white mangroves50 new shootsSandy soil leading into poolDead palm matterSome root nodulesPossible succession taking place


Ibis 2

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:Storm protectionNursery for other speciesNutrient removalOxidisationBiodiversityAir qualityFlood protectionAesphetics

Scientific researchPrimary productionNutrient restorationO productionCarbon storeDe-nitrification


15/17

FORT DESOTO.

RECREATION AREA.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:

Flat area. Mown grasses, sparsely distributed trees, mixture of both taller and shorter trees.Path through the park allows vehicular access. Playground, car park flat, artificial surfaces.Drainage ditch with longer vegetation, different grasses. Wood chips near playground. Litterbins, pavilions, benches.

SOIL DESCRIPTION:

Silty/sandy soil containing organic matter including plant remnants. Generally dry but withsome areas of increased moisture.

HUMAN ACTIVITY:

Dog-walking / walking / picnic areas / BBQ areas / playground for kids

QUADRAT SAMPLING:Size = 3m x 7.5m (best area to achieve the greatest biodiversity: from the path to the

carpark)

Quadrat Number: Plant Identified: Percentage Cover:Q1 trees (4 species) 30%

grasses (6 species) 70%Q2 trees (2 species) 30%

grasses (5 species) 70%Q3 trees (2 species) 25%

grasses (4 species) 75%Percentage cover is approximate.

Tree species include: cabbage palm, coconut palm (?), longleaf pine(?), another pineGrass species incl: clover, broad-leaf grass, coarse grass, etc


Some seagulls. Plus that stork- type bird during Maxs presentation.


16/17


Air quality regulation Trees and grasses remove carbon dioxidefrom air

Climate regulation Sequestration of carbon dioxideWater regulation Reduction in runoff by vegetation, allowance

of infiltration by vegetationErosion regulation Erosion may occur on bare track through

area, prevented where trees and grassespresent as roots bind soil

Maintenance of biodiversity? Some different grasses and trees, verylimited. Squirrels.

Recreation and tourism Paths, pavilions, playgrounds, benches,walking, dog walking

Aesthetic experiences Wide open space with trees, well litSocial relations Families, dog walkingScience and education Comparison to nearby ecosystemsSoil formation Organic matter in soil, processes due to

vegetationPrimary production VegetationNutrient cycling Uptake of nutrients by plants, use of

nutrients, input to soil by vegetationPhotosynthesis (production of atmosphericoxygen)

Grasses and trees

Provision of habitats Limited; trees may provide nesting for birds,invertebrate habitats

Protection from Su ns UV rays Shading from trees, human structures (?)Pollination and seed dispersal Seed dispersal and pollen from trees and

grasses



17/17

St PETES BEACH.

BEACH.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:Large open space of Sandy beach, some vegetation areas with signs of managementas the area was cordoned off. Highly developed area, T groins on the sea front. Not anatural beach habitat.

SOIL DESCRIPTION:Sandy, beige- colour of sandHUMAN ACTIVITY:Bird watching, dolphin watching, shelling, snorkelling, aqua cycles, kayaksfishing,sunbathing (cabana rentals) , parasailing, advertising by aircrafts.

QUADRAT SAMPLING: No access at this site.Size

Quadrat Number: Plant Identified: Percentage Cover:

BIRD SURVEY:

Bird Species: Number:Seagulls 40Great Egret 1Pelican 6


Regulating services Natural Hazard regulation - The barrier

island acts a buffer against hurricanes &storms, however the island inlet stops thesediment reaching the coastline and beach.

Cultural services Recreation a lot of people come to thebeach to sunbath and the activities that areavailable. A sense of place -

Economic services Tourism people visit and spend money inhotels, restaurants and leisure activitiesUsed for advertisements (plane flying over

the beach with banner)

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