CLIMATE, LAND, SOIL, WATER

Climate and Weather Weather: State of atmosphere at particular times and places Climate: Long-term state of the atmosphere defined by averages and extremes over time Climate vs. Weather Florida is big, so north and south are very different South FL – Subtropical Keys – Tropical North FL – Winter cold fronts, more rain

Temperature and Humidity Gulf of Mexico influences weather patterns Three sides of water: high humidity, a lot of rain Rain helps internal lakes and wetlands Overall lowers temperature Temperature is fairly constant in a day Does range from < 0 to 90 + Rarities: Snow, sleet, hail, and temps above 100

Rain Frequent rain showers, but little rain at one time About 1 inch 53 inches of rain per year, 120 total rain events Rain events: Usually showers, storms per year 75% returns to atmosphere, 25% remains in the sea 1 inch groundwater goes to the sea 1 inch rain replaces groundwater

Regional Differences in Rainfall Western panhandle: 60 inches East coast: 50 inches Seasonal variation as well Dramatic storms may rearrange geology off the area

Rainy and Dry Seasons Alternate wet and dry seasons Wet summers: June – August Dry winters: October – December Regional Differences North FL: Rain December – April South FL: Little rain during the winter Plant/Animal life cycles follow rainy and dry season Plants drop seeds prior to heavy rain Salamanders/Frogs breed during rain

Rainy and Dry Seasons Wetlands Rain provides the water Plants can withstand being submerged for months at a time Dry + Lightning = Fire More lightning in FL per year than any other area of the country Most storms occur in the summer Toward end of dry period, areas are particularly vulnerable Until about May Yearly burns are beneficial in these areas Removes fire-resistant plants Adds nutrients to the soil

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes Cyclone: Spinning wind Wind below 40 mph: Tropical depression Wind mph: Tropical Storm Wind 70+ mph: Hurricane Wind is good! When it knocks down trees…. Provides space for animals Elevated areas for seedlings to grow Storm surges move water inland Erosion May damage man-made structures, but natural ecosystems are adapted to these changes

SURFACE MATERIALS OF FLORIDA

Surface Materials Sediments contribute to: Ravines Banks Flat lakes Caves Sinkholes Springs

Southeastern US Coastal Plain The entire state of Florida! Innermost boundary = the Piedmont Rocky skirt surrounding mountains Specific to southern Appalachian mountains Outermost boundary = the coastline Continental Shelf: Submerged continent offshore Continental Slope: Edge of shelf that drops off to ocean basins

Three Major Sediment Types Marine Limestone and Dolomite At or below surface Contain calcium Deposited when Florida was underwater Clastic Clay, silt, sand, gravel Transported from Appalachian mountains Lie above marine sediments

Three Major Sediment Types Organic On or mixed into surface sediments Thickest in wet areas Capable of supporting plant life Specific moisture characteristics Xeric: Dry, lots of oxygen, rainwater drains away Mesic: Moist, not waterlogged, holds oxygen, drains well Hydric: Wet, low oxygen

Florida Fluctuates Area Edge of peninsula fluctuates rapidly Completely submerged in the past Completely exposed in the past About half of Florida platform is above water today Platform: sedimentary rocks deposited on seafloor for millions of years Underwater villages, forests, swamps, and marshes Sea level currently rising Damages waterfront homes and businesses

Regions of Florida Old shorelines define three regions with different elevation and distance from the coastline Highest Highlands Ridges Upland plains Lower Coastal lowlands Sea level Coastal Zone

Floridan Aquifer System Aquifer: Water holding layer Floridan Aquifer System: Water holding limestone under all of Florida Fresh groundwater, except for underwater areas Rainwater increases acidity – eating away limestone Giant sinkholes…….

TOPOGRAPHY

Topography Shape of the land’s surface Influenced by what the land is made of Influences what lives on the land

Clay Hills North Florida Layers of sandy clay or clayey sand From the mountains Water runs over the top of the land

Sand hills Ancient barrier islands and dunes Previously at the coastline, but moving coastlines have left them stranded inland

Plains Sand all throughout the periphery of Florida

Karst Topography Influenced by dissolving limestone All over Florida Outcrops, depressions, ponds, caves, etc etc etc

Coastal Features Depend on energy of waves and size of slope High-energy areas Steep slop High-energy waves Sand and shells Beaches Low-energy areas Gentle slope Low-energy waves Clay and silt Marshes and swamps

FLORIDA WATERS

Florida Waters Highly variable Interior water From the ground Filtered by limestone Alklaine Clear Cool Swampy water Acidic Red/blck Warm Stream water Cloudy