1. Dune flora and fauna Maia McGuire Florida Sea Grant Extension

2. Beach zonation http://glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

3. Cross section of a beach http:// lighthouse.tamucc.edu

4. Barrier islands are dynamic! Their topography and vegetative profiles result from the interaction of plant growth habits and physical processes – Wind-driven sand movement – Salt spray deposition – Wave driven erosion, accretion, and overwash

5. Wind effects Dunes are built as stems of dune grasses increase the surface roughness, causing the wind to slow and to drop sand grains being moved across the beach Only winds blowing onshore will cause dune formation Like sand, salt spray is carried only by winds blowing onshore across the open water

6. Wave effects Accretion Erosion Overwash Continuous processes-longshore sand transport Single events-winter storms and hurricanes

7. Sand Dunes

8. Physical role of sand dunes Dunes provide protection from storm-induced waves and erosion (e.g. during hurricanes) Dunes are dynamic—they want to shift with long-term processes

9. The role of plants in dunes Dune plants help trap blowing sand, causing sand to create a mound which grows over time.

10. Vegetation Plant species occur in zones parallel to the coast – Upper beach and foredune: most directly affected by wind and waves – Transitional zone/backdunes: same coastal stresses, just at a lower intensity – Stable dunes: the most stable, oldest portion of the barrier island

13. Challenges for dune plants Salty, windy, dry environment – Risk of desiccation Few nutrients Unstable/shifting sand

14. Adaptations of dune plants Many are succulents (have moisture within their leaves) Many have very long roots to reach for moisture and nutrients Flexible stems help withstand wind Hairy leaves help trap moisture

15. Deep roots cannot prevent erosion

16. Beach elder

17. Sea oats

18. Beach/Dune sunflower

19. Railroad vine

20. Beach morning glory

21. Beach croton

22. Pricklypear cactus

23. Beach pennywort (“Dollarweed”)

24. Dune plant ecology Many have both sexual and asexual reproduction If sections of pricklypear are knocked off, they can sprout Sea oats, beach pennywort, railroad vine, beach morning glory spread using rhizomes

25. Activity Leaf rubbings and leaf prints

26. Dunes as animal habitat Back dunes are important habitat for many Florida reptiles and some mammals coastalwildlifeclub.org

27. Gopher tortoise Tortoise = turtle that lives on land Tortoise can pull its legs and head into its shell for protection Gopher tortoise is protected in Florida

28. Gopher tortoise Digs long burrows using its front legs One tortoise may use several burrows Gopher tortoises mostly eat plants, including pricklypears Many other animals can share the burrows (e.g. rattlesnakes, mice, opossums, and rabbits) Burrows average 30 feet long

29. Turtle anatomy Carapace (upper shell) Plastron (lower shell) Scutes (plates that make up the shell) – Medial, lateral, marginal http://zygote.swarthmore.edu/turtle.html

30. Activity Gopher tortoise activity book

31. Snakes E.g. diamondback rattlesnake Body covered in scales (like a fish!) Snakes have no legs…they use their belly scales to move along the ground. Suggestion: Contact Jax herpetological society to see if someone can bring snakes into the classrooms…

32. Activity Spinning snake

33. Anastasia beach mouse Endangered species Found only on Anastasia Island

34. Beach mice Live in burrows—usually dig their own, although they may use abandoned ghost crab burrows Eat seeds (e.g. sea oats)—can help spread dune plants by carrying seeds from one location to another