Barefoot Beach
I had a wonderful experience going to Barefoot Beach Preserve. I always enjoys the bus rides, I read on the way there and enjoyed an interesting conversation with my classmates on the way home. I was confused as we drove through all the fancy houses before getting to the preserve itself, but then Professor Mendes explained that Barefoot Beach Preserve was created to protect the beach and surrounding wildlife from being built on. I thought this was great because I am from the East coast of Florida where we do not have anymore mangroves or sand duns to protect our beaches, and when hurricane Hermine hit most of the road along the beach were destroyed (Figure A).
Figure A: Flagler Beach A1A
Mangrove trees are extremely important to the natural Florida ecosystem. The mangrove trees serve to filter the water in the estuaries, they provide mating and birthing grounds along with protection for juvenile fish, and they also keep the beaches from eroding away because of their deep roots. There are three different types of mangrove trees: red, white, and black, but the preserve contained red mangrove trees (Figure B). The estuaries provide many plant and wildlife species to remain even though the housing complex is close by and threaten their habitats. There are a number of birds, tortoises, snakes, frogs, trees, and so much more being preserved at Barefoot Beach. This preserve also aids in keeping wildlife away from humans and the dangers they propose (roads, parked cars that look like shade, etc.).
We saw signs of the natural world all around us as we walked through the trail that lead to the beach (Figure C). The trees were healthy and abundant. There were a few edible berries on some bushes, that I cannot remember the name of , the other students were brave enough to try. There were small crabs scurrying about along the trail, and our professor actually picked one up so we could get a better look (Figure D). None of the students were brave enough to hold the crab themselves though! We learned about the palm trees and the monkey fur that grows on it that can be used to start fires. Also we learned about the boots on palm trees, the little notches that stick out, and that they reason they are called boots is because settlers used to hang their boots off of them to dry!
Figure C: Trail Leading to Barefoot Beach
Figure D: Crab in my Professors Hand
As lovely as the walk was the beach was terrible! As we walked out onto the beach I was attacked by a smell so revolting I did not understand it. Then it became clear where the small was coming from. Among the seaweed the beach was infested with dead, rotting fish (Figure E). It was gross and risky, we had to be careful and watch our step so we did not accidentally step on a nasty dead fish. We learned that the cause of the dead fish epidemic was Red Tide that had poisoned them. Red Tide is one of the effects of having urban areas so close to natural habitats. Red Tide is caused by chemical run off that comes from cars, boats, and even yard fertilizer, and it is toxic for marine life. The beaches in Southwest Florida are also victims are shoreline dredging another cause of beach erosion. Shoreline dredging is when sand is taken from the ocean floor and used for other projects or to replenish beaches that are eroding quickly.
Figure E: Dead Fish
On our walk back to the parking lot area we saw two Gopher Tortoise burrows (Figure F). The first one was empty, but the second one had two tortoises resting in it. The burrows also provide shelter for other animals but if stepped on the burrow will collapse killing all the animals inside. We also saw a Gopher Tortoise walking about and eating some plants (Figure G and H). Our guide told us that the Tortoises have no feeling in their shells which I found fascinating. Also we talked about how people often mistake tortoises for turtles and put them in the water, but tortoises cannot swim and therefore die!! I was aware but i find this to be such important information!
Figure F: Gopher Tortoise Burrow
Figure G: Gopher Tortoise
Figure H: Gopher Tortoise
I think that it is risky to build on barrier islands because they constantly shift with the wind and waves, but I do not think it would be possible to stop progress once it has began. There needs to be a balance of urban structure and nature! If we are going to build in areas we maybe should not we at least need to respect the wildlife. I do think that there can be a balance but greed and corruption are too powerful forces that eclipse the long term need for natural habitats for people's and animal's health.
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