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 the ridge. 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: 1 Plant Identified: Marram Grass Dead vegetation/leaf litter Sand Dune Sunflower Marram Grass Bare soil Marram Grass Dead vegetation/leaf litter Unidentified plant 1 Unidentified plant 2 Knot Grass Dead vegetation/leaf litter Bare sand Rock Salt water Percentage Cover: 70% 5% 25% 30% 60% 10% 50% 10% 15% 25% 30% 25% 15% 25% 5%

BIRD SURVEY:
Bird Species: Cormorant Laughing Gull Pelican Great Blue Heron Tree Swallow Royal Tern Number: 2 12 3 1 3 7

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:
Ecosystem Service: Provisioning services ornamental Provisioning services food (fish) Regulatory services water regulation Regulatory services natural hazard regulation Regulatory services erosion regulation Regulatory services decomposition Regulatory services maintenance of biodiversity Cultural services recreation and tourism Regulatory services aesthetic experiences Regulatory services science and education Supporting services soil formation Supporting services primary production Supporting services nutrient cycling Supporting services photosynthesis Supporting services provision of habitats What provides this service and how? Shells Sea (human activity survey) Buffer from run-off from car park Beach and vegetation on dune dissipate tidal energy and can reduce storm surges from hurricanes Vegetation stabilises the dune Leaf litter identified (largely on dune) Not a monoculture of Marram Grass although it does dominate there are various species of plants See human activity section Views from the beach out onto the ocean On dunes Low Plants and leaf litter present Dune is vegetated Benthic communities, wading birds (bird survey)

ANY OTHER DATA COLLECTED:

Will put up the pictures of each transect site and the two unidentified plants.

EMERSON POINT MANGROVE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:
Pools of stagnant water 10cm deep Lots of root nodules currently unidentified Moist peaty and clay soil type Water table is at or very near to land level Thick undergrowth, lots of shoots, lots of mangroves. Trees are dense and tightly packed together. Few palms and sea grapes. Log matter in saline water Lizards spotted Some clearings in the forest Salt 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 136230/354650 80% canopy cover 4 red mangroves 2 white mangroves 25/30 black mangrove shoots Waxy/oval leaves High amounts of dead leaf and plant matter Hanging branches Dead horseshoe crab 2 grid reference 136260/354700 60% canopy cover 2 black mangroves 2 red mangroves 100+ shoots Lots of dead leaf matter/ water at surface/saline Evidence of hurricane fallout

3 - 90% canopy cover 3 red mangroves 3 white mangroves Some Spanish moss 50-100 root nodules, 20 shoots Very damp 50% covered organic/dead matter Detritous Material 4 100% canopy cover 2 higher elevation than other sites 4 red mangroves Dead black mangroves 2 lizards Few root projections Water level a bit below surface level

BIRD SURVEY:
No birds spotted

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:
Storm/hurricane protection Sediment trapping Water quality alteration Nutrient removal Research Air quality Slows flooding Water purification Scientific Soil formation Primary production O production Carbon store De-nitrification Seagrass regulation Sulphur Fishing Aesphetics

EMERSON POINT. COASTAL UPLAND.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:
Flat area with sparse trees but dense grasses. No soil evident at surface. Pavement and road next to area.

SOIL DESCRIPTION:
Coarse, sandy soil with some larger sand particles.

HUMAN ACTIVITY:
Dog-walking / cycling / walking / bird-watching / canoeing / conservation activity (guy cleaning the road & moving stuff with tractor)

QUADRAT SAMPLING:
Size = 3m x 3m Quadrat Number: Q1 Plant Identified: grasses (3 different species) shrubs (4 species) trees (1 species) climbing plants (1 species) short plants (3 species) tall plant (1 species) Q2 trees (2 species) grasses (3 species) shrubs (3 species) short plants (2 species) Q3 shrubs (3 species) trees (2 species) tall plants (3 species) short plants (3 species) grasses (4 species) Percentage cover is approximate. Tree species include: cabbage palm, saw palmetto Short plants include: Black-eyed Susan, Late Bonniset, ferns Percentage Cover: 40% 35% 10% 5% 5% 5% 40% 30% 20% 10% 30% 25% 20% 10% 25%

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

Bird Species: Duck Egret Heron Vulture 7 2 1 2

Number:

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:
Ecosystem Service: Air quality regulation Climate regulation Water regulation What provides this service and how? Intake of carbon dioxide by plants Greenhouse gas sequestration Vegetation cover allowing infiltration, preventing runoff Erosion regulation Binding of soil by plant roots Maintenance of biodiversity Variety of grasses and trees Recreation and tourism Cycling, birdwatching, walking; often passed by vehicles on way to the car park at the end of the point Social relations Bird watching, families Science and education Different ecosystem in relatively close proximity to other habitats allowing comparison Soil formation Limited soil formation due to decay of plant matter little soil formation as soil well drained, very sandy Primary production Growth of vegetation Nutrient cycling Uptake of nutrients by plants, use of nutrients, input to soil by vegetation Photosynthesis (production of atmospheric Grasses and trees oxygen) Provision of habitats Invertebrates, snakes Protection from Suns UV rays Shading from trees, increased near to ground due to dense undergrowth Pollination 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 attract rare birds. Popular with the retired generation. Wood Duck nesting boxes provided on the small lagoon. Wood Ducks nest in summer, high up in the boxes, as there is a decreasing number 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 a greater number of visitors.

EMMERSON POINT. RECREATION.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE: Flat open green space, horses stable on the land and horses grazing in the area. The area was surrounded by houses, as well as forest further in the background. SOIL DESCRIPTION: Sandy, light grey HUMAN ACTIVITY: Many cyclists and cars going by the area. QUADRAT SAMPLING:
Size: 1x1 Quadrat Number: 1 2 3 Plant Identified: 7 6 7 Percentage Cover: 100% Grass 100% Grass 100% Grass

BIRD SURVEY:
Bird Species: Cattle Egret Birds of prey (not sure of species) Number: 17 4

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:
Ecosystem Service: Regulatory services What provides this service and how? Water regulation - Large area of grassland able to provide sufficient to protect the area from flooding. Maintenance of biodiversity regularly grazed by animals, helps manage the vegetation Soil formation - it was evident that the area was sand before but soil is forming, as there is vegetation diversity. There was a stable with horses and the area is primarily used for grazing. Aesthetic services having a home in this area it is an open space homeowners can appreciate. Community development opportunities.

Supporting services

Cultural services

Recreation opportunities-sports activities

ANY OTHER DATA COLLECTED: Info for methods: Quadrat 1 2m from roadside Quadrat 2 30m from roadside Quadrat 3 90m from roadside

FORT DESOTO. BEACH & SAND DUNES.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE: Sandy beach, dune bars with vegetation, surrounds lagoon where sections are protected 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: 1 2 3 Plant Identified: 10 8 8 Percentage Cover: 50% soil 50% vegetation 80% sand 20% vegetation 65% sand 35% vegetation

BIRD SURVEY:
Bird Species: Seagulls Osprey Pelican 30 1 2 Number:

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:
Ecosystem Service: Provisioning services Regulatory services What provides this service and how? Food- fish in the sea, Ornamental resources provided by the sea Natural Hazard regulation Beach acts as a natural buffer zone against hurricane & storm surges. Erosion regulation Vegetation and sand help with absorbing wave energy that would otherwise reach human developments. Recreation & Tourism 100s of people coming to visit the stretch of beach, it cost $5 to enter the area by car. Provision for habitats - shallow water area which act as nursery for juvenile fish. Beach is used by migrant birds for nesting.

Cultural services Supporting services

ANY OTHER DATA COLLECTED: Info for methods: Quadrat 1 20m from beach Quadrat 2 25m from beach Quadrat 3 35m from beach

FORT DESOTO: LAGOON

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:
Small lagoon behind a raised section of beach. Large amount of seagrass in the lagoon with small shrubs bordering it. Lots of crabs and mollusc shells. Larger patches of grass (typically marram) on the beach barrier. Tadpoles and small fish in the lagoon. There are markings on the 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: 1 2 3 4 Plant Identified: Widgeon Grass Sand Widgeon Grass Sand Turtle Grass Sand Unidentified shrub 1 Unidentified shrub 2 Sand Percentage Cover: 5% 95% 10% 90% 95% 5% 3% 2% 95%

BIRD SURVEY:
Bird Species: White Ibis Pelican Royal Tern Laughing Gull Number: 1 2 33 23

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:
Ecosystem Service: Provisioning services ornamental Regulatory services water regulation Regulatory services natural hazard regulation Cultural services recreation and tourism Cultural services aesthetic experiences Cultural services social relations What provides this service and how? Shells Beach barrier See human activity survey See human activity survey

Cultural services science and education Supporting services nutrient cycling Supporting services photosynthesis Supporting services pollination and seed dispersal

Low not a huge amount of vegetation A large amount of seagrass present in the lagoon Mangrove seeds present

ANY OTHER DATA COLLECTED:

FORT DESOTO WOODS HABITAT

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE:
Smooth sloping coast. Gradual increase in land height. Lots of crabs present. Some mangrove areas, but many areas without mangroves. Lots of palm trees, very dense in most areas. 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 the middle. Raised ground in forest with some lower ground, stagnant and muddy water in lower 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 cover 9 red mangroves 2 white mangroves Few young mangroves Abundance of pine trees Dead pine tree matter on forest floor Numerous root nodules present 2 50% canopy cover 5 palm trees Lots of palm litter 3 young trees Climbing species Low level grasses Some shrub matter 3 60% canopy cover 2 short palms 2 tall palms 1 black mangrove

3 red mangroves 1 white mangrove Dead palm leaf matter on forest floor Some other mangrove roots present 30 new growths Sandy soil 4 40% canopy cover 3 tall palms 1 short palm 3 red mangroves 2 white mangroves 50 new shoots Sandy soil leading into pool Dead palm matter Some root nodules Possible succession taking place

BIRD SURVEY:
Bird Species: Ibis 2 Number:

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:
Storm protection Nursery for other species Nutrient removal Oxidisation Biodiversity Air quality Flood protection Aesphetics Scientific research Primary production Nutrient restoration O production Carbon store De-nitrification

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. Litter bins, pavilions, benches.

SOIL DESCRIPTION:
Silty/sandy soil containing organic matter including plant remnants. Generally dry but with some 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)

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 pine Grass species incl: clover, broad-leaf grass, coarse grass, etc

Quadrat Number:

BIRD SURVEY:
Bird Species: Number:

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

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:
Ecosystem Service: Air quality regulation What provides this service and how? Trees and grasses remove carbon dioxide from air Climate regulation Sequestration of carbon dioxide Water regulation Reduction in runoff by vegetation, allowance of infiltration by vegetation Erosion regulation Erosion may occur on bare track through area, prevented where trees and grasses present as roots bind soil Maintenance of biodiversity? Some different grasses and trees, very limited. Squirrels. Recreation and tourism Paths, pavilions, playgrounds, benches, walking, dog walking Aesthetic experiences Wide open space with trees, well lit Social relations Families, dog walking Science and education Comparison to nearby ecosystems Soil formation Organic matter in soil, processes due to vegetation Primary production Vegetation Nutrient cycling Uptake of nutrients by plants, use of nutrients, input to soil by vegetation Photosynthesis (production of atmospheric Grasses and trees oxygen) Provision of habitats Limited; trees may provide nesting for birds, invertebrate habitats Protection from Suns UV rays Shading from trees, human structures (?) Pollination and seed dispersal Seed dispersal and pollen from trees and grasses

ANY OTHER DATA COLLECTED:

St PETES BEACH. BEACH.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SITE: Large open space of Sandy beach, some vegetation areas with signs of management as the area was cordoned off. Highly developed area, T groins on the sea front. Not a natural beach habitat. SOIL DESCRIPTION: Sandy, beige- colour of sand HUMAN 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: Seagulls Great Egret Pelican 40 1 6 Number:

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:
Ecosystem Service: Regulating services What provides this service and how? Natural Hazard regulation - The barrier island acts a buffer against hurricanes & storms, however the island inlet stops the sediment reaching the coastline and beach. Recreation a lot of people come to the beach to sunbath and the activities that are available. A sense of place Tourism people visit and spend money in hotels, restaurants and leisure activities Used for advertisements (plane flying over the beach with banner)

Cultural services

Economic services