This is an Earthcache; there is no physical container to find. Visit the location and submit the required answers to me via my Profile (Message Center or Email) BEFORE you log a Find. Do NOT post the answers in your log (including spoiler photos).
Barrier islands separate a lagoon or marsh from the ocean; in this case, Hutchinson Island separates the Indian River Lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean. Hutchinson Island is believed to have originally been a sandbar, with the Atlantic Ridge (where Indian River Drive is now located) being the previous barrier island and the Savannas having been the previous equivalent of the Indian River Lagoon. As ocean levels fell, the Savannas became an landlocked marsh and the barrier island system shifted east.
Hutchinson Island is a typical barrier island that can be divided into three sections between the ocean and lagoon/marsh: the beach, the dunes, and the overwash aka back dune.
Beach dunes are naturally occurring features essential for the stability of the coast, especially on a barrier island. Beach dunes need four factors to form: dry sand, tides, onshore wind, and obstacles. Sand that is able to dry out, especially during low tide, is blown by onshore wind. Obstacles like dune grass slow the onshore wind as it moves inland, causing sand to be deposited in the dunes. Deep-rooted vegetation such as sea oats and sea grapes help hold this sand in place.
Invasive plants can choke out native species, causing the sand to be trapped too well and preventing it from rejuvenating the beach after storm erosion. Human development can be even worse, removing dunes and preventing new dunes from forming. This allows the sand to blow away rather than be trapped in the dunes. In either case, the disruption of the dunes' natural rejuvenation of beach can alter the shape and texture of the beach thus decreasing the amount dry sand area during low tide and further impairing dune formation.
The dunes provide a habitat for a variety of species and are the nesting ground for sea turtles.
Required Tasks
The posted coordinates will bring you to the parking area. You will need to located a sign at the trailhead and a group of signs by the boardwalk to get the information required for this cache.
1) Hutchinson Island Coastal Trail. Read the sign at the trailhead. "Highlighted here several unique and rare coastal plant communities..." What 4 habitats are listed?
You do not have to walk this trail to complete the Earthcache, but doing so is highly recommended.
Proceed to the signs at the boardwalk.
2) Barrier Island Dynamics: according to this sign, what moves sand along the coastline?
Hint: three words.
3) Anatomy Of A Dune: what are the 3 components of a dune listed?
4) Find the signs talking about sea turtles that nest on the beaches of barrier islands such as this one. What are the 4 species of sea turtle listed?
Optional Tasks
5) Post a photo of the ocean taken during your visit to this beach and/or a photo of yourself on the beach.
6) If the beach is suffering from erosion problems, post a photo of the erosion.
Congrats to Neibers for FTF! Very appropriate since it was their "Going Greene" cache that brought me to this beach.