Grassy Waters...a view to the past EarthCache

First and Second logging requirements: As of 7/2/2016, please visit the sign on droughts. The coordinates are N26 48.548, W080 10.180, it is located in the parking lot. A drought is a prolonged shortage of water. Email me the four things impacted by a drought. Also email me how many BLUE months there were in the drought from 1/2006 to 5/2007.

Now walk to N26 48.498, W080 10.196. As you walk along the boardwalk, notice the trees along the way: cypress, cabbage palm, and pine. Look down and see the cypress knees. The purpose of these knees has been often thought to be to provide oxygen to the roots and to provide structural support and stabilization. The latter seems to be the dominant reason as those trees found in a flooded or flood-prone area tend to be buttressed or 'kneed'. Once you leave the 'forest', you will be amidst a vast open area of 'grassy waters'. Third logging requirement, from the info on the plaque at the coordinates, please tell me where the carbon remains stored.


At the coordinates N26 48.484, W080 10.166, you will find another informational plaque describing the 'Cypress Dome Formation". Off in the distance, you can see small stands of trees or 'cypress domes'. They occur in areas of longer hydroperiods. The predominant tree is, of course, cypress...either the bald cypress or pond cypress. Cypress dome or cypress head refers to the phenomenon that the larger cypress grow in the middle of the dome, and then get progressively smaller as you go out from the center. Underneath these domes there is actually an inverted dome or depression. This area used to be part of our Florida Everglades, today it is part of the city of West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area. Fourth logging requirement, email me the reason the trees on the edges of a cypress dome are stunted compared to the trees in the center of the dome.