This Earthcache is located at The Banana River Park in Cape Canaveral. The park is open from dawn to dusk.
NOTE: This is an earthcache, there is no physical container to find at the coordinates. To get your smiley for the cache you will need to e-mail your answers to the questions below to the cache owner.
The state of Florida has 633 miles of beaches and more than 11,000 miles of rivers, streams & waterways. With all of the water we have in Florida it’s no wonder water erosion can be an issue. In this area specifically a project was completed in 2007 to help slow the erosion of shore along the Banana River by planting red mangroves. The two primary purposes of the project were to 1)stabilize the shoreline by trapping sediment and 2)restore native habitat for fish and wildlife.
Picture of the shore in 2004 before the planting of red mangroves:
Picture of the shore in 2007 after the planting of red mangroves:
What is Erosion?
Erosion is the process by which the surface materials of the Earth get worn down. Natural elements such as wind, water, or ice cause erosion. Water is one of nature’s most powerful elements. Water has the ability to erode by moving materials from one location to another. Water is found everywhere along the surface of the earth which makes the most common and influential cause of erosion.
The three types of water erosion are stream erosion, beach erosion, and erosion by flooding.
1. Stream erosion is evidenced by moving water that flows constantly over the land carrying rock and sediments as it travels. This type of erosion has creased scenes like the Grand Canyon over millions of years.
2. Beach erosion is the wearing away of land and removal of beach sediments by wave action, tidal currents, and wave currents.
3. Flooding erosion is caused by flood waters carrying rock and soil particles that are typically not subjected to high volumes of moving water.
Erosion is constantly happening all around us. Even though we may not see it, the forces of erosion are always re-shaping our earth. A mudslide is an example of quick erosion, but more commonly erosion happens so slowly that we don’t even notice it. Over time, water running downhill not only carves deep canyons but it can literally move mountains.
Erosion Controlling Methods-
Erosion can be controlled by stabilizing the shoreline in a variety of ways. Currently the most effective method for erosion control is soil surface cover. Covering the surface of the soil with rock fragments, mulch, vegetation, or woven matting slows the process of erosion.
1-Rock Fragments- Retaining barrier walls can be made of rocks and/or cement that act as a shield for soil and keeps retained water in a certain area.
2-Mulch- The larger pieces of wood in mulch slows water down and allows the soil underneath to soak water at a slower pace.
3-Vegetation- One of the most common forms of erosion control. Plants act as a protective shield by stabilizing the soil between their roots.
4-Matting- Mats made of wood fibers in rolls. When placed over soil they act as a stabilizer which allows plant fibers and trees to grow through them.
References:
http://world-geography.org/221-erosion.html
http://www.cathylaw.com/virtualESnotes/WeatheringandLandscapes/weatheringnotes.html
http://www.kidsgeo.com/geology-for-kids/0066-mechanical-weathering.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erosion
CONGRATULATIONS TO WAPITIWOMAN and ROBEAGL FTF!!!
Standing at the icon coordinates answer the following questions:
1- What is the time of day of your visit and the weather conditions?
2- What type of water erosion do you think is happening here (stream erosion, beach erosion, and erosion by flooding)?
3- From your observation of the shoreline what types of erosion control is used at this location (rock fragments, mulch, vegetation, or matting)?
4- Based on your observation of the area and thinking the barrier has been in place since 2007, would you say this barrier is effective in slowing water erosion?
5- Give your reasons why or why not you think the barrier has been effective.
Thank you for visiting this earthcache. Please send your answers to the above questions to the cache owner. In your "found it" log feel free to write about your experience, but don't include the earthcache answers. Thanks and we hope you enjoy the beautiful Banana River!
