Loggerhead Park consists of two habitats: maritime hammock and Florida scrub.
Maritime hammocks are the result of coastal dunes that have had enough time to establish a more developed soil. The area can support hardwood plants such as the Gumbo Limbo tree due to a specific bedrock known as Limestone Anastasia. This bedrock is a remnant of an ancient coral reef system when this area of Florida was under the ocean. Calcareous soils contain much calcium carbonate from underlying chalk or limestone rock. Hammocks are also often classified as hydric (wet soil), mesic (moist soil) or xeric (dry soil).
Wpt. #1: N26 53.139, W080 03.349
1. What would you classify this hammock’s soil as?
Tropical Florida Coastal Scrub differs from Maritime Hammock in that the soil is much sandier. Coastal scrub habitat occurs in scattered locations on Barrier islands, dunes and sand ridges on both the east and west coasts. This type of habitat is positioned between the dune line on the ocean side and maritime forest or mangroves on the landward side, it is characterized by the absence of a tree canopy with areas of open sand, dominate plants are low growing shrubs and herbs. These areas have xeric soils.
An Ecotone is a transitional zone between two habitats. At this point, you can see the abrupt change between the Tropical Hardwood Hammock and the Florida Coastal Scrub communities. Several factors play roles in the change in species that inhabit these two communities.
Wpt. #2: N26 53.174, W080 03.366
2. Name three factors that affect the change in the species abundance.
Barrier Islands provide important protection for mainland Florida by acting as a buffer from high winds and surf that may result from hurricanes or other naturally occurring storms. You are standing on one of the highest natural features in Palm Beach County. This elevated scrub habitat is part of an ancient sand dune ridge and is the only remaining example of the Florida Scrub ecosystem that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway.
Wpt. #3: N26 53.334, W080 03.462
3. Name two characteristics of Florida Coastal Scrub soils.
4. What is your elevation reading at this point? (see sign if you need help)
5. How do the two soil types differ in color and texture?
Optional activity: Post a picture of yourself at the highest point!
Thanks to Melissa Tolbert Senior Environmental Analyst Palm Beach County for her approval of the placement of the Earthcache.