" A Spartina Marsh Island" EarthCache
" A Spartina Marsh Island"
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
An example of a Spartina Marsh Island and how it was formed.
Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina Alterniflora) is the "Foundation Species" of a salt marsh. It first creates shelter for snails, crabs, conch and fish such as mullet. As the Spartina accumulates sediment, it solidifies and expands a landmass along the coast. In this way, an island is formed. This is a different process from a coral reef island, such as the case with Pine Island to the East.
Sanibel Island and the Bailey Tract formed as a "Barrier Island" about 6,000 years ago, as the sea level changed. There were originally "Rippled Swales" of sand. The Spartina (Cord Grass) arrived as a floating seed or "Rafting plants." As the soil accumulated, a less salt-tolerant grass (Spartina Patens) took hold and the island slowly rose above sea level. Eventually as more plants died and decayed, enough soil was created to allow other non-salt-tolerant plants to thrive. When enough land exists, it can support animals as well. This marsh is very unusual for a barrier island and gives the visitor a glimpse into how the island was formed over a very long period of time. The Bailey Tract (A part of the J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge) is an excellent example of this type of Marsh Island. The Bailey Tract was originally pristine before the "Airplane Canal" was dug and other man-made structures installed. It is currently being restored to its original Spartina Marsh Habitat. The coordinates take you to the parking area for the Bailey Tract. It is free to hikers and bikers every day, from dawn until dusk.
Take time to wander the paths (Please stay on them!) in the tract and gather the answers to the questions from the information plaques you will encounter along the way.
Please email me the answers to the following questions to earn your Smiley.
1 Is all the water in the Bailey Tract canals salt or fresh?
2 In 1952, who assisted in buying the Bailey Tract?
3 Is there a coral reef under this marsh?
4 How does the marsh aid in flood protection?
5 How is the refuge management recreating the old habitat?
Permission to place this cache was given by the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Congratulations to Greyhound Crazy on her FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ernq gur grkg PNERSHYYL naq Ybbx sbe gur cyndhrf nybat gur cnguf sbe gur nafjref gb gur dhrfgvbaf.